Preaching on the JUTC - Preacher lays on the prayer formula

Despite repeated notices and the recent running of advertisements in the media appealing to lay preachers who attempt to win souls on the state-run buses to discontinue the practice, passengers of these public transportation are still being ministered to.

Family & Religion boarded a Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) unit en route to Three Miles from Downtown, Kingston and moments after the bus pulled out of its station, a man, dressed in a striped gernzie shirt which was neatly tucked into his jeans pants and bound at the waist with a brown belt, stood up and hailed the passengers with a hearty "Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our soon coming King. I want to talk to you a little about God."

The greeting was met with mixed emotions as the hiss of annoyance echoed throughout the space.

And as if that wasn't disapproving enough, one man uttered: "Mi know God already!" as he turned his face to stare out the window, a direct attempt to block out whatever the lay preacher would say next.

GREETING

Unperturbed by the opposition, the minister continued his greeting leading into his sermon.

"I want to greet the Christians, the sinners and the backsliders who are the special guest on the bus today as Jesus came not for the righteous but for sinners unto repentance.

"Today, I will like to share with you the Prayer Formula as it is important that we know how to pray," he said.

The preacher noted that the prayer should take the 'GPP' format then went on to go in depth.

"The G is for Guidance. He said He will never leave nor forsake you so ask for guidance. He shall deliver you from snare of fowler. Whatever trap that the enemy has for you, the Spirit of God will guide you away from it. It's not by might neither by power but by His spirit. Sometimes when you pray for guidance you get a scripture or a song in your spirit to encourage you.

"The first P is for Protection. As a pastor, I shouldn't be walking around with two bodyguards beside me or with no licensed firearm. My only gun should be the B66, which is my Bible," he said as he explained that the holy text used by Christians has 66 books.

He continued on the workings of his holy weapon: "When mi pop off a scripture it doesn't take lives, this gun gives life!"

The minister revealed the final P in the Prayer Formula dubbed GPP to be Provision as he assured the passengers that God is the ultimate provider while encouraging them to ask of Him their needs.

Interestingly by the time the bus got to the intersection at Waltham Park Road the preacher had a majority of the bus singing praises and shouting 'Thank you, Jesus!'

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com