Tag: lent

Christians in Ilorin on Wednesday joined their counterparts around the world to mark this year’s Ash Wednesday.

The day is to mark the commencement of the Lenten season by Christians.

During the Lent, Christians are expected to fast for 40 days to strengthen their faith.

As usual, church services were held in Ilorin to usher in the period with clerics praying for a united Nigeria where peace and unity would reign.

In his message, Prophet Christopher Oduwaiye of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church in Osere, Ilorin, stressed the need for Christians to participate actively in the religious exercise and strive to live a holy life.

Oduwaiye also called on them to use the period to give alms to the poor and help those in need.

The cleric charged them to pray for a hitch free governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

The Primate of the Resolution Church of Christ in Ilorin, Dr Martins Olobatoke, admonished Christians to use the period to seek divine intervention for breakthrough in the challenges confronting the nation.

According to Olobatoke, nothing will be impossible if the faithful look up to God when passing through difficulties.

Pastor Segun James of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imole, Amoyo, called on Christians to be prayerful and refrain from sin.

Pastor Aremu Abioye of the Ark of God Covenant Faith Bible Ministry, Amoyo, also urged Christians to imbibe the lessons of the period beyond the Lenten season while demonstrating a fear of God in whatever they do.

The General Overseer of the New Life Holy Trinity Chapel, Gaa-Akanbi, llorin, Pastor ldowu Constain, appealed to Christians to eschew acts inimical to the progress of the nation.

Rev. Fr. Alexander Amalu, Assistant Parish Priest, St. Paul Catholic Parish Awkunanaw, Enugu, has called on Christians to always be good ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

Amalu, who made the call on Wednesday in Enugu, during a mass to mark the Ash Wednesday, urged Christians not to relent in living the life of Christ after the Lenten season.

“As Christians, you should be discreet when carrying out your Lenten services of fasting, prayers and alms giving.

“You are not supposed to announce to the world when praying, fasting or giving alms. You do not need to shout or disturb the neighborhood while praying,’’ he said.

He quoted Matthew Chapter 6 verse 5 from the Bible to buttress his claim on praying secretly to God without others knowing the content of the prayer.

The priest said that Christians were not supposed to publicise to the world when giving alms and when fasting by looking gloomy.

“Many people usually look very sad and dull when fasting and that is not good at all, you don’t have to let the whole world know you are fasting.

“When giving alms to the needy, as part of our duty in this season, you should not announce what you have done because our heavenly Father who sees in secret will reward you in the open.

“My advice to Christians is that any good character imbibed in this season of Lent should not stop after the Lent to enable you build pious life and be candidates of heaven,” he said.

Rev. Fr. Daniel Iloka, the Parish Priest of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Enugu has called on Nigerians to make peace, help the needy and draw close to God always.

Iloka made the call during Ash Wednesday mass service at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Uno Okpete Ogbete, Enugu in marking the beginning of Christian Lent season.

He said: “It is necessary to use the period of lent to make peace with God, learn to keep food on the table for the needy and turn away from sins completely.

“We are going into the lent season for the church and it lasts for 40 days, it is a time of suffering.

“Ash Wednesday marks the beginning mourning for our sins and also it reminds us that we are made of ash and will one day return to ash.”

Iloka said that Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days and the Israelites endured for 40 days of journey to the promise land.

“The reason for the Israelites long journey was to discipline them, so it is expected that the lent season will discipline us against sin.” he said.

Iloka also urged Christians to use the lent to journey with Jesus Christ into a new life “s we are expected to pray all the time. “

“Fast to holiness keeps us away from sin and to fast away our daily sins.

“The the most important fasting you can do is depriving yourself that sin that keeps you away from your creature.

“This is a period you make peace with your neighbours, help those in need and keep away from altercations and insultive words.

“Watch your back and ensure that your life is a thing of emulation to others and not the other way round.”

He, however, urged Christians not to fast like hypocrites who allow the fasting written all over their faces.

“This is the time of being cheerful while your fast and pray never allow your neighbour to know the good things you do to others.

“God in heaven sees you and will reward you.”