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Tag: Prayer

  • Intensify payers for Nigeria – Ooni urges CAN

    Intensify payers for Nigeria – Ooni urges CAN

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to intensify prayers for the progress of the country.

    The Ooni gave the advice on Saturday at the grand finale of New Year prayer organised by CAN held at Enuwa in Ile-Ife.

    The traditional ruler was represented at the event by Obalufe of Ife Kingdom, Oba Idowu Adediwuraat.

    The Ooni, who is the Co-Chair, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), appealed to Christians and other rich Nigerians to always assist the less privileged.

    He acknowledged CAN’s continuous prayers for the ancient city and urged them not to relent, saying “the prayer of the righteous availeth much’’.

    Also, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Adeyeye Adekola, urged CAN to pray to God to return the lost glory of Ile-Ife.

    Adekola also called on Yoruba sons and daughters to prayer for Ile-Ife, the source of the Yoruba race.

    Earlier, Ven. Ayo Banmosun, the General-Overseer of Cherubim and Seraphim, Idapo Alaafia, Odo-ogbe Street, Oja-titun, Ile-Ife, called on Christians to look up to God for their needs.

    Banmosun also urged them to always put their trust in God whom he said never fails those who trust in Him.

    He also appealed to Ife residents to always support the Ooni.

  • Prayer of the redeemed against fear (1) – Femi Aribisala

    By Femi Aribisala

    Fear is an unpleasant feeling we get when we are concerned that something bad is going to happen to us. This feeling can be caused by something real or something just imagined.

    Fear immobilizes us. It prevents us from going forward. It makes us hesitate and procrastinate. It militates against our trust in, and dependence, on God. Fear also adversely affects us psychologically.

    According to scripture, the things we fear turn out to be self-fulfilling prophecies. Job says after the death of his children: “The thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” (Job 3:25).

    Therefore, our confession must be that: “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

    Ask for God’s spirit of power. Ask Him for the spirit of love. Ask Him for the spirit of a sound mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to subdue and overthrow any spirit of fear in your life. Tell him yourself: “The Lord rebukes you. Get thee behind me. You cannot operate in my life. You cannot get a foothold in my heart. I am delivered from your lies. I am delivered by the truth of God.

    Weapon of fear

    The American president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, said: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Indeed, fear is reserved for the enemies of the children of God. Moses says: “The Lord your God will put the dread of you and the fear of you upon all the land where you tread.” (Deuteronomy 11:25).

    God Himself says: “This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the nations under the whole heaven, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.” (Deuteronomy 2:25).

    Ask the Lord to fulfil this scripture in your life. That means even fear should be afraid of you. Ask Him to banish fear from you. Tell Him: “Lord, speak the word and I will be delivered. Cast fear out of my heart and my mind. Empower me and make my adversaries fear me. Contend with all those who contend with me. Make them know that You are my impregnable defense.”

    “Fight for me as you did for the Israelites when you removed the wheels of the chariots of the Egyptians, and they exclaimed: “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.” (Exodus 14:25).

    Fear not!

    Every time God appears on the scene, it seems the first thing he says is “fear not.” It is a command. It must be obeyed. The promise of God says: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

    Therefore, tell God: “This scripture is fulfilled in my hearing. I will not fear because the Lord is my God. I will not fear because the Lord is the strength of my life.”

    “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh,

    my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.”

    “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me. He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me.” (Psalm 27:1-6).

    Believe and speak: “I will not fear because the Lord will not allow me to fall. I will not fear because the Lord is with me. I will not be dismayed because the Lord is my God.”

    Therefore, I choose faith over fear.”

    Sinful fear

    Fear is a sin that inevitably leads to other sins. When confronted with what we fear, we end up making ungodly choices. God says: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and your seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

    However, fear makes a man choose death. Fear makes a woman sleep with her lecturer. Fear makes a man go to a Babalawo and make a covenant with the devil. Fear makes a Peter deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ. But the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13).

