Mac calls for mass prayer on court house steps
(CNS): During a long day of business in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday the premier noted many times that he believed God would help the Cayman Islands to come through the current difficult situation. During a heated debate in the evening between government and opposition, McKeeva Bush said on several occasions that “God is going to help us,” but during Thursday morning’s session he made a wider call on the country to come together, “get on their knees”, and to ask God’s help with the budget and the current crime situation. Calling on everyone, including non church goers, he said there would be a mass prayer meeting on the Court House steps on 1 April.
Bush called for all churches in Cayman to participate in a mass meeting to pray for young people and the increase in crime that the country is currently experiencing. He said this gathering of churches would take place at the Court House on Thursday at 5:30pm.
“The country is experiencing an economic recession and the situation of rising crime is most worrisome to me as premier and is a matter of importance,” Bush said, adding that work was being done by the National Security Council, headed by the governor, examining every aspect of criminality
He asked all the churches to put aside whatever they were doing and to come to the mass prayer with all their congregations to pray for the young people and for the increase in crime.
“There is much to be done by every person in this country in what we are experiencing,” Bush told the Legislative Assembly. “I truly believe that, as the Bible says, ‘If my people will humble themselves and call on my name I will heal their land.’”
Pastor Al Ebanks is organizing the service and Bush stated that Pastor Manzanores will be asked to speak.
Category: Local News
Well, I slept through everything. How did the prayers go? Any pics? was it cancelled?
"I truly believe that, as the Bible says, ‘If my people will humble themselves and call on my name I will heal their land.’”
Actually what the Bible says is:
2 Chron 7:14-16:
“If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15 My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place.”
Genuine repentance is required.
I think that the only way to get the premier off of his a** is to do the opposite.
Lets spread the word not to attend his ‘April fools Service’. If we do not attend, we can show him that we want action, not an act of God as he is looking for. God is God. God is there to help you if you are also willing to help yourself, not others. He is amazing, but does not give you miracles.
It would be a good time to get an independant to draft a letter to the people of these islands and tell them not to attend, tell them we want action!
Does anyone know an independant that is willing to start this off? It will be good for the independant themselves.
We need an independant running these countries, as we can see that parties are not working, and have not been for many terms now. We need fresh blood in there.
XXXXX
CNS: The answer to your question is no – we just report the news.
Awesome! National day of prayer; now we can pray for McKeeva to resign from his post as Premier. That’s an excellent prayer in my opinion…
"God save us from religion…"
I echo a political commentator bemoaning the negative influences (from all too fallible humans in the positions of influence).
Coming from a very religious upbringing, I am appalled at the suggestion for a public prayer spectacle… and embarrassed for Cayman.
I am also appalled at the continuation of the "Culture of Victim" implied in this…
YES! to using private prayer to gather your strength and spirit against adversity.
NO! to use of public prayer like this (implying helplessness against issues when there are still measures [perhaps unpleasant] still to try, just encouraging more passivity (Woe unto us!!!) and less initiative.
Cayman, take a lesson from earlier generations who went out and got the job done – quietly, with dignity and fortitude.
Time to gird the loins…
It is real obvious that we have a lot of people that dont believe in God. I hate to tell you people that the best minds in Cayman has been working at this problem since at least July of last year and have not come up with proper solutions. The problem is that while we have had a year to try and solve the problem it took many years and many governments to put us in the situation we are in today. The PPM will take the fall for it as they supposedly put the final nail in put they are not the only ones to blame.
I just hope after we all get up from praying that we dont sit right back down and wait for God to do something. My prayer would be clarity in thinking and planning a way out of this mess.
McKeeva, Julianna-Oconnor-Connolly-Conner, Pastor Al and the rest of God’s official representitives here in Cayman crack me up.
The funny thing is not that they chose April Fool’s Day to hold their seance or whatever it is.
What’s funny is that their god specifically condemns precisely the sort of public spectacle they are planning.
Here’s a wee bit of the Good Book that you may want to review, fellas. Might be wise to give it a once over before you do your jabbering at the sky and foaming at the mouth show in George Town on April 1st:
Gospel of Matthew chapter 6, verses 5-6:
What a mess!
A prayer meeting led by McKeeva, Pastor Al and Miss Julie.
Cayman has people dictating to us and comparing the Bible to the Koran boy we are in trouble. Who brought these people in here to this country!
Sheri, we do not want any more athiests and agnostics coming here wo will eventually vote against our morals and against the principles of God. the might dollar is not what we need. We need God. You yourself came up in a Christian Family, are o going to lower your standard,. Its time to raise the Bar!
We have known God all our lives for centuries and here we have someone telling us what God says in His word. Great Day!
For those of you making fun of Mr. Bush and Juliana, you are treading on dangerous ground;. Say what you feel about Gods people but when you start making fun of them, God comes off his throne and deals with you.check out the Book of Kings where some children mocked Elisha they said "Go UP thou Ball Head" The she bears came and ate them up!
some of you are about to be eaten up by the sword and you don’t even know it. Im neither a PPM nor a UDP, I’m independent but I’m not going to sit here on this forum and have you ridicule People who testify of the Greatness of God and who God is to them. There is where we draw the line!
Mr. Bush, it would suit you and the rest of us Caymanians that elected you to lead as the man of god you say you are. simply put it, STOP ALLOWING OR GRANTING ENTRY INTO OUR COUNTRY THESE ATHIESTS, LEFT WING LOW CLASS CHILD PREDITOR MINDED, ANTI-CHRIST, MINDED PEOPLE THAT IS MAKING YOUR JOB HARDER AND THAT IS SINKING OUR SOCIETY INTO THE MUD. STOP IT!!
START SCREENING THESE PEOPLE THOROUGHLY.
SELLING WORK PERMITS, INCREASING CRIME AND TAXING THE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR AN ALCATRAZ IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY TO IMPRISON THESE XXXXXX IN IS NOT FAIR TO US.
