The Nation Newspaper

Category: Worship

  • Anglican Communion declares five-day prayer summit  

    No fewer than 5,000 prayer intercessors will converge on Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo for a five-day prayer summit from March 6-10.

    The summit with the theme bringing back the ark of God will be declared open by Primate of Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, The Most Rev. Dr Nicholas Okoh on March 7.

    A statement by chairman Ibadan Province Prayer Convocation Bishop H.B Olumakaiye encouraged all Nigerians to commit the nation to the hands of God during the five days.

    He said the nation required prayers to survive the biting recession and other security challenges.

    Olumakaiye appealed to Christians and denominations to join faith with the intercessors observe the prayer convocation “as we travail and prevail in the place of prayer.”

  • Adeboye canvasses support for military personnel

    General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called for more budgetary allocations to the armed forces to properly address insecurity challenges in the nation.

    More budgetary allocations, according to him, will help to equip them better for the task of protecting the nation’s territorial sovereignty.

    Adeboye spoke last Sunday at a special prayer and thanksgiving service for military and paramilitary officials and their families at the RCCG Throne of Grace, National Headquarters, Ebute-Meta, Lagos.

    Some of the guests at the service included Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, Lagos State Sector Commandant of Federal Road Safety Corps, Hyginus Omeje, and Deputy Director, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Daniel Abe.

    Adeboye stressed the needs for government to extend more funding to the military considering the insecurity challenges across the nation.

    He said: “The military force deserves the supports, prayers, encouragement of all Nigerians and more funds to perform efficiently.”

    He commended efforts of the military in tackling insurgency and other forms of militancy, saying they would do much more with better support and funds.

    Adeboye, who spoke through the Assistant General Overseer Administration and Personnel of RCCG, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said: “Our military personnel are one of the best in the world.

    They can develop locally made guns to fight, like we had during the civil war.

    “They have the potential to do more and keep Nigeria secure and united if they are well supported.”

    He, however, urged the military to be considerate and not take advantage of the insurgency challenges to make over bloated budgetary allocations.

    He also challenged them to perform their duties as unto the Lord, stressing that whatever they do has great consequences for themselves, their families and the nation.

    He assured them of the God’s divine protection, saying: “I want to urge military personnel to commit their lives to the Lord of hosts who is able to fight their own battle for them and they will not be disappointed.”

    Abel, who was full of commendations for the service, said: “I strongly believe that the General Overseer of RCCG is seeing in the spirit that we need prayers more at this time.

    “We are fighting to protect the land on every front but it is only God that can fight our own battles for us.”

  • 2017 year of pleasant surprises, says Akanbi at 55

    General Overseer of God’s Mercy Revival Ministries (GOMERM), Dr James Akanbi, has declared 2017 as a year of pleasant surprises.

    He said the nation, especially Christians will witness pleasant surprises that will transform their lives.

    Akanbi spoke at the 3 supernatural Sundays of the church with the theme ‘total transformation’.

    Speaking on the last Sunday, which coincided with his 55th birthday, Akanbi said:  “Where people will see you soon, the level where they will meet you, the atmosphere where you will manifest, will beat the imaginations of your enemy.

    “Every day, every week and every month in 2017 shall be fruitful and productive for you. Your land shall bring forth its greatest fruitfulness this year.”

    He said those who remain faithful to God will thrive in 2017, regardless of the general economic outlook.

    Akanbi charged Christians to look up to God and operate within divine instructions for unimaginable productivity in the year.

    Zonal pastors who ministered at the supernatural Sundays include Pastors Emmanuel Odunmorayo, Ezekiel Adewuyi, Victor Idowu, Josiah Mogbonjubola and Joe Odiase, all members of the Ministry’s Management Group.

    Different prophecies and words of knowledge were released during the programme.

    But the programme wasn’t about word ministrations and prophecies alone.

    There were also power prayer sessions just as many sinners surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and accepted him as the Lord and saviour.

    Many in the service also shared testimonies of how they received the divine touch of God and were instantly healed of long-terms ailments during the programme.

