Pray for Jamaica
The mountains of eastern Jamaica, the highest on the island.
Photo: Diego Tirira from Quito, Ecuador, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Jamaica
The capital is Kingston. People speak English and Jamaican Patois. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Jamaica
Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
Jamaica is marking one year since Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that struck western Jamaica on 28 October 2025. It affected more than 150,000 homes, and at least 120,000 buildings lost their roofs, mostly in the southwest. By April 2026 the Prime Minister said schools, hospitals and utilities were almost fully restored, but many homes and roofs are still being repaired.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy. Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labour Party won a third term in the election of 3 September 2025, taking 34 seats to 29 for the People's National Party. In September 2026 he urged his party to govern in the public interest, and in October Parliament passed a law to tackle jury tampering.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
Public debt fell from more than 140% of GDP in 2013 to about 73% in 2024. Hurricane Melissa then caused damage estimated by the UN at about 8 to 15 billion US dollars, roughly a quarter of GDP. More than 50,000 households were assessed for financial help.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
More than 626,000 people were affected by the hurricane, and families in hard-hit places such as Black River are still rebuilding. Murders fell by about 43% between 2024 and 2025, but violence still grieves many communities. An independent review found that Kingston Public Hospital has only about a fifth of the space it needs.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About two in three Jamaicans belong to Christian churches, according to the 2011 census, the latest available. The largest groups are the Church of God, Seventh-day Adventists, Pentecostals and Baptists, and about one in five people have no affiliation. Rastafarians, Revivalists, Muslims, Jews and others are also present.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution protects freedom of religion, including the right to change one's faith, according to the US State Department. A colonial-era law against Obeah remains in force but is not enforced. In 2023 the government removed a school rule requiring Rastafarian students to cover their locs, and it continues to compensate victims of the 1963 Coral Gardens incident.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
England took Jamaica in 1655, and enslaved Africans were forced to work its plantations. Tacky's Revolt in 1760 and the 1831 Christmas Rebellion led by Samuel Sharpe were crushed, and slavery ended between 1834 and 1838. The Morant Bay rebellion of 1865 left further wounds before independence in 1962.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Jamaica. Comfort every family still rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, and put a safe roof over every head. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to the Prime Minister and all in authority. Provide work and fair wages, and let the rebuilding be honest and strong. Protect the vulnerable, bring peace to troubled communities, and heal the sick. Stir hope in every church and draw many to Yourself, and keep every believer free to worship. Heal the deep wounds of slavery and injustice, and lead Jamaica in forgiveness and freedom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Jamaica Observer: Holness reaffirms Black River recovery (Jan 2026)
- NY1: Holness on the impact of Hurricane Melissa (April 2026)
- UN News: Hurricane Melissa damage in Jamaica (Dec 2025)
- The Conversation: Holness returns for a third term (Sept 2025)
- Jamaica Observer: Holness to JLP, use power right (Sept 2026)
- US State Department: 2023 Religious Freedom Report, Jamaica (2024)
- Obeah Histories: timeline of Britain in the Caribbean
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Jamaica and pray along.
Watch the PrayerCast video for Jamaica
It opens on prayercast.com in a new tab. If it does not open the page for Jamaica, search for the nation on PrayerCast.
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