CLERICS of the Christ Apostolic Church stock have called on the Federal Government to set aside a day dedicated to prayers for God to heal what they described as the “many wounds inflicted on the Nigeria and to put it on a steady path of development.”
The clerics, Pastor Gideon Obiwale of CAC, FESTAC DCC, Lagos and Prophet Sam Olu Alo of CAC Mountain of Mercy (Oke Aanu), Erio-Ekiti and founder, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain (GMPM), who made the call while addressing newsmen, said all would be well with Nigeria “if Christians, without consideration for denominations, gather with unity of purpose to pray for the country.”
The clerics, who spoke at the ongoing yearly nine-day open air crusade of CAC Adamimogo Outreach programme with the theme: “I will Heal your Wounds” at GMPM Grounds, called on the Federal Government to emulate America which had a day set aside for thanksgiving to God and enjoy bountiful blessings and grace like America.
The CAC ministers also faulted any form of government regulation of the tenure of leaders of religious organisations, describing it as “attempt to silence those who had God’s call and as well invitation to anarchy.”
Olu Alo, who described “lack despite abundance, hardship despite natural endowments, dishonesty, lack of fear of God and absence of good governance and leadership as wounds in the lives of Nigeria and her citizens”, said “return to God, salvation of souls, healing, deliverance of the oppressed and those in bondage and divine blessings” had been the hallmark of the crusade which will end on Sunday.
“Nigeria is sick spiritually and physically, but God has assured of healing balm. God, who is the only one that can heal the country’s wound is being neglected. The people and leaders have to return to God,” the cleric, who described the crusade as yet another opportunity for the faithful to ask God to heal Nigeria, said.
Obiwale added that the divinely inspired crusade “is to make sure that at the beginning of the year, we bless people’s souls and set those living in bondage free through the blood and name of Jesus Christ.”
Obiwale, who urged Nigeria to emulate America by setting aside a day for national prayers, said the role of spirit-filled religious leaders in sustaining peace and development by way of praying for the nation could not be over-emphasized, as he described any move by government or group to regulate tenure of leaders of religious organisations as affront, form of limitation and invitation to anarchy, which would be resisted.
Olu-Alo, who called on appropriate authorities to review the “resignation clause” in the controversial regulation to avert the wrath of God, said: “You are calling for crisis when you force men of God to retire. Men of God are special beings to be respected, but the way many carry themselves is regrettable.
“The government is supposed to bow before us. Men of God are supposed to be directing the affairs of this country. They ought to hear from God to direct the political leaders. David and Solomon in the Bible were successful because they had prophets and men of God around them.