    The Zion Voices, the church choir, also ministered in songs along with invited gospel artistes like Evang. Bukola Akinade (Senwele Jesus), Evang. Seun Makanjuola (Gbemisoke) and Olanrewaju Bolaji (Big Bolaji).

    They led the congregation in a glorious praise and joyful celebration of God for His continuous faithfulness in the ministry.

  • PFN reelected Omobude for another four years

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has returned Dr Felix Omobude as its national president for a second term of four years.

    At its 14th biennial conference in Benin City last week, the PFN leadership and General Assembly expressed appreciation for the work done by the Omobude-led National Executive Council in its first term.

    The body voted for Omobude and the executive council to run its affairs for another four years.

    To serve with Omobude are:  Bishop Francis Wale Oke as Deputy National President; Apostle Emmanuel Kure, National Secretary; Rev. Felix Meduoye, National Treasurer and Bishop Goddy Okafor, Deputy National Secretary.

    Others are Rev. Michael Tosin-Oni, National Financial Secretary; Barrister Alex Izinyon SAN as National Legal Adviser; Pastor John Ayodele, Internal Auditor; Bishop Emma Isong, Publicity Secretary; Archbishop John Praise Daniel, Welfare Officer and Dr Mercy Ezekiel as National Prayer coordinator.

    Thousands of delegates from the federation attended the conference, which attracted Acting President Yemi Osibanjo, Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki and leaders of the Pentecostal community, including Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Bishop David Oyedepo and others.

    In a communiqué after the conference, the PFN called on the federal government live up to its constitutional responsibility of securing live and property, especially in the face of terrorist activities by herdsmen and the killings in Southern Kaduna.

    It also expressed concerns over hardship experienced by Nigerians, asking the federal government to take urgent to mitigate pains of the masses.

    These, the PFN said, will curb inflation, stem the tide of unemployment and find solution to the exchange rate that has eroded the value of the naira.

    It wishes President Muhammadu Buhari a speedy recovery and quick return to his desk to carry on with the task of addressing the challenges presently facing the nation.

  • PLIN to FG: Prosecute herdsmen or else…

    A group, Pastors Leaders Interceding Network (PLIN), has challenged the federal government to prosecute marauding killer-herdsmen to avoid negative backlashes from terrorised communities.

    Its convener, Apostle Dele Johnson, warned communities at the receiving ends might be forced to fight back, leading to a chain of chaotic security challenges should government fail to arrest the killer-herdsmen.

    Addressing newsmen last Friday in Lagos, Johnson said prosecuting the herdsmen will serve as deterrents and reassure overrun communities of protection.

    The general overseer of Jesus Liberation Squad expressed worries that some Nigerians were already planning of self-defence because the herdsmen have been killing with impunities.

    According to him: “There would be no need for self-defence if government secures lives and property.

    “Self-defence is a recipe for anarchy and we dare say government must arrest the situation before retaliatory attacks start all over the nation.”

    PLIN also backed the death sentence option embraced by some states for kidnappers, saying the measure will stem the tide.

    On the anti- corruption war, the group advised it shouldn’t be selective but holistic.

    It also called on government to get forensic economists to revamp the economy and drive the nation out of recession.

    It also said government must draw out a clear cut economic policy that will help the nation out of economic logjam.

    PLIN advised Christian leaders to close ranks and speak with one voice “for the church rather than secluding themselves from matters affecting the general church or using isolated approaches to issues that require a united front.”

  • CAN holds thanksgiving service

    CAN holds thanksgiving service

    The 2017 annual Inter-Denominational Divine Service (IDDS) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos chapter holds on Saturday, February 18.
    The venue of the service with the theme grace in recession is Shepherd Hill Baptist Church, Obanikoro.
    The special guest of honour is Lagos governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
    A state wide sensitisation rally for the service kicks off on February 9 simultaneously across the 20 Local Government Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) of the state.
    A statement by the secretary of Lagos CAN, Dr Israel Akinadewo, urged all denominations and church leaders to “fully participate in the rally aimed primarily at raising awareness for the unique prayer and solemn assembly of Christians in Lagos State.”

