Christians In Borno Commence Prayer Week

Christians in Borno State has commenced a one week fasting and prayer for his protection, blessings and preservation amidst religious hostilities here in Borno due to the insurgency they are experiencing.

Rev. Bitrus Bdliya chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Maiduguri Metropolitan 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 said,"unless we do this we cant 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"Rev Bitrus Bdiya said.

He said, "the great aoologist, Ignatius once said,'the nearer the sword, the nearer God'. He also said when he was about to be thrown to the lions, "Iam God's grain and iam ground by the teeth of the wild beast that I may be fiund oure bread".

The history of prosecution 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, said Rev. Bdliya.

He said,"By the grace of God, another Constantine would emerge in the Northern part of Nigeria where Christians are persecuted in Jesus's name".

The Metro 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 will be in vain, we will be just like the 450 prophets of Baal and prophet Elijah on mount Carmel.