YOU CAN DO BETTER, BY NOT GRANTING ENTRY INTO THIS COUNTRY TO THESE LOW LIVES. WE NEED TO ALSO FIND A REASON TO REVOKE THEIR RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP AND GET THEM OUT OF HERE.
WE ARE TIRED OF THEM OPPOSING OUR GODLY PRINCIPLES AND SO SHOULD YOU. GOD DID NOT SAVE YOU TO SELL WORK PERMITS TO PEOPLE WHO POINT THEIR FINGER INTO GODS FACE AND THE FACES OF OUR CLERGY AND MINISTERS ASSOCIATION! IF YOU’RE SAVED, ACT LIKE IT !
Cayman has people dictating to us and comparing the Bible to the Koran
od comes off his throne and deals with you.check out the Book of Kings where some children mocked Elisha they said "Go UP thou Ball Head" The she bears came and ate them up!
Funnily enough this story is also in the Koran and the Torah. And the Book of Kings pre dates the birth of Christ, so these people were not Christians.
{{sigh}}
STOP ALLOWING OR GRANTING ENTRY INTO OUR COUNTRY THESE ATHIESTS, LEFT WING LOW CLASS CHILD PREDITOR MINDED,
Actually nearly all the paedophiles convicted in Cayman have been Caymanian and frequently attend church.
Good luck meetign your maker while you are filled with such hatred for your fellow man
"Funnily enough this story is also in the Koran and the Torah. And the Book of Kings pre dates the birth of Christ, so these people were not Christians."
The poster said "the people of God" , not "Christians" so I am afraid that that is non-point. You do understand, don’t you, that Christians worship the God of the Bible and are therefore His people?
"Actually nearly all the paedophiles convicted in Cayman have been Caymanian *and frequently attend church*".
The former may be true but I am confident that you have no statistical basis for the latter claim. I can think of three convicted child molesters in recent times and none of these were frequent church goers. What hatred you have against Christians.
"The former may be true but I am confident that you have no statistical basis for the latter claim."
I can name several pedophiles that weren’t convicted or even taken to court because the victims were embarassed or family hid it and they were all in church. Of course, I doubt CNS would publish them.
" I can think of three convicted child molesters in recent times and none of these were frequent church goers. What hatred you have against Christians.’
Once again the Caymanian pedophiles weren’t even tried. Only the foreign pedophiles get convicted and/or taken to court.
By the way, I’m a Caymanian but I really hate hippocrisy.
GOD’s Laws are given to us in the BIBLE and the KORAN, but since WE know better than GOD, we have chosen to do things OUR way …..
…… and now WE are to PRAY for his help and guidance? What’s wrong with this picture?
BOTH Koran & Bible say to administer Corporal and Capital Punishment where applicable.
If we are such a true ‘Christian Society’ then we wouldn’t be in this mess.
"Whip them often, and Hang them high" works for me.
ps. What happened to the ‘Separation of Church and State’?
Allah’s laws were given in the Koran. Yahweh’s laws were given in the Bible. Allah and Yahweh are not the same.
This is beyond a joke and is laughable apart from this is from the Cayman Islands leader! Mr. Bush – you wanted this position,, it has never been imposed on you.. YOU want to be in the same league as Obama and Mr. Brown (all leaders) What do think the reaction would be if either of them would call out on CNN – Breaking news we are calling on God to sort out our problems!! They would quickly be replaced. Prayer is between the individual and God. God sees and hears everything but will only help if you are willing to help yourself.
I have family and friends calling us asking if this man is for real? They are worried as they can read on websites the deterioration of the island we have chosen as our home…..Murder, Abductions, Bombs, Robberies, Home invasions,,,, for god sake – this is an island,, there is nowhere to hide! Our elected leader wants the nation to pray???????
There are deep issues going back to simply issues such as proper up brining, , lack of knowledge in safe sex? Why does young girls have several kids by as many fathers??? In Europe we call that sluts and the children’s bastards… (sorry, its true)
No tax = no social welfare = crimes – why are you so scared of a national lottery?
It would help to solve so many problems as the gangs that allegedly fighting for these illegal numbers will have no business as it would be legalized and the government would benefit. DO YOU THINK A NATIONAL LOTTERY WILL MAKE YOU LESS OF CHRISTIAN???? I think not…
I could just go on and on,, my point is every country (regardless of size) needs a strong leader,,, I’m not sure who would be a suitable leader but the country needs a strong person who will take leadership and accountability for his administration and start living in the present and stop looking back on who did what and who’s mess his is left to deal with. I think a strong woman would be better suited as they are know to be able to multitask.
Whoever is the leader,, and at present it is Mr. Bush- Take charge. Take Responsibility – ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THEN WORDS!!!!
PS,, You people that get’s off from correcting peoples grammar,, – get a life!!! Is ones opinion worth less just because it is spelled wrong??? I speak 8 languages but my spelling is poor but you can understand me true? Focus on the real issue and stop trying to smart even though I bet You feel so good and superior in correcting others dahhh….)
At least he has realised that crime in our beloved islands has become a major problem, however its quite funny that this prayer session is to be held on April 1st…lets hope its not an April Fool’s day joke!
By the way, there’s a saying that God helps those who help themselves!
It is said that God helps those who help themselves.
Here are a few things that Cayman can do.
Increase the punishment of criminals. Remove the prison option of working, and require all prisoners to work. Introduce hard labor for all repeat offenders.
Police the streets with armed foot patrols to reduce the opportunity for crime and be positioned to apprehend criminals on the spot.
Streamline prosecution, especially for repeat offenders, and then sentence them to months or years of hard labor.
Bring back the death penalty, at least for heinous crimes and dangerous repeat offenders. Who needs them anyway?
