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Rev. Fr. Paul Salami, the Parish Priest, St Michael Catholic Church, Kagini, Bwari Area Council, FCT, has urged Christians to use the 2024 Lent period to intercede for Nigeria.
Salami told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, that there was a need to ask for divine intervention for the country’s economic challenges.
“If we look at the situation today, it is pathetic and terrible.
“There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel, a state of hopelessness everywhere among Nigerians.
“Difficult as it may look, it is important we use this season of Lent to beg God to show mercy on us as individuals and as a nation in general.
“We need to beg God to ease the pains of His children and bring a positive turn around.
“It is a sacrifice we must make through intensive fasting, prayers and giving of alms,’’ he said.
Salami urged Christians to pray for the world at large, especially for warring countries globally, and those going through famine and other unnatural and natural disasters.
He charged Christians to form the habit of praying at all times while also giving God supplications through periodic fasting, as the need arises.
Salami said this act was to emulate and share in the suffering of Jesus Christ before his eventual death on the cross and his resurrection after three days.
The clergy, while encouraging giving as an act of love as mandated by God, urged Christians to cultivate the habit of generosity in spite of the economic hardship.
Mr Ebirim Robert, a parishioner, said that giving was an obligation that opened doors for blessings, therefore all Nigerians should emulate it.
He said that the act was not only about giving out money or material things, but also a show of kindness and love to people who might be needing care.
Robert said that helping with work in the home; hospitals or old people seeking companionship were also an act of giving.
“Some people may just need our talent or time to just talk and pour out their worries.
“ Others may be living in isolation, feeling rejected or abandoned. These are the people to visit and care for in order for them to feel cherished.
“When it comes to giving, you don’t have to be a millionaire, President of a country or a Senator before you can give.
“It is said that no one is too poor to give and no one is too rich to receive,’’ he said.
Mrs Esther Achugo, a parishioner, urged Christians not to relent in praying for the country.
Achugo urged Christians to use the Lenten season to cry out to God in total submission on behalf of the nation.
She urged Christians to make the effort to keep to the Lenten sacrifice, the fast and teachings as part of life and even after the Lenten period.
NAN reports that Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks before Easter Sunday.
The purpose of Lent is the preparation of Christians for Easter through prayer, doing penance, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving and self-denial.
NAN also reports that the religious event is mostly observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist and Catholic Churches globally. (NAN)
14th February, 2024.
C.E.
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