As Boko Haram expands its attacks across neighbouring Cameroon, a Nigerian Archbishop has urged Christians to “storm the heavens” in prayer.
“We thank God for his mercy and faithfulness. We may not have received everything we prayed for, but by his grace most of us are still alive and we have remained one people and one nation,” Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius A Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, told those gathered at an overnight National Prayer Pilgrimage last week.
“Today, gauging the general despair and disillusionment in the land, we converge here again to cry on to the Lord for enduring peace and for God to stir strongly in the hearts of Nigerians the spirit to transcend narrow ethnic, religious, and political boundaries so as to always pursue the common good.”
The Archbishop, who is also the president of the Nigerian episcopal conference, said that “fervent prayer” is necessary to bring together a nation fractured by militant attacks. “As Catholics, we believe that prayer, made with deep faith, can move mountains and calm storms and that prayer is our most powerful weapon as we face the multidimensional challenges in contemporary Nigeria,” he added.
However, he also insisted that “prayer alone without good works is inadequate,” and called on all Nigerians to work together for common good.
“Not to do our work well, to wish your neighbour harm or to engage in bitter, hostile, antagonistic political, religious or ethnic struggles that lead to loss of lives and the destruction of property and still claim to be people of faith is mere religious externalism devoid of godliness,” he said.
“Our invitation to prayer is not meant to be a substitute for individual responsibility where we each play our parts to contribute to the welfare of all of us and our nation. With good behaviour, good works and fervent prayers, we can overcome all obstacles and rise to the highest heights…Read More
Source and Original Content by Christian Today