Following incessant attacks on Christians in most parts of the country, leading to the death of many, adherents of the faith have been urged to turn to prayers for God to prevent extermination of Christianity.
ECWA President, Reverend Stephen Baba Panya, lamented in a statement he personally signed saying, “Our very existence as Christians in our dear Nation Nigeria has never been at stake as it is now.
“It is very clear that the spirit of Haman, whose avowed aim is the complete extermination of Christians, is viciously at work in this nation and the government (Esther 3:8-9).
“Our CAN National Leader, His Eminence Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, made this very clear enough, during his World Press Conference on 23rd January 2020.
“As a people, Christians have been rendered powerless and helpless in this nation. Like the time of Nehemiah, we are in trouble and disgrace (Nehemiah 2:17).
“Our only hope now of deliverance from complete extermination is help from above, the Maker of heaven and earth, from the God of Israel, who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121).
“Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
He further argued, “Let all ECