Christmas: Pray for Nigeria, cleric urges pilgrims

A board member, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) Rev Israel Akanji, has urged pilgrims in the Holy Land to pray for sustainable growth in Nigeria.

Akanji gave the advice in his sermon titled, “The church and the glory of Nigeria” at the inter-denominational prayer convocation held in Jerusalem.

He said the church, through Christians, needs to be transformed to be what God designed it to be.

“We are always looking for change to begin somewhere, instead of it to begin with us.

“If leaders and followers in the church were to conform to the image of God, definitely they will grow in power of God and the church will in turn affect the nation positively.

“Jesus says we are the light of the world and we are the salt of the earth. But salt and light do not exist for themselves but to the benefit of others and that is how the church should be.

“We are to exist for the benefit of the society of the world and if we are now the salt and light that we should be, then change must begin with us.

“If the church is revived, definitely the nation will have a change of experience and God will show us his mercies.”

In her remark,  director in charge of the convocation, Mrs. Esther Kwaghe, said the need and urgency to pray for Nigeria could not be over-emphasised.

She said that although pilgrimage provided the platform for people to seek and meet God personally through physical realities about things written in the Bible, more could be done to deepen patriotism.

“It is time to reposition the destiny of our country through prayers, hence our engagement in prayer convocation to worship God and pray for our loved ones, nation and leaders.

“It is our prayer that at the end of the pilgrimage, we will go back as impacted men and women with capacities to build and serve our dear country,” Kwaghe said.

Speaking in an interview, a pilgrim, Mr Lawrence Ayih, a traditional ruler in Garaku, Nasarawa state, commended the prayer convocation initiative to promote unity among Nigerians in Israel.

He said praying together encourages friendship and mutual relationship among Nigerian citizens outside their country.

“Pilgrims dedication of time to pray together can bring about meaningful development; particularly telling stories with one voice can strengthen Nigeria-Israeli relationship.

“We hope to be developed as a country, we also pray for Nigeria so that God will grant us stability, peace and togetherness,” Ayih said. (NAN)

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