    Ask the Lord to decree that fear is banished from your life. There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear. Ask the blessed Holy Spirit to use God’s perfect love to cast out every fear from your heart. Ask God to impress it on your heart that God loves you with everlasting love. Ask the love of God that has been shed in your heart by the Holy Spirit to speak to the enemy of fear at the gate of your heart.

    Fear must not take hold of your heart. It is an outcast: it has no place in you. Fear drives the sinner away from the presence of the Lord. Therefore, ask the Lord to impress it upon you that God loves sinners. Jesus came not to condemn sinners but to save them. The psalmist says: “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.” (Psalm 130:3-4).

    Ask God to drive you in repentance to His throne of grace to receive grace and mercy.

    Tell your heart: “I will not succumb to fear, but I will fear the Lord. I will not be afraid of God, but I will reverence God. I will love God. I will seek the face of God.

    Fear is a lie

    The fearful believe a lie. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith in God. Tell Him: “Let me not believe lies. Let me believe the truth of God. O God, let me believe the word of God. Let me tremble at Your word.”

    The fearful believe that there are many other names by which men can be saved other than the name of Jesus. They believe when they are arrested by the police they can be saved by paying a bribe.

    Tell the Lord: “Let this not be my case.” Tell the Lord: “Cause me to believe that I can only be saved by the truth. Your word is truth.”

    The fearful believe that salvation is in the name of a compromise to integrity and not in the name of Jesus.

    Tell the Lord: “Rescue me from such foolishness. Cause me to understand that there is no other name under heaven apart from the name of Jesus by which we must be saved.” Tell Him: “I know the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are saved.”

    CONTINUED

  • BBNaijas6: Prayer is my coping mechanism-Angel

    BBNaijas6: Prayer is my coping mechanism-Angel

    Big Brother Naija, BBNaija season 6 housemate, Angel has said prayer is her coping mechanism in the house.

    Angel made this known during her diary session with Biggie when asked of how she has been coping with nominations and twists in the house.

    The 21-year-old BBNaija housemate said: “My coping mechanism in the house is prayer.

    “ I told WhiteMoney on Sunday that people might not like me and that’s why I genuinely felt I was going to be evicted on Sunday. I feel I don’t appeal to people.”

    Angel also went ahead to share why she nominated Emmanuel and Saga for eviction.

    According to her, Saga and Emmanuel are the least housemates she connects with.

    She said: “I nominated Saga and Emmanuel because they are the least out of the housemates that I’m connected to in the house. “

    When asked to choose between finding love in the house and N90m grand prize, Angel chose money saying she’s focused on the prize and can’t be in the house just for relationship.

    “I’m focused on the money not love. There are so many love interests outside. I can’t be going through dragging and mental stress in the house for love. Money is the goal,” Angel said.

  • Ebonyi begins 3-day intercessory prayer over death of 2 commissioners

    Ebonyi begins 3-day intercessory prayer over death of 2 commissioners

    The Ebonyi Government has begun a three-day intercessory prayer following the death of two commissioners in the state.

    This is contained is a statement issued by Mr Francis Nwaze, the Special Assistant to Gov. David Umahi, on Media and Publicity on Thursday.

    The prayer tagged “God Protect Our Dear State and Leaders’’ is being organised in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi chapter.

    Nwaze quoted the governor as saying that the prayer was for the leaders in the state and Nigeria at large.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fidelis Nweze, Commissioner for Infrastructural Development died at the Turkish Hospital in Abuja on Tuesday following an auto crash, barely after Mrs Uche Okah, Commissioner of Housing passed on.

    The governor has ordered for autopsy on Nweze.

    “We have directed an autopsy on Nweze. We have also directed that the driver and orderly should go to the Commissioner of Police and make their statements.

    “The two commissioners are irreplaceable and I am saying it with all sense of sincerity, they are destiny helpers to me; while we live, let us live well,’’ Umahi had stated.

  • Nigeria is shaking, we need prayer – Sanwo-Olu

    Nigeria is shaking, we need prayer – Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on clerics to pray for Nigeria as the nation is seriously shaking.

