A Prayer For Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa ©Dawn Minott

On By Dawn MinottIn Poetry

Beforeword: Hurricane Melissa is inching toward Jamaica. Jamaica often feels larger than life — bold in color, rich in sound, unbreakable in spirit. But right now our island feels really really small. Vulnerable. Exposed beneath the vast expanse of this storm, a reminder just how fragile we are, floating out here in the Caribbean Sea. Climate change has turned the balance we once took for granted into these unprecedented storms. This is my prayer — for Jamaica, for our people — it’s linked to our national anthem. It’s also a prayer for the planet we all share.

Eternal Father, bless our land,
Guard us firmly with Thy hand —
From the storm, protect this night,
Respond to our cry with all Thy might.
Melissa creeps across the deep,
Slow and heavy — no rest, no sleep.

Our little island, tallawah, proud,
Feels small beneath this swelling cloud.
Swirling spirals, fierce and loud,
Thunder speaks — the heavens bowed.
O God of storm and stillness, heed,
Cover our homes, our lives—indeed.

Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through these dark hours.
We still believe in mercy’s flame,
We call upon Your holy name.
No roof can stand this raging test,
No road can outrun so much of rain’s unrest.
And if the power fails us at night,
We’ll hum our hope by candlelight.

For we’ve seen dawn break disaster’s chain,
From wild Gilbert to Ivan’s reign.
We’ve seen joy rise after pain —
O spare us, Lord, from loss again.
Let mercy move swifter than storm’s form,
Let peace command winds to deform.

And when the tempest’s fury’s through,
Let rainbows tell what You can do:
You kept us — a symbol like Noah’s dove,
As You always do — Jah-mek-yah, land we love.

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In creative solidarity, Dee

33 thoughts on “A Prayer For Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa ©Dawn Minott”

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    1. Thanks for your care!!! We made it through. There is a lot of rebuilding to do. This is where the resilient spirit of Jamaicans will be needed, buoyed up by the support from our government and the many friends globally.

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