Has Premier Bush had some sort of breakdown im not being nasty just really concerned – How does this look to the global community – lets solve our economic problems and crime explosion by having a prayer session on the court house steps led by the leader of government
We are meant to be encouraging companies to invest in this country statements like the one he has made is going to make them think again -Cant see Mr Travers etc joining him for the prayer session
id be very interested to hear tony travers view re the prayer initiative – for someone who is very vocal about what needs to be done re cayman he has been very quiet re this latest suggestion – or has he been stunned into silence …….. now that would be a first
I wouldn’t pay this joker in washers. What must the rest of the world think of a leader of one of the biggest finacial centers whose answer to gunmen is to ask god to solve it. How stupid can you be? look at your history books, if it didn’t work for 6,000,000 jews why should this man in the sky help a few money grabbing caribbeans?
You have got to be kidding me! I asked if this was an April Fool’s joke and was told it wasn’t. I guess the next thing is calling in the shamans, gurus and exorcists to get rid of Cayman’s demons. I guess it’s easier to blame God for your ills then do something about it. Good luck with that!
as soon as God pays my CUC bill, I will beleive that he will answer the call to deal with all the low life scum this society has groomed over the last 3 decades.
And I’ll bet he blames God when the killings and armed robberies continue.
Mr. Bush what you are doing is biblical….
King David sometimes displayed the worst kind of example for most people like the pharisees or sadducees however in the end he was a man after Gods own heart.
Why? He would fast, pray to God and read the book of life (The Holy Bible) for help before making a decision
"I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you lock on earth will be locked on heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be opened in heaven."
Don’t wait too long again next time to call for cooperate prayer
F.S.H
You see this where the internet is great at disproving christians.
The quote from Rudd sounded familiar, in fact I remembered something from a visit there before anyone had heard of Rudd, a quick google revealed that John Howard had said the exact same thing. It was a spam email someone created , stuck his picture on and mass mailed it. A few years later the identical thing put a picture of Rudd on it.
A quick google would prevent you spreading miss information but then again thats whatchristians do anyway.
Another fact is only 64% of Australians are christian, 30% non religious and the rest from the other ones.
Just rmember it’s christians doing the killings, not the aethiests.
What a silly statement – its christians doing the killings. Whatever they may be they are obviously not christians as they have no regard for either God or man.
"You see this where the internet is great at disproving christians" = prejudice.
The internet does provide the resources to combat inaccurate information whatever the source. It does not "disprove Christians".
Excellent post!
Thanks for your words of wisdom.
I did forget to add a very important part of that verse, which you rightly said, that we also must repent of our wicked ways as individuals (including the leader and officials) and as a nation.
Caymanians have ‘No Place to Go’?
Now that’s just not true. Caymanians can apply for a British Passport. this will allow them, for just the cost of the airfare, to go to the UK. Once there, Caymanians can apply for unemployment benefit, and go on the list for council housing. If they prefer to find employment, then the employee benefits of living in a progressive nation kick in: months of paid maternity leave, paternity leave, paid sick leave, an average of 20 days paid vacation a year. Should the UK not suit, the British Passport allows the holder to freely travel and work within the European Union, such as Ireland, France, Germany… it’s really not that bad. Colder in the winter months, for sure. But then, the trade off is that you get much milder summers and no hurricanes. So you don’t have to be fearful.
why would I want to leave Cayman, my home, to go to a place to which people never want to return
The Lord, Mr. Bush, helps those who help themselves. It is time for you sir, to rise from your knees, put away your passport and traveling feet, stop playing to people’s weaknesses, and GET TO WORK. Mister Governor, shame on you sir for remaining silent in the face of all these news stories, unresponsive and seemingly indifferent to the policing needs of these islands. You need to communicate better We need leaders who are willing to lead, or to leave.
I hope CITN covers the April Fool’s Mass Prayer. The whackjobs will be speaking in tongues and jumping up and down. It will be a spectacle for sure. I would go but I’m scared. They might grab me and burn me alive or something.
Please film it CITN. We wanna see the show!
God is good all the time, he has also told us seek him while he is near I just hope we have not gotten ourselves too far from him. God can and will save us but we must truly repent and turn from our wicked ways.
Caymanians God is speaking to us; be still and listen. We need to turn full circle and refocus our lives on the things that are of God.
My message to unbelievers, with God all things are possible.
My message to Cayman, God does not always give us what we want but will always give us what we need.
I wish you all God’s blessings.
Prayer is the key answer to many situations, but it takes a people who are willing to humbly submit themselves before Almighty God, turning from their wickedness, and earnestly believing that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
God is not a God that should be mocked, or USED to compensate for man’s foolish ways. Too many times this nation has been warned and we fly in God face with cynical remarks. Now that the fire is right in our doorways is when we choose to seek Him. Don’t be surprised if He simply refuses to answer. The people of Sodom revelled in their sin and even though they too were warned to TURN, they continued to bask in sin. What was thier outcome – DESTRUCTION. Are we willing to suffer the fate, or TURN whilst we still have the chance.
Cayman stop pushing buttons you have no control over.
Good point – He might "refuse to answer" the prayers.
I said two prayers this morning; one to the Tooth Fairy and one to the Pixie who lives in my yard. They will "refuse to answer". Can you work out why?
While the tooth fairy is a figment of your imagination, God is the creator of the universe who does and has answered many prayers sometimes miraculously.
The point is that God is not a genie. You do not simply get to rub the bottle and your wish is his command. We must live in obedience to him and then we can expect his attention to our prayers. You should try it.
Tell me again why God would want to help Cayman out? What is Caymans contribution to the world? Cayman should start their prayers by asking for forgiveness.
exactly!…because the very nest day cayman will go back to it’s main business of tax evasion and will continue it’s unchristian attitude to gays, expats…etc.
Cayman’s main business is not "tax evasion". The days of that are long since past. However, if it was, the main persons who have perpetrated it and benefitted from it are expats. There is a lot of repentance required all around, not just from the ‘evil’ Caymanians.
And while we’re all on our bended knees praying downtown….our homes will be broken into?
Maybe we should sacrifice a goat while we’re at it?
I’ll pass thanks.
The people elected someone to be their Premier.
Not High Priest.
This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so damn scary! Has he lost his mind?
Prayer is great and all…..but…..how about you actually do something. As in, take physcial steps to address the issues that face these islands. After all…. "God helps those who help themselves"….right?