    Nigeria, he said, has been brought down by rising insecurity, ethnicity and religious fanaticism.

    But Sanwo-Olu, on Monday evening, he said Nigeria needed urgent prayer for peace to reign in the midst of insecurity.

    The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Kadir Hamzat at the 2021 Pre-Ramadan lecture/Prayer at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja to usher in the Holy month Ramadan emphasized that the country needed fervent prayers.

    “We should endeavour to pray more because our country is currently shaking. May Allah accept our prayers,” he said.

    In his welcome address, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi said, “The Ramadan fast is a command from the Almighty Allah as recorded in the Holy Quran Chapter 2, Verse 189 and I quote: “O ye believers, fasting has been prescribed unto you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may learn self-restraint.”

    “As we are all aware, this time last year, the whole world was rudely shocked by the intrusion of Coronavirus which forced most countries to lockdown hence the event could not hold as we are doing it today.

    “We therefore have every reason to thank the Almighty Allah for giving the world respite and victory recorded so far over the pandemic,” Elegushi said.

    He called on Muslims to avail themselves for the training and serenity that Ramadan afforded “to cleanse our hearts enrich our souls with virtues and re-dedicate ourselves to the good of humanity and the development and progress of our dear State, Lagos and our great country, Nigeria.’’

    In his lecture, Head, Daru Dawah School, Isolo, Sheikh Is-haq Zuglul said, men should be conscious of their deeds as that would have impacts when they eventually die.

    He spoke on the topic titled, “The Purposefulness of Life- not a matter that can be wished away,” saying the atheists did not have credible answers for their assistance, as they believed men’s existence in life was mere consequences.

    “Idols worshippers believe in the existence of God but do not believe in His messengers. They handpicked messengers for themselves.”

    The Cleric added, “Let me use this gathering to commend the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his role during the EndSARS’ protest, he acted like a caring father who is concerned about the danger in his house. What amazes me is the kindness he exhibited during the protest.”

    Delivering the second lecture, Dr Sa’eid Ahmad, who spoke on the topic, “Avail the teachings of Ramadan for a peaceful & progressive society amidst Covid-19 challenges.” enjoined Muslim faithful to take the issue of safety protocols serious.

  • Religious leaders from 19 countries unite in prayer to overcome COVID-19

    Religious leaders from 19 countries unite in prayer to overcome COVID-19

    While the daily confirmed cases of COVID 19 are consistently increasing worldwide, the world
    religious leaders from seven major religions gathered at the online meeting for the World Interfaith
    Joint Prayer Conference on the 26th of October.

    Approximately 600 people from Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, Confucianism,
    Christianism, and Islam in 19 countries across five continents attended the conference to unite the
    voice of prayers for the eradication of COVID 19.

    The conference was organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) with
    supports from religious leaders cooperating with HWPL. It aimed to unite various religious groups to
    deliver a message of hope to people and religious communities of the world suffering under COVID
    19 and create a platform to overcome the crisis transcending religions and continents.

    HWPL is a Korea-based international peace NGO for global peace and cessation of war. Affiliated
    with the UN ECOSOC and the UN DGC, HWPL has carried out global peace movements, including
    interfaith dialogue meetings called World Alliance of Religions Peace (WARP) Office Meeting.

    The WARP Office Meeting has been conducted in 128 countries since 2014 to strengthen the
    communication among religious leaders based on mutual respect and to accomplish interfaith
    reconciliation to resolve all the global conflicts caused by religions and achieve world peace.
    Even after the global outbreak of COVID 19, an average of 107 WARP offices in 70 countries has
    held online WARP Office Meetings worldwide monthly.

    Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, Chairman of the International Human Rights Committee, said “Today the
    whole world is facing a catastrophic COVID 19 Pandemic, and thousands continue to die. Humanity
    must turn to prayers and seek the Creator’s mercy to bring peace and harmony in our lives. HWPL
    must be congratulated to take the initiative to bring together all the faiths to pray together. I believe
    that religious leaders from around the world taking part in such conferences have a crucial role to
    play. Together, we can shine the light of hope and unite humanity in prayers to stay in peace.”

