The Rivers State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) joined their counterparts in other states recently to organize a 3-day national fasting and prayer declared by the national body of CAN.
The ceremony took place at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Port Harcourt.
The 3-day fasting and prayer session was declared by the CAN national body due to the recent security challenges and other unwholesome activities that are threatening the unity and peace of Nigeria.
The prayer session which was attended by the heads of families, LGA coordinators of CAN and the entire Christian communities in the state focused more on prayers for the redemption of Nigeria.
The state chairman of CAN, Special Apostle Stanley Dimkpa, PhD said Christians must be steadfast in this challenging times as spiritual watchdog of the nation, hence the need to seek the face of God. Apostle Dimkpa noted that Nigeria is one of the most endowed nations on earth with the potentials to be among the first world countries, pointing out that evil forces and iniquities are hindering the fulfillment of the country’s destiny.
According to him, “prayer and fasting is needed to break evil chain hindering the progress of the country.
At a time like this in our nation when the country is overrun by enemies from all corners, we therefore as Christian leaders, shall not fold our hands and do nothing but will arise recognizing the fact that we are the spiritual watch-dog of our nation thus have the mandate of God to cry aloud for mercies in a time like this,” he said.
Earlier, the CAN chairman had thanked the Christian communities for coming in their numbers to answer the clarion call, describing them as the Volunteer Redemption Army.
The leaders, he noted are soldiers of Christ who have come to salvage the country through prayers.
In a sermon, the Archbishop of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Archbishop Sunday Agwu said Christians must bear the burden like Nehemiah did through an agenda that would unite and rebuild the church.
His words: “But my question is that do we need this kind of burden in our own father land? He asked.
My observation however, is that there are only few persons who share such burden, whether they are in government or not,” he said.
In his own sermon, the General Overseer of Soul Ablaze Ministries Intl, Port Harcourt , Bishop Samuel Richard recalled that in the book of Lamentation 1:1-5, Jeremiah as a weeping prophet has an extra0rdinary burden due to the sin of the people of Israel, calling for effectual repentance and prayer by Christian leaders as the solution to Nigeria states.
Earlier, the host, Bishop of Evo Diocese of the Church, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu welcomed the Christian communities to the church and declared his willingness and that of his church to continue to host and support CAN and its activities which he noted, will strengthen the unity in the body and further advised other Christian leaders to join hands in building the unity in the body of Christ.
The prayers focused on mercies of God, good governance, justice and peace, recovery of the nation, generational curses, forces against the church and against those propagating insecurity in the country as well as prayers for the governor and government of Rivers State.