They are not mutually exclusive.
Prayer is great and all…..but…..how about you actually do something. As in, take physcial steps to address the issues that face these islands. After all…. "God helps those who help themselves"….right?
CNS…please tell me this an April Fool’s joke.
It is not like the Premier is not doing anything. He is. Of course everyone is focused on the prayer part but in the same article he says that the National Security Council is meeting and looking at legislative changes. The security of this country is not the ambit of the Premier or the members of the Legislative Assembly. That responsibility lies with the Governor. It is the Governor’s call as to whether he feels that additional resources are needed to combat the upsurge in crime that is currently going on in the Cayman Islands. Perhaps it would be good if the Governor as well as the RCIP hold a press conference and let the people of the country know what steps are being taken to combat the lawlessness which seems to be going out of control. In addition, what are the people of Cayman doing? Has anyone contacted Crime Stoppers in relation to the daylight murders? I am sure that people know the reasons why these 2 latest victims were targeted and killed. I have only 2 words: Next Level
LMFAO IS HE FA REAL???????????????/
Sadly he is.
When policies are getting you nowhere, when the police have lost control, when all around you are losing their heads (quite literally in some cases), then all one can do is whip up a little fundamentalism and put the future of the islands in the hands of a fictional character.
God answers prayers, or so my grandmother believed. Actually my mother believed it as well, but she always said the problem with that was that some people just wouldn’t accept "no" as an answer.
I had to read the article several times, but sure enough it says "pray to God for the increase in crime". Shouldn’t we be praying for a DECREASE? God has a sense of humour, so be careful what you ask for.
I see the Premier will also take the opportunity to pray for the budget. Will he be asking for a "love" offering (in the form of $25 bills) at this prayer session? Or is he going to ask God to tell him what number to play in the Florida Lotto?
Instead of having to call everyone back at a later date, and while he has God’s ear, shouldn’t he also ask about keeping away hurricanes this year? I have lots of mango trees and pear trees that I would like to get some fruit from this summer and I would like to take a break from preparing every weekend.
I think I now understand why he is not having the "session" until April 1st; it will give us time to come up with a much bigger listof all the things that we need so we don’t have to go back to God begging again before Christmas.
Dear God, I almost forgot. I would also like a nice fishing boat, maybe something like the Lady Kerry.
Prayer without faith??? Faith without works??? I pray we have faith and take action to what we pray. If this is for ‘show’ then we cannot possibly expect change if we are not genuine. Let’s be real about this.
Oh, oh…..at least now we know why Mac has been flying around the World non-stop since May 20th……obviously he’s been talking with God up there in that first class section!!
Mr Premier please assist me in making my prayer because I am struggling in exactly what I am to ask for. Here’s how I started it:
Dear Lord I come before you a sinner fully realizing I am not worthy of standing before you. I am here to ask you to lay your hands upon me and my family and protect them and guide them in their decisions and that those decisions may find grace with you. I am also here my Lord asking you to remove the criminal element away from our country and return us to the peaceful nation that we once was in times past.
After reading it back I was really concerned that we may loose half of our MLAs. Can you think of a way in which I can word this that would single out only criminal, whoops there I go again speaking about our politicians also. I mean the people killing, raping and murdering people? Can you help me?
Really I think you should stop trying to get votes and start doing what we need to do to stop this criminal behavior. Bring in a task force and get rid of these thugs.
Mr Bush, you are an absolute XXXX! Pray? I pray you get yourself to XXXX
Our islands are not only blessed with a premier who has been recently converted into a Pope, but we also have a deputy premier, who is the new Mary Magdalene, oh yes these islands CERTAINLY need prayer!
"Lift the stone and there you will find me. Split the wood and I am there"
Gospel of Thomas (yep I went there)
God is everywhere, you think he doesn’t know what is happening in Cayman, and prayer will let him know? don’t you know God is omnipotent
Prayer only makes you feel better, God looks to us on earth to act, and he will act through us.
We need action not to give up to prayer
Prayer is the last refuge of hopelessness, you haven’t even bothered telling the authorities what you know of the crimes your brother commits, yet you already give up and want God to do everything for you.
Remember that on Judgement Day and pray for God’s forgiveness for that will be the time you need prayer.
PRAY
P ut guns and ammunition in the hands of police officers!
R eview judicial processes and laws!
A mbush and monitor the homes and known hangouts of the 10 or 15 identified gangsters (put laws in place to make sure that these gangsters can’t take a dump without the police knowing about it)!
Y ield not to these criminals!
Ok, now I’m ready to PRAY!
Dear Jesus, please send us a new Government, and more specifically a new Leader, and God, please hurry! Thank you. Amen.
Dear lord, please never let the PPM ever rule us again,is what i pray in your precious name.Amen.
Oh please, McKeeva!
Another sign of your intelligence and that of your minders (CROONIES).
April the 1st???
YOU OUTTA YOUR FRIGGIN MIND!!
Not even trying to do it on a Saturday or even the FRIDAY enauh.
Boy you is a FOOL. Only thing is, look like yours YEAR ROUND!!!
Step down and retire – we need a real LEADER in the house – not some spult behind bully who keep switch alligence when it convient for himself. Remember you started with Benson and once yah got in using his campaign money – yah took off like a bat outta hell!
You is no good! Devil find work free mason hands!
Whilst I do myself believe in God at the end of the day we are masters of our own destiny – it is down to us that we are in this mess
Whilst each of us individually may derive strength through prayer the only way we are going to get through this is if we pull together as a people and work hard to get Cayman back on its feet .
What I don’t understand is his call for transparency which basically meant putting every bad thing we are going through on what the PPM did in the past. The most honest and transparent thing occurring on-island right now is the crime! It’s all we hear about and all we can BELIEVE in these days, and yet all this stupid man can do is pray for them. Trust me when I say all who believes in a God has put in place a stiplation to their regular evening prayers for these young folks so joining forces in public is a mockery of the church. Church and state should never mix in such a cosmopolitan society!