    The conference consists of a keynotes address from HWPL addressing opening remarks and purpose
    of the conference, congratulatory remarks, and speeches from six religious leaders representing Islam,
    Hinduism, Christianism, Judaism, and Sikhism.

    Marcel Andres Tanguilan, the Administrative Pastor of Knox United Methodist Church, delivered,
    "To me, it has been five years working with HWPL. Through the dialogue of the religious scriptures,
    we always discussed the true understanding of the scriptures. I know that we are having a difficult
    time because of this pandemic. It would be hard as alone, but it will be possible for us to win together,
    and we can overcome it as we gather with one heart in HWPL, despite our differences.

    In the speeches, religious leaders introduced their methods of prayer based on each religion’s tradition
    and scripture and delivered messages to defeat the COVID 19 crisis with collaborative efforts made
    by religious communities.

    Dawud Noibi, the former Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of southwest Nigeria, said,
    “Fellow religious leaders across the world, let us do all we can to give comfort to patients in our
    respective countries suffering from COVID 19. Let us help in propagating this praiseworthy work of
    HWPL by embarking on regular joint prayers in our respective countries for divine intervention
    towards an end to the COVID 19 pandemic and a speedy recovery for those still suffering from it.”

    In the prayer session, all participants simultaneously prayed together for recovery of the world
    through spiritual reflections and the ends of COVID 19 in each language and each religion tradition.

    At the end of the conference, the song of peace with every participant’s wishes was resonating in
    harmony via zoom.

    Ashin Htavara, General Secretary of All Burmese Monks Representative Committee, said: HWPL
    organized this prayer conference with various religious leaders from all over the world. This is the
    unprecedented prayer conference for people of different religions to pray together with one heart. God
    will hear our prayers.

    As an extension of WARP Office Meetings, HWPL organized a series of relay global interfaith prayer
    meetings in October, hoping to end the coronavirus crisis soon. HWPL has hosted online interfaith
    prayer meetings over 20 times with participants in 70 countries this month.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Saraki Felicitates With Muslims, Calls for Prayer for Nigeria

    Eid-el-Kabir: Saraki Felicitates With Muslims, Calls for Prayer for Nigeria

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has felicitated with muslims across the country on the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir festival and called on them to pray for the unity, development and security of Nigeria.

    In a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja on Thursday, Saraki advised Muslims to know that the nation is facing many challenges which pose serious threat to her unity and progress while noting that citizens need to rededicate themselves physically, spiritually and intellectually to the cause of saving and serving the country.

    He added that a period like that of Eid-el-Kabir, a season of sacrifice and demonstration of faith, provides an opportunity for such renewal of patriotism. The Eid-el-Kabir festival, he stated, symbolizes the voluntary obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (ASW) to the commands of Allah and the demonstration of his faith in his maker.

    He urged Muslims to also remember that Allah commands them to obey the laws of their land, comply with lawful directives from the government of the day, live in peace with their neighbours and commit their affairs into the hands of the ultimate controller.

    “There is no time that we need to demonstrate all the lessons of Eid-el-Adha than now. Apart from the economic and security problems, the unique challenges imposed on our environment by the Covid-19 pandemic demand that we all work together to reduce the spread of the virus, maintain peace in our society and help to channel the lean resources of state to funding of priority issues.

    “It is therefore important for all of us to avoid huge gatherings and other conduct which may lead to the spread of Covid-19. We should also stick to the use of face masks, wash our hands from time to time, apply hand sanitizers and maintain physical distance. This is important to avert a situation where after Sallah, there would be increased cases of people infected with the virus”, he stated.

    He urged muslims to use the sallah period to intensify prayers for the country. “We should seek for Almighty Allah (SWT) to heal her, restore full security, prosperity, peace and strengthen her unity. We should pray for victory for our soldiers fighting against insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country and protection for our health officials on the frontlines striving to prevent the spread of Covid-19 across the country”, Saraki stated.

