Prayer Summit: CAN Seeks God's Intervention in Pending Electoral Cases, Other National Challenges.

By oswald Agwu

The Christian Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State Chapter has organised a one day prayer summit to seek God's intervention over impending electoral Court cases and other teething challenges facing the State and the nation

The prayer summit organised in collaboration with the State government was held Thursday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

The summit was the first following the recent inauguation of a new CAN leadership in the State under Reverend Scamb Chinedum Nwokolo.

Addressing newsmen during the event, Nwokolo explained that current happenings in the country demands a general return to God by all citizens, adding that equity and justice is needed for stability in the administration of Ebonyi State in particular, and Nigeria in general.

Nwokolo explained: "The zeal to organize this program is based on happenings within and around us in Nigeria in general and Ebonyi State in particular.

"Our belief in God is that with Him, all things are possible.

"Nigeria is now under the whims and caprices of collapse and all that, and the only thing that can revive this nation is returning back to God so that wherever we have erred, through prayer intercession, we may be able to reverse from the point of our dwelling, ideas and mindsets that have culminated to the present doldrums that Nigeria has found itself.

"Moreso, we are aware that there are impending Court cases over State government and other strong stakeholders of the State both those here and those at national levels.

"We equally believe that the emergence of any leader in whichever way anyone may see it, is entirely orchestrated by God almighty.

"And because of the issue of justice and equity, the only thing we need to do is to ask God to intervene in situations like this to guide the conscience of everybody in Ebonyi State."

The Church leader urged all Ebonyi citizens to make the development of the State top priority in all dealings, stressing that there cannot be any development without peace.

"Again, it is for God to give us the mindset of thinking for the future development of the State.

"The wellbeing of the State should be greater in priority in the affairs of any man in the State so that as we are seeking the peace of Ebonyi State and Nigeria, all of us will have peace" Nwokolo stressed.

Ebonyi Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obilla, who represented Governor Francis Nwifuru at the event, described the prayer summit as timely.

She emphasized that Nwifuru"s administration came to change the narratives of the people of the State, build unity and love and guarantee the welfare of the people.

While soliciting for continued prayers from CAN for the success of the administration, she appreciated them for the summit and for employing the association as a unifying platform for the entire Christendom.

Delivering a sermon, Rev. Emmanuel Nshi of the Assemblies of God Church admonished Christians to always persevere in prayer and seek the will of God as they plan to make positive differences in society.

Referencing the story of the Biblical Nehemiah, he stressed that fervent prayers and effective planning remain the most potent weapons to dislodge all roadblocks against the progress of the State and the nation in general.

Setting the tone for the event, the State CAN secretary, Reverend father Joseph Origbo stated that the gathering was a divine mandate and a holy duty that would guarantee peace, unity and progress of the State.

He noted that the heights so far attained by Ebonyi in spite of her limitations as a young and meagre resource State were products of God's grace, and enjoined all and sundries to join hands in building the State to attain her eldorado.

"Finally, we are here to offer our petitions on behalf of our dear State's leader, the Governor, a builder God has given to us at this point in time to build bridges between communities and people through reconciliation.

"His health is our health and his success is our success.

"Therefore we ultimately owe him our prayers for the success and prosperity of our State" Origbo submitted.

The theme for the prayer summit was "Arise and build" taken from the Bible book of Nehemiah chapter 2 verse 20.