  • Fulani herdsmen worse than Boko Haram, says PFN

    Fulani herdsmen worse than Boko Haram, says PFN

    Fulani herdsmen have caused the nation more havoc than the Boko Haram terrorists, Lagos chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has declared.
    The body said Fulani herdsmen have killed more Nigerians and created worse security tensions than the terrorists.
    It called on President Muhammadu Buhari to arrest the nefarious activities of the herdsmen across the nation.
    Lagos PFN chairman, Bishop Sola Ore, stated these at a media conference by the body in Lagos last week.
    Ore, in a strong-worded speech, said: “There are obvious signs a group worse than Boko Haram is here with us in the name of Fulani herdsmen.
    “We are left with no alternative than to conclude that there is something in the offing that is not clear to many Nigerians.”
    Ore lamented that no herdsman has been arrested, let alone prosecuted for the atrocious killings in Southern Kaduna.
    “Who has been prosecuted for the killings? Who has been sent to jail? Is this government saying it does not know the masterminds of the dastardly acts?”
    The PFN helmsman also bemoaned the fate of Christians in the current administration, declaring that no one can Islamise the nation as insinuated in many quarters.
    “Nigerian Christians have suffered too much. We have been killed. We have been brutalised. We have been denied our basic rights.
    “Many of our churches in the north have had to close down due to insurgency but even before the security challenges, many northern states denied our right to land ownership when it comes to church building.
    “We believe Nigeria is a multi-religious state and people should be allowed to worship God the way they want. The continuous repression of a particular faith will not augur well for us as a nation,” Ore stated.
    He supported self-defence, saying it would be foolish for Christians to allow herdsmen kill them in any part of the nation.
    “If a thief comes to my house and wants to kill me, I would kill him before he gets to me.
    “There is a time to carry swords. I will kill you before you kill me and that does not stop me from being a Christian. In fact after that, I will be more Christian.”
    On the suspended governance code of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria, Ore said the PFN is not against probity and accountability.
    He, however, alleged some sections of the code were satanic, insisting they were targeted at independent Pentecostal churches, which he claimed were more visible in the nation.
    “We are against tenure for church leaders. Government does not have any right to put its nose into the running of affairs of churches.
    “While we are ready to abide by the codes and laws that are legitimate, we will like to state that the Pentecostal body in Lagos state will resist any attempt to frustrate the church,” the general overseer of Love Aglow Ministries, Festac, stressed.
    Ore explained that the Lagos PFN was already registering genuine members with a view to flushing out bad eggs.
    He disowned Pentecostal preachers that sell “objects to members, collecting money for miracles, exploiting members and taking advantage of their spiritual ignorance to dupe,” insisting “they are not part of us.”

  • Reciprocate God’s faithfulness, Atere charges

    Reciprocate God’s faithfulness, Atere charges

    The Bishop of the Diocese of Awori (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Johnson Atere, has called on Nigerians to reciprocate God’s faithfulness in their lives by emulating Jesus Christ who remained faithful to God even at the point of death.
    Atere spoke last Sunday at the 50th founder’s day anniversary of St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
    He enjoined Nigerians to remain steadfast and embrace God for the country to overcome its ongoing challenges.
    The Bishop appealed to Nigerians to be faithful to God in all their endeavours and equally prepare to suffer for their faithfulness.
    He assured those faithful would be vindicated at the end of the day, regardless of the tribulations they might have gone through in the course of their faithfulness to the Almighty.
    The cleric noted that the country had refused to progress significantly because of unfaithfulness to God.
    He counselled Nigerians not to be afraid to turn to God in prayers and fasting to beat the ills plaguing the society.
    Atere said that the nation was, no doubt, going into the sea of storms, considering the number of sophisticated weapons being illegally imported into the country.
    He also lamented the destruction of lives and properties, kidnapping, assassination and other vices.
    Nigerians, he said, were already apprehensive of the storm that would envelop the country if both leaders and followers failed to urgently turn to God for salvation.
    In his sermon at the occasion, with the theme: God’s Faithfulness (Isaiah 25:1), Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. (Dr) James Odedeji, urged all Christians to be expectant of the second coming of Christ.
    He urged them to seek God’s face in every situation and rejoice forever so that the Lord’s faithfulness would remain uninterrupted and flow like a river
    While praying for the Lord’s faithfulness to remain with the Church, he pleaded with the parishioners to ensure their lives glorify God by giving their lives to Jesus.
    The vicar, Rev. Canon Emmanuel Adekoya, pointed out that history had it at the foundation-laying ceremony of the first building of the church on February 1st, 1969.
    The then Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, the late Rev Seith Kale, he recalled, said the location made it possible, inevitable and imperative for the church to be big and great.
    “This prophecy has continued to manifest in the giant strides the Church has continued to witness till this day to the glory of God,” Adekoya noted.