He knows too many of these families, he knows it starts in the home and that reform is costly and difficult and something no one wants to deal with. Most of all he knows if he is the one to actually DEAL with the problem, he’ll probably have to move to another district in an undisclosed location to escape HIS people. In all honesty, it’s not his problem to deal with but it is his place to say something on behalf of his district, on behalf of his people. Tell them what repercussions their actions are having on business, on tourism, on life as we knew it!! And what it means for these selfish young men in the years to come.
This would be a great opportunity to organize a march against Mac demanding that he step down from his post as our fearless sorry I mean clueless leader!
can you say OUT OF TOUCH ?
Can you say out of his &%^%$* mind!
Ever heard the saying "reap what you sow"? God most definitely has his hand in this. Praying for Gods help is like a thief asking god to bless him as he goes to steal from an honest man. You will just have to take it like the spoiled, useless, and totally helpless country that you are.
You might start by praying for the courage to look and see why God is punishing Cayman and start there.
Or just continue to cry and wail as God shows you how unhappy he is with you.
Mckeeva as a god fearing person, and i do believe in the god, I must admit that we need prayer but this is not the only answer.
Now it is time that you take action as the Primier call for the Governor to step in and take control he is the only one with the power that can do this.
Have the prayer, then ask the Governor to have the Police pick up all the supposedly gangster/gang members and put them in holding for what ever the time limit is for holding suspects, raid their properties or homes anyone that is affiliated with them if they resist arrest them too.
Come on get your act together.
Is this for real? The only thing people of these islands should be praying for is a leader who will do something about the issues.
he needs prayer because GOD don’t like ugly, & GOD sure don’t like anyone to claim to be a born again christian who does not act like one!
One of the worst sins is to mock the LORD!
To claim to be a christian for political purposes is not good enough. "Time longer than rope" & in time he shall realise this, he shall come to face the truth!
Mr. Bush, Yes we do need to pray and pray hard but not only for the crime that is happening on this island but for these so call repersentatives that we have for the people of the Island , Why dont you get off your high horse and do something all of this crime is happening in your district and you HAVENT done nothen, Nothen at all what are you waiting for???
What do you mean he’s ‘done nothen’ ??
He has a lovely security wall and plenty of security guards. He’ll be fine, don’t you worry.
Sir/madam, I feel very sorry for you, that you think God is not listening to our prayers. I pray for you and your family, that one day you’ll see God’s face. These Islands do need prayer. and i am staying on my knees……..
So so sick of the ignorance of some of these people. PEOPLE we are all living on this Island. IF some of us want to cry to our God to heal this Island why dont you shut the hell up and you suck it up, you might just get some blessings from it! Everytime there is a situation and someone calls on God, suggesting that we pray for the land, for the wicked, for the lost etc…There goes all you ignorant, stiff necked fools fighting them down!! I swear some of you are always looking someone to BASH down! Someone needs to pray that some of you get your fingers mashed so youcan stop typing up CRAP!!
Crabs in a barrel, when I hear that, only Cayman I think of! Because that is exactly how you all live! Never willing to take another’s suggestion. Instead your always waiting for someone you can bash all your ignorancy on. You all need to shut the hell up! Maybe God needs to be the God in Moses days and start wiping out all the mockers, striking them dead one by one, then again who says he cant do that!
I would shut your mouths if I were all of you because when it is YOUR time on for judgement your may get the blow of your life! It will be to late for you then to change your mind.
I think that is a great idea McKeeva. We need to come together and pray to the Mightier one. With him all things are possible. Dont listen to all these ignorant people they obviously just be sitting down waiting to jump down anyones throat no matter what suggestion they come up with! You pray to God for guidance and do your job. I believe you are there for a reason. The Isrealites complained to Moses many times about him, God and everything. Never remembering the good that was being done. That is just how it is. Fogive them for they know not what they do & say!
Arm the RCIPS! Lock down all the known gun men & their associates, stick those ankel bracelets on them ALL! Then you may see a change. Continue to pray to God and even for the ignorant fools that make the stupidest comments on this. Dont make the good suffer for the bad by giving the whole Island a curfew.
why not skip the stupid praying and get on with your other useful suggestions like arming the RCIPS and locking up the known gun men. Pray has never done anything just look around this world, people are praying non stop for all the bad things to stop and nothing has been done yet.
Here’s a question for you, If one of your loved ones was drowning, would you rather the whole island prays for them or someone gets in a boat and resucues them. Personally i would rather be rescued then prayed for!
Give up on the pray, it has never helped, history shows us that. Just think of little jeremiah, shot in the face while all the good christians were praying for the end of violence on this island.
Stop looking for god to save you, try saving yourself.
You wanna know who’s more religious than McKeeva? Bin Laden. Suicide bombers kill themselves and others in the name of the Lord. And don’t be fooled, it’s the same Lord you praise.
On a completely different note: mass prayer is no more useful than the quiet prayers I’m sure are happening as we speak and every night for these poor souls. A general suggestion to pray for these kids would be a good way to end a speech laced with real solutions to solve the crime problem.
And of course you think of Cayman when you hear crabs in a barrel. We pretty much invented that saying….
"Suicide bombers kill themselves and others in the name of the Lord. And don’t be fooled, it’s the same Lord you praise".
Well you’ve got that completely wrong. "The Lord" is Jehovah or Yahweh. Suicide bombers kill themselves and others in the name of Allah. Allah and Yahweh are not the same. For a start, the Koran tells us that Allah has no son, whereas Jesus Christ is the unique son of Yahweh. Allah is impersonal and unknowable whereas Yahweh desires a relationship with you.
The point about corporate prayer is that, hopefully, we will be praying in unity. There is greater power in agreement.
Ignorance? Ha. Hey, kettle what’s up?
I may get the "blow of my life"?. You make the "judgement" sound quite fun
That is the dumbest thing I have read to date on CNS…you seem to have as much brain power as our leader…oh wait I don’t think you can even call him that cause all he is doing is hiding…way to go.
