Christians in Borno State have commenced a one-week fasting and
prayer to seek God’s protection, blessings and preservation amidst
religious hostilities.
Within the last few weeks, over 500 people have been killed in Konduga, Gwoza and other areas of the state by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Rev. Bitrus Bdliya, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Maiduguri said,”upon the security challenges we face, we will not relent to emphasize the role of the Church as an agent of peace.
“I call on all Christians to acknowledge this responsibility and to pursue it vigorously. I admonish every Christian to re-examine his or her relationship with God and with his neighbour, knowing well that to be able to maintain peace, you have to be at peace with God and with your brother or sister”.
He added that, “unless we do this, we can’t claim to be instruments of love and forgiveness which are necessary ingredients that can promote and guarantee true peace in our families, communities, nation and the world at large.
“1 Peter 1:8 says,’Though you have not seen him, you love him, and
even though you do not see him now you believe in him and are filled
with an inexpressible and glorious joy’.
“It is God’s desire to bless us and to give us peace and rest in this generation, but we must learn to dwell in his presence, for that is where all our needs are met”.
He said, “The history of persecution of early Christians by great powers lasted 312 years. When the right time came, God used a pagan Emperor to bring an end to such cruel treatment of the followers of Christ. This man was Constantine.
“By the grace of God, another Constantine would emerge in the Northern part of Nigeria where Christians are persecuted in Jesus’s name”.
The CAN Chairman said,”as we humble ourselves before God in prayers this week, let us come with sincere and confessed hearts to enable our prayers be acceptable unto our God”.
Rev Bdliya told Christians that without these, they may spend hours and days praying at the highest of their voices “but it will be in vain, we will be just like the 450 prophets of Baal and prophet Elijah on mount Carmel”.
Within the last few weeks, over 500 people have been killed in Konduga, Gwoza and other areas of the state by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Rev. Bitrus Bdliya, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Maiduguri said,”upon the security challenges we face, we will not relent to emphasize the role of the Church as an agent of peace.
“I call on all Christians to acknowledge this responsibility and to pursue it vigorously. I admonish every Christian to re-examine his or her relationship with God and with his neighbour, knowing well that to be able to maintain peace, you have to be at peace with God and with your brother or sister”.
He added that, “unless we do this, we can’t claim to be instruments of love and forgiveness which are necessary ingredients that can promote and guarantee true peace in our families, communities, nation and the world at large.
“It is God’s desire to bless us and to give us peace and rest in this generation, but we must learn to dwell in his presence, for that is where all our needs are met”.
He said, “The history of persecution of early Christians by great powers lasted 312 years. When the right time came, God used a pagan Emperor to bring an end to such cruel treatment of the followers of Christ. This man was Constantine.
“By the grace of God, another Constantine would emerge in the Northern part of Nigeria where Christians are persecuted in Jesus’s name”.
The CAN Chairman said,”as we humble ourselves before God in prayers this week, let us come with sincere and confessed hearts to enable our prayers be acceptable unto our God”.
Rev Bdliya told Christians that without these, they may spend hours and days praying at the highest of their voices “but it will be in vain, we will be just like the 450 prophets of Baal and prophet Elijah on mount Carmel”.