  • Commanding the Supernatural by the Power of the Tongue!

    Commanding the Supernatural by the Power of the Tongue!

    God’s Word is the spiritual mirror that shows us God’s picture for our lives—who we are in Christ , what we carry, what we can do and how to do them. As it is written: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:25). It is knowing who we are, where we are from, what we are worth and what we carry from the Word that empowers us to become what we have been redeemed to be. Therefore, until we catch our real picture from God’s Word, we will be subjected to the hazards in the world.
    There was a story told by Kenneth E. Hagin about a lion cub that was captured and made to grow among sheep. Whenever they went to the stream and sighted a lion on the other side, all the sheep fled for their lives, including the lion-sheep. Invariably, it lost its lionic identity by virtue of its environment until the day it saw its reflection on the surface of the water. That day, it regained its identity and confidence. As a result, when other sheep fled at the appearance of a lion, it didn’t. This helps us to understand that we must not allow our environment to corrupt the picture of who we really are.
    Who are we? •Every child of God is redeemed a citizen of heaven: By redemption, every child of God has been translated from the kingdom of the earth to the Kingdom of His own dear Son, Jesus. That means at redemption, we are translated into another Kingdom, which is situated in the heavenly places (Philippians 3:20; Ephesians 2:6).
    •We are redeemed as ambassadors of Christ on the earth: An ambassador is an official, who lives in a foreign country as the senior representative of his or her own country. Any assault against him/her is an assault against the nation he represents. Similarly, we are heavenly citizens on ambassadorial missions on the earth to reconcile the world to God. As such, we are “no go” areas for the things that torture others. Therefore, we must have a sense of immunity and an ambassadorial mentality to enhance our level of command of the supernatural (2 Corinthians 5:20; John 3:31; John 8:23).
    However, to be an ambassador of heaven, you must first be a citizen of heaven by being born again. Are you born again? This means, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you haven’t, you can do so as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”
    For further reading, please get my books: Releasing The Supernatural, Walking In The Miraculous, Commanding The Supernatural.
    I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively.
    I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Righteousness ’ll restore Nigeria’s glory, says cleric

    Senior Pastor of Grace Family International Church, Lagos State, Rev Yinka Ojo, has called on Nigerians to be righteous for the nation’s glory to be restored.
    He spoke at the men’s conference of the church recently.
    Righteousness, according to him, will also enable Nigerians to carry out His purpose and will for the nation.
    He assured that Nigerians should expect a new beginning in their lives if the nation could do the Lord’s commandments.
    He noted the men’s conference with the theme Commanded drawn from Joshua 1:9 is a clear indication God will bring restoration to those prepared to do as He has commanded.
    Stressing that God was up to doing something big in the nation, Ojo said that only those who listen to His commandments will however enjoy them.
    He appealed to Nigerians to be compassionate, merciful, meek, humble, spiritual, holy, self-denying and forbearing.
    According to him: “For a better society, Nigerians must begin to think in a new way, they must see themselves as belonging to the Joshua generation by taking responsibilities for themselves and possessing their possession, which the Lord had made available for them.”
    He charged the men to be leaders of proven integrity and track record as heads of their families.
    The cleric challenged them to provide leadership worthy of emulation.
    He also tasked them to ensure high morale in their household and maintain the good image of the families in particular and the nation in general.
    The annual conference featured music ministrations, lectures, novelty football match, free health check-up and thanksgiving service.