God is the answer to all of the crime around us in the Cayman Islands he is no joke, West Bay is another Iraq.
If god is all powerful, then god is the reason for all the crime on this island. he watched the gunmen pull the trigger and decided to do nothing.
God gives man free will
"Faith by itself it it does not have works, is dead."
The quiet hand of Ms. Julie!!….and you thought she was not doing anything!!! Shame on you!
A PLEAD TO ALL THE CAYMANIAN GANGS STOP THIS NONSENSE YOU ARE RUINING OUR ISLAND.
we are all going to suffer, because we the innocent people are stuck in the middle of all this crap. the police are scared, the public are scared, Because if they say anything they will be "KILLED". gang or not gang related we the caymanian people are all going to suffer because of this nonsense, not the E-pat.
Remember majority of the E-pats have a place to return to, when shit hit the fan, but us caymanian whom never been outside this country, what are we going to do, where are we going to go.
It’s starting to feel like we never exist at all.
we’re not safe in our homes, cars, STREET, ect…….
Lets hope Mckeeva/Goverment find a solution and soon.
Pray! Why didn’t we think of that before?! Of course that’s THE answer to all the crime we’re facing now!
What a joke! Is this really what the Premier has been elected to lead our country in – a prayer meeting? Oh dear…we’re in bigger trouble than we thought!
This shows the poverty of ideas in the LA. Even if there is a god to hear our prayers He hasshown time and again that He is quite willing to let bad things happen, mass prayers or not.
Mack soon we wont have to pray, have Police etc etc as the rate that the criminals are killing off each other beats any other place on earth. You should ask the usa government to send them to Afghanstan .
I think a mass prayer is a good idea: let’s all pray for a change in leadership to someone who can actually:
THINK about the problem,
PASS LAWS dealing with theproblem, and
HIRE POLICE from wherever to enforce the new laws.
The current government, governor and police commissioner have all proven that theyhave nothing to contribute toward rescuing Cayman from the criminals who have taken over. Pray for a change of guard and a clean slate. Pray that someone effective takes over.
I would say "before it’s too late", but that time has already long-since passed.
On one hand he says "fall on your knees and beg for forgivenss", on the other hand (I hear) he is saying, "build that wall (with the governments money) faster, I need protection!"
What a Banana Republic! XXXXXX
Possibly the most pathetic thing I have ever heard.
This is no different to having a Rain Dance to make the crops grow. Or a sacrifice to appease the gods (which "doth pleaseth the lord".as the bible tells us)
It’s mumbo jumbo. Gatherng together to chat to an imaginary friend will not solve the ineptitude and overspending of the Government.
The date they have chosen says it all really………….
you are in my prayers…..
Ps God is real!!!! 🙂
No thank you, I might be shot.
I believe that there is power in prayer but McKeeva if you believe so tell me why you are living behind a cement wall with a security guard…wouldn’t it be more cost efficient to pray?
He’s not paying for it so he doesn’t have to worry about that, silly.
Mac, is that the best you can come up with?
How about passing emergency legislation that will require the police to round up all suspected gang members?
How about passing legislation that requires the AG to prosecute?
How about changing the standard of proof so that convictions are easier for gang and gun crimes?
How about taking phones and TV’s out of Northward?
How about directing immigration to remove from the Island all persons who are overstaying, working illegally, or have no job (despite being on a permit)?
How about random drug testing of every youth in school and holding them in detention until they explain where they got it, and prosecute the suppliers?
Those things will work. God only helps those wh help themselves. Do some of the above or something else, but if prayer is the best you can come up with, go perform immoral acts on yourself!
All gang leaders should be rounded up and put in prison. This is very easy to do, as they hang out in certain areas in every district doing their distributions. Yes lets begin with them. We are tired of crossing the streets in certain areas and seeing them sitting by the road side in the bush so idle. We are afraid to pass by as you dont know when a bullet will go through your car.Police presence is seldom in these areas. Police need to assist property owners whose propertys is abandoned and they can freely hang out in those areas.
Thank you McKeeva, yes I believe that if we humble ourselves to God he will indeed help us. People its time that we look to God for his guidance and deliverance for whats happening in our once peacful and God fearing island. God will deliver his people.
On April 1, we come together in the name of Jesus Christ, praying to God our Father seeking Him because He is God. I agree with this Prayer, that if all should humble themselves and seek the Lord’s face, then He will turn and hear us. The question also is put to you, why aren’t you doing something?
Listen, prayer is talking to God, prayer is initself humbling oneself and stating that God is our Soverign Lord. We can go to God through Jesus Christ, who is our Mediator.
I encourage you to humble yourself, and come out and pray to the only one who can heal our Cayman Islands. Do you believe? Do you want Cayman to be healed? Do you want to see the Holy Spirit cleanze all unrighteousness from the dark corners of Cayman? If you really want to, then pray, pray come out and pray to God, through Jesus Christ.
LOL we’re screwed!!!
Wow…searching for the right words…failing…hopefully this is just his April Fools joke.
I will say this, while everyone is out camping and praying in the coming days I’ll be at home with my family making sure that the thieves aren’t having their heyday at my expense. Enjoy the beach next weekend.
Yup, that should do it. Happy that it will all be over after April 1st.
While the LA is sitting, maybe Mr. Miller, or the good Captain could bring a motion to ban the importation and sale of "Hoodies". That would help too.
The Premier, Mr Mckeeva Bush, has made a bold and humbling step by calling for corporate prayers, It’s the wises move one could ever make when face with complicated situation or diverse temptations.
However what is most repulsive and shocking to me is how ungodly this little island is and how neatly packed the basket is that it’s in going to hell. What Mr. Bush needs to do next is call the entire island to repent from their sins and rejection of God and seek is face.
They think economical problem is bad, they haven’t seen the worst yet!
2 Chronicle 7:14 states it best
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
I think the post above is tongue-in-cheek, not meant seriously.
