Pray for Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation  in the Caribbean.
It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about 90 miles south of Cuba, and 119 miles west
of Hispaniola (which contains Haiti and the Dominican Republic).

The population is over 2 million.
Kingston is the country's largest city and the capital.

FACTS
Jamaica is the 3rd largest island in the Caribbean.

Jamaica was once part of the British West Indies.

Reggae music came from the Kingston area.

In the past Jamaica has sent many missionaries throughout the Caribbean.

DEMOGRAPHICS
76.3% African descent
15.1% Afro-European
3.4% East Indian and Afro-East Indian
3.2% Caucasian
1.2% Chinese and Afro-Chinese
0.8% Other.

62.5% Protestant
2.6%  Catholic
1-5%  Rastafari

HISTORY
Jamaica's first inhabitants were the Amerindian Taíno who named the island Xaymaca:
(Land of Wood and Water, or Land of Springs)

During the 15th century Jamaica became a Spanish possession and was called Santiago.
The Taino population was decimated due to slavery and exposure to European dieseases.
African slaves were imported to work plantations.

In 1655 the island became an English colony and was re-named Jamaica.
Fo two hundred years Jamaica was one of the world's leading sugar-exporting,
slave-dependent nations

When the slave trade was abolished in 1807, the British imported Indian and Chinese workers as indentured servants.

Jamaica became independent in 1962.

CONDITIONS
The majority of the population is of African descent.

Many Jamaicans have immigrated to other countries, especially to Canada, the UK and U.S.

The large number of Jamaicans living abroad has become known as "The Jamaican Diaspora."

Three major industries of Jamaica are agriculture, mining and tourism.

The island is known for its music, art and cuisine.

Although tourism continues to boom the market of sugar and bananas has dropped.
This has caused the the economy to weaken.
Many live in poverty

There have been problems with government corruption.

Violence and crime are growing problems.
Many South American drug cartels, use Jamaica as a shipment point for cocaine.
There are a lot of problems with gangs.
The homicide rate has become very high

Domestic violence has become widespread.


SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
62.5% of the population is Protestant
2.6% is Catholic
1-5% is Rastafari (24,020)

Most of the population are members of Christian denominations.
Jamaica has one of the world's highest number of churches per square mile,

The majority of self-proclaimed Christians don't attend church or lead a Christian life.

Most churches don't have anything to do with the poor.

As part of an anti-corruption drive, the government has invited greater participation from churches.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that the economy improves.

Pray that corruption ceases.

Pray that drug trafficking be stopped.

Pray that gangs and cartels be stopped.

Pray for those who have suffered at the hands of gangs

Pray that domestic violence cease.

Pray that the violence and crime will be stopped.

Pray that the churches will undergo a revival.

Pray that the churches will reach out to those who have nothing.

Pray that church leaders will reject comporomise.

Pray that God will work through the students attending Bible schools
and use them to give fresh life and vision to the whole of the Caribbean.

Pray that members of the Rastafari will come to know Jesus, the true King of Kings.

Pray that the political and spiritual leaders will have the courage
and wisdom to turn their country around.