500 Clerics kick- off 21 days’ prayer for Nigeria’s Unity against destabilization

Over 500 clerics from diverse denominations of both Christianity and Islam have commenced a 21-Day prayer and fasting for the unity, peace, stability of Nigeria and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari whom they said is ordained by God to bring lasting peace to the country.

The group under the auspices of National Interfaith and Religious Organisations for Peace (NIFROP) on Friday, converged on the Abuja Unity Fountains in their numbers to call upon God for his intervention to end the myriad of challenges facing the country as well as expose those behind the Boko Haram insurgency and those ideologies targeted at disintegrating the country.

in his opening speech, NIFROP president, Bishop Sunday Garuba emphasised the need for true love amongst adherent of the two faiths in a way that does not negate the act of true worship.

“Brethren we have come to that point when we can no longer persist in our division and way of life that rend us asunder contrary to God’s will. We can no longer continue to posture that all is well when it is clear that God wants us to repent of the sins we commit against ourselves and the glorious land that the Lord has provided for us in Nigeria.

“We had also prayed in the past and God humbled the Boko Haram terrorists since President Muhammadu Buhari came on board. God brought President Buhari on board after the prayers of this group to redeem Nigeria and the many blessings. These terrorists had thumped their nose at God in their ignorance but they were put to shame because they never knew that President Buhari was coming as God’s right hand against their evil intentions.” He added.

Bishop Garuba called on all to be fervent in prayers as it has proven to be the only potent tool to defeat the enemy.

Also speaking on the theme: “Our similarities and not our differences define us as a people and as a country.” an Islamic Cleric Sheikh Baba Koki who took his text from chapter 6, verse 109, of the Holy Quran noted that respect for one another and tolerance remains the key factor in defeating the common enemy of the nation.

“We can’t deny the fact that, indeed, forces of darkness have set up an agenda towards the disintegration of Nigeria by attempting to pitch our Muslims brothers against our Christian brothers. In this circumstance, our doctrine of Love for All, Hatred for None, is threatened by the activities of those that do not have the interest of Nigeria at heart.” He said.

In his remarks, President of South-South college of Bishops, Arch-Bishop Julius Ediwe noted that God has envisioned Nigeria as a great nation and called on all to united in prayers for the destiny of the nation.

“We have faith that God Almighty can free us; we have faith that if we return to God genuinely, remorsefully and pensively over our sins, reconcile ourselves with one another and beg for forgiveness, our merciful God will restore to us our lost glory, which the devil has snatched from us.

“The sovereignty of Nigeria reminds us of what our Lord said  in Genesis 26: 3-4 that, “Sojourn in this land, I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants, I will give all these lands and I will establish the oath, which I swore to your father Abraham . I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and I will give your descendants all these lands and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”

Prayers were offered for the president, Muhammadu Buhari and all the leaders of the country in various capacities.

The event which featured praise and worship was also spiced with melodious koranic recitations

As renowned gospel artist Solomon Lange took the stage with praises to the high heavens, there is no doubts that this exercise will lift burdens.