Of course this statement by McKeeva is utterly pathetic and shows us how, when swift and decisive action is so needed, he can only think "Hmm, can’t figure what to do right now, might as well mention God again, should keep a good few of the dummies happy for a little while"
Cayman needs less Bible-bashing and more action right now. This should not become a debate along the lines "if you criticise (McKeeva’s suggestion for public prayer) then you’re a non-believer / athiest." I hope all good Christians and non-Christians in Cayman alike tell McKeeva that the time for praying comes after you have exhausted your own efforts, not before.
Wow….that article says a lot…..
BTW….GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES!
We gotta start helping ourselves.
I believe the message we are getting is: people of the Cayman Islands, the solution to the violence is up to you. The Premier is suggesting group prayer might work.
Simply praying might work, but I doubt it. Action will speak louder than words to the gangs which now control our lives through their violence and government has not shown a willingness to do or say anything to put an end to the current reign of terror.
What will we do?
Hi There,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do believe as Scriptures shows (OT & NT) that praying does work; however, I also agree with you that we do need to also step out in faith and go into communities and build godly relationships with many people and show them the love of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
Really only the Gospel of Jesus Christ will break the bondages of sin and darkness that Satan has bound many people in.
We can’t fight one another, the true deceptor is Satan, fight him. But in fighting Him we need the Armour of God on and trust/faith in Jesus Christ – then we go (the battle is spiritual). In going, we also need many (whom God has called and used) to cover us in prayer for the Lord’s will.
By Jesus Christ we can work together and see a godly change, see lives come before the throne of God in repentance.
Thanks again for sharing, and I hope you see that I’m not fighting against you but wanting to join with you focusing on Jesus and stepping out in faith to be His hands and feet in our communities. I am willing to serve the Lord, and Him only.
Wendy
It is my experience that prayer alone rarely, if ever, brings about real change in the world. Usually the effective prayer is accompanied by some sort of action.
I would suspect that there have been many in these islands praying for peace and justice since this wave of violence began and yet the violence only gets worse. If prayer alone is the solution to the problem of gang violence, why have the prayers of so many faithful gone unanswered?
Prayer is fine but what is also needed is for the so-called leaders of the community to take action against these gangs – action they have previously been unwilling or unable to take… which leaves the residents of these islands to live in a war zone.
True leaders know that, "God helps those who help themselves", Benjamin Franklin (1736).
We need a leader who can offer up more than just prayer.
If that is all he can offer, it is time for him to step down.
As I once read on an Island bill board outside a church "April fools day. Athiests Day". This guy is no fool he knows exactly how to get to the God fearing people of this Island. Without them he has no votes.
What a sad, sad, sad state.You poor people, please wake up and see what is happening.
Politics and religion do NOT mix!!!!
You CANNOT run a government on prayers and favours!!!
You need Maggie Thatcher here for a week or two! She will sort out the mess overnight. Just ask the junk yard guys that tried to take over the Fauklin Islands.
This guy needs to be replaced, but the big problem is by WHO!
The ganstas/gangs whatever you want to call them are laughing all the way to their gun stash!!!
we are in trouble now…… while prayer may be good for the soul it’s not going to fix this problem….. time to find some one who can run this country the way it needs to be run. The currnet government is over thier head.
We in trouble now cayman
It’s said that in times of crisis you show your true colours – well, Mac is certainly showing his – a) appealing to the masses and b) hoping that someone else will fix it!
Typical behaviour for this man proving once again that he is incapable of running our country!
What about us Scientologists? Can we pray with you?
As long as you bring enough Placenta to share with all.
Another relevant solution. Does he get paid for this?
The guys with the guns must be shaking in their boots now!!!! This is a joke right???
And there we have it folks – living and current day proof of why this country is in the state that it is today … too many people placing our destiny in the hands of the Boogey Man in the sky!
Prayers is only effective when combined with action – the thing is, the vast majority of our people will go out there, pray their socks off ever so earnestly – and at the end of it all..after being fully consumed by the holy spirit – they will return to their homes satisfied that they have "done something"!
Times like these I feel like pimp-slapping the s**t outta my people.
Look around people – the truly holy entities, nations, people, organizations in this western world are no longer relevant or visible – did you say Vatican / Church of England? Ha! Biggest politicians, war mongerers, enslavers, kiddie fiddlers, closet homosexual pedophiles known to man.
You have got to be joking???
I support the Premier in this action and believe it will help unite the country.
Who are you to judge the heart of our Premier? Only God (our Lord and Saviour Jesus) will judge the actions of man.
Unlike the anonymous replies, I am proud to sign my name and say I am a Christian who believes in Jesus Christ. I imagine the critics are mostly non-Believers or Atheist and dont believe in the power of prayer and repentence. Hmm, perhaps one day when they have cancer or a serious sickness they will call a pastor or religious leader to PRAY for them.
Perhaps Mr Bush should do what Prime Minister Rudd of Australia said – we are a God-fearing, Christian nation, either you accept or beliefs or you move on to another country. When you come to reside in Cayman you must learn to accept our beliefs, culture, traditions, and stop critizing all the time!!
I do believe Mr Bush is doing all he can to solve the problems of this country, but its going to take time, prayer, and for both caymanians and non-caymanians to unite and take a stand.
I’m not judging the Premier’s heart, I’m judging his actions as leader of my country. As a citizen that is my democratic right. He answers to US.
So Phil, are you suggesting that as long as the heart of the Premier has somehow ‘got it right’ we must ignore his actions and the horrible example that he sets as a ‘born again Christian’? I’m sorry, but my understanding of Christianity is far different from the display of character I see coming from our Premier. And I am a believer so don’t convince yourself I’m an athiest. Mac is playing politics! See it for what it is.
There’s been a whole lotta praying going on for a long long time in CI and things have been on the decline— so either it ain’t been workin or y’all praying to the wrong one?
I vote we stop praying altogether, and actually do something concrete and measurable in our neighborhoods and communities. Like share the infromation about our son, cousin, brother, uncle or friend who is part of this gangsta lifestyle.
Prayin ain’t the answer- it’s just hiding from real action and the real problems.
I hope not. It is about time.
Many very intelligent people have offered advice, ideas and guidance. Cayman needs leadership and pro active consistant for the people action.
It will, afterall, be April Fool’s Day. Nice one Mac!
Actions speak louder than words ole Mac!! ;(
Watch how you mock God my friend, He knows when a true heart cries for His mercies!!
But I will pray – just not on your steps. Probably get strike down by lighting over there! ;(
Not sure who this writer is but I could not have summed it up any better. I agree wholeheartedly with the comments expressed. I believe that if we are to reach God in these trying times and get any help whatsoever we have to first believe, He is God, and at the very minimum believe in Holiness.
How pathetic is that. Go and read some business books instead of the bible. Trade your cronies / consultants in with people, who actually have international business experience.
I was shocked to read this article from the Premier. I have been waiting for a long time to here a response from the Premier on what his plan is to fix the awful situation we find ourselves in and his solution is to pray… pray for god’s help with the budget and the current crime situation. The man is delusional. PRAYER IS NOT GOING TO DO A THING TO FIX THIS. The fix willl require a mixture of community action and government action. It will take a long time to fix.
1. Community action- people must have the courage to turn in their family members and friends. It is the right thing to do. To hide and to do nothing will only make matters worse. Police have an obligation to make it completely safe for witnesses to come forward.
2. Government/the Governor must increase the police presence. They must increase search and seizures, they must harrass these thugs into hiding or leaving the island. Lock them up for whatever they can prove. Get them off the streets. Look at the success Giuliani had in cleaning up New York’s Times Square, once a cesspool of sex shops, mafia types and thugs. Increasing police presence and forcing the thugs out has made Times Square a tourist haven and one can now walk (most of the streets) of NY in perfect safety.
Not taking action and letting things get out of hand will only accelerate the slippery slope that we are currently on. ie. the violence continues, tourism slows, businesses close/leave, more people lose their jobs, desperation increases, government revenue declines, less money for basic services, schools and communities suffer, violence escalates, tourism slows even more, businesses close… and so on and so on.
Look at the damage that the death of Natalie Holloway (a tourist) did to Aruba’s economy/reputation. It takes a lifetime to build up a reputation (which we have done!!) and a split second to lose it. We are 1 tourist death away from financial and cultural armaggedon.
I could go on and on and on…
I agree with the writer that we are one tourist death away from financial and cultural ruin. The tourist may not be the intended target, but the way bullets are flying, no one seems to be safe anymore.
Haha… now we’ll see if prayer really is the answer… I think I saw that on a bumper sticker once… now our elected officials are saying the same thing!!! Glad to see that government is looking to the bumpers of beat up cars for the solutions to economic distasters and gang crime!
I’m sure I will not be the only one making this comment but, April Fool’s day?
Mass prayer meeting on …. April Fool’sDay!
MY BIBLE TELLS ME THAT PRAYERS WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. Politicians dont have to worry about about not feeling secured not when they can even have body guards escorting them to even to church. Any way BO BO we are going to stay home and pray. But Uncle MOMO please do your thing about not letting in any of those criminals into Cayman Brac. We are looking to you as our first elected and our number one leader also our handsome blue eye boy with a golden heart a Business man and a statesman. On April 1 we will stay at home and pray for you.AMEN.
Mr. Premier please cut government expenditures, toughen the laws against violent crime and gang membership, do away with parole for violent criminals, and reform Northward. There is wisdom in the proverb that the Lord helps those who help themselves.
Of course there is another proverb, Proverbs 23 v.9 says, "Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
WOW, I’m speechless, what’s next? Fasting??
We will try feet washing first, then fasting.
We havent seen nothing yet Caymanizing those 3000 people. 2 Jamacians of origin shot in two days. No one in a good state of mind would give out their birthright to so mant. That was dumping too much garbage in one small place. Do what unna can about it now. More votes for udp but more crime too.
Is this a joke? Wasnt the premier and elected officals empowered to help the islands by passing laws, sorting out the government and its affairs..etc? How is a politician supposed to handle the situation?
I have no problem with anyone who wants to show up at the LA to pray next Thursday evening. What I choose to pray for is the remote possibility that before next Thursday our Premier and his fellow MLAs will stop wasting our money on themselves and do what we are paying them for – bringing in the legislation that we need to get the criminals off our street and keep them off our streets. God is not going to do that for them and very few will be fooled by this diversion and delay.
WHY SHOULD WE TAKE THE CHANCE OF GETTING SHOT ON THE COURT HOUSE STEPS? We can pray at home, God will hear us. No where is safe.
unbelievable….. how more useless can these pathetic politicians be…..
mackeeva has lost his mind… if all he has left is to quote the bible and say we should get down on our knees then it is time for him to resign or for the uk to take over straight away…
oh christ, now we’re in trouble. Is praying to some make believe wizard in the sky really the best mac could come up with? Please tell me this is a joke? we really will be the laughing stock of the world if this is it. No chance he could tell us about new legislation, new powers for the police, a curfew perhaps?
There is not an imaginary wizard above, there is a God who answers prayers, but Mac is missing one thing, work to make a change and put this crime wave under control, because prayer without work is dead. God is more than willing to help those who help themselves, so if Mac can’t have a seat with the Commissioner and the Governor to formulate some form of a plan to put this crime spree under control, then the prayers at the LA would become all in vain.
I love prayer but I learn from my own experience, if I don’t get up and work for it, I won’t get it, so when I combine work and prayer, everything works out much more better than I plan, so that is when the power of prayer becomes more evident. And it is sad to say this, but the crime would just continue, unless Mac, the Commissioner and the Governor come up with some drastic plans to do something about it.
P.S. There is nothing wrong with praying, but prayer needs them to work.
It is appropriate but I have to wonder, why did he pick April Fools Day?
Why pick April Fools day?! Cus McKeeva is making a fool out of every Caymanian who voted for him… that’s why…