  • Despite FG’s warning, Kano insists Eid prayers will hold in mosques

    Despite FG’s warning, Kano insists Eid prayers will hold in mosques

    Kano Government has insisted Eid Fitri prayers will hold in mosques across the state on Sallah Day with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje last Tuesday approved open prayers to mark the Eid Fitri.

    Ganduje, who also approved Sunday service for Christians, mapped out protocols during the religious gatherings.

    Reacting to Federal Government’s directive that religious gatherings should not take place during lockdown, Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said Kano has no choice but to go ahead with approval for the Eid Fitri prayers.

    According to him: “Our people will pray in mosques. We have already decided on this issue and strategies on how to ensure their safety have been put in place.

    “Kano state government has been working hand-in-hand with the Federal Government in our efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

    “The COVID-19 protocols will be strictly adhered to by worshippers at the Eid- prayer ground.

    “We have taken the decision for them to conduct Eid prayers in the state. To change gear now could amount to another thing and it makes no meaning.”

    He added: “You are also aware that already, operational guidelines for the controlled easing of the pandemic-induced restriction has been released.

    “Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed the state Hisbah Board
    to hold meeting with Imams and deploy its personnel to Friday (Juma’at mosques)
    across the state to ensure that worshipers comply with personal hygiene through
    maintaining social distancing, hand washing with soap, use of hand sanitizers
    and face masks.”

    A crucial security meeting is ongoing at the Government House with service chiefs in attendance.

    The purpose of the meeting, presided over by Ganduje, may not be unconnected with a final decision on religious gatherings.

  • Covid-19: MFM directs members to repeat 30-day prayer retreat from June 8

    Covid-19: MFM directs members to repeat 30-day prayer retreat from June 8

    The Mountain of Fire and Miracles, MFM Ministries has directed the repeat of her 30 days Prayer Retreat – the second session ends this weekend.

    The General Overseer of MFM worldwide, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, who gave the directive, stated: “From 8th of June. We restart the prayers using the former booklet.

    “From 25th of May to 7th of June, members are to read Psalm 91 and carry out aggressive praise worship for 15 minutes each day,” the GO directed.

    It is recalled that the ministry issued a 62 pages prayer pamphlets for use by both MFM members and interested parties, to guide them through 30 days of intensive prayers to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the land.

    The booklet contains prayers vomited by the Holy Ghost, to quench the pandemic rage. They are multifaceted prayers aimed at igniting revival and arresting stormy winds, decimating infirmity and directing everyone back to God, Dr. Olukoya stated in the foreword, adding that “the remedy to this pandemic is the ever efficacious blood of Jesus.

    “These prayers can be prayed at anytime of the day

  • Covid-19: Put an end to this plague, Pastor Adeboye begs God

    General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday begged God to have mercy on the entire world over the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Adeboye, who spoke through a live broadcast by the DOVE Television, during the Sunday service monitored by our correspondent, advised all to continue to pray for God to quickly put an end to the pandemic.

    His opening prayer: “Today once again, Lord we are asking for mercy for all your children, for your church, for our nation and for the entire world.

    “Please Lord have mercy on us all. Very, very quickly Lord, put an end to this Coronavirus. Let your healing power flow through your word to the entire world.

    “Lay your mighty hand upon those who are sick. Please out of your mercy heal them all. All those who are in sorrow, father comfort them.”

    Meanwhile, the cleric who preached on Calvary and curses, however, admonished that whatever God does, “He does it perfectly well”.

    He said: “Well, it has pleased God that we will still be ministering to you this Sunday.

    “We know whatever God does, He does it perfectly well.

    “So definitely He has a reason for whatever is happening right now.”

    Despite the lockdown, which was also enforced in Nigeria, many continue to die daily as scientists across the globe battle against time to find a vaccine for the virus, which first emerged in Wuhan, China in December, 2019.

    Since the lockdown in Nigeria, many church leaders, including Adeboye, whose church is headquartered in Ogun, have been holding online services with their members since public gatherings have equally been banned.