A few days after, I saw an article (video) in the Jamony (ritual) at the National Stadium. The ceremony included lighting candles to commemorate the death of an obeah man. That was when I understood the vision.

As a Christian nation, why do we practise obeah rituals, or other forms of rituals? These are not biblical. Perhaps some people do not know, this is syncretism in the nation. Why not follow after righteousness and see the glory of God and a turnaround for the good of our nation? – Ezekiel 2:3. Let the special church services be enough to commemorate our national events such as Heroes Day, Emancipation Day, Independence Day, etc.

This incident reminded me of a client of mine and her daughter who, many years ago, brought a box to me, full of different types of candles – red, green, blue, white, pink, as well as different types of oils. They got them from a package that their relative sent to them from the USA. The candles, as well as the oils, were meant to solve different problems in their lives, according to her, as they were labelled accordingly.

Having got their deliverance a few months before, they came to find out if they should use them. I told them it was witchcraft that their relative had been using against them to destroy their lives, which led them to come for deliverance. The package was destroyed.

Some evil workers have set tables and lit candles against people of God, including my ministry, but God has destroyed their powers. God’s work, His people or servants cannot the destroyed in Jesus’ name! I will continue to open the eyes of the people to righteousness in this nation and beyond as God has given me with the responsibility. So, no weapon that is fashioned against me and my ministry shall prosper, and every tongue that rises up against us in judgement we condemn in Jesus’ name!

THE DANGER IN RITUALS:

• Rituals invoke evil spirits, and persons can be possessed or infiltrated with evil spirits knowingly or unknowingly, e.g., when people are foaming from the mouth or they pass out, wiggle their bodies like snakes or are motionless, it is demonic possession – whether mild or acute. Some evil spirits are passive while some are active. I have had to cast out these spirits from time to time from some clients who consult my ministry for help because of problems in their lives. During prayer, they exhibit the pocomania/revivalism dance. Some exhibit other forms of religion because of their exposure as a child or adult. They were bound, but Jesus set them free. Many times, these are passed on from generation to generation, and people suffer.

• It invokes blood-thirsty territorial spirits that springboard blood sacrifices, accidents, human sacrifices, crime and violence, moral decadence, and poverty, to mention a few. The nation will be better in God’s righteousness, and it will repel evils such as pandemics and other problems in the nation.

• It invokes the spirit of the dead that follows people home or takes over a house or community after a ‘nine-night’ celebration, and causes them to have sleepless nights.

• It causes a nation, community, family or house to be haunted.

SESSION OF DELIVERANCE

Another example is that of a young man who consulted me to pray for him to get a job on a cruise ship. He went away, only to go and consult a psychic regarding another episode in his life. When he returned, he went to church and participated in the communion service. While he was asleep, he was beaten and literally dragged from his bed by some spirits saying, “You think you can come to us and then go take communion. You think you can eat at our table and go and eat at the communion table?” He was terrified and called me hastily for a session of deliverance the following day.

Let’s be mindful of what we do in the nation – 2 Corinthains 6: 16, And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Let us desist from all these evil practices. Maranatha!

Bishop Dr Grace Ade-Gold is the founder and bishop of Arise Shine Apostolic and Deliverance Ministries located in Kingston. You may contact her at graceadegold@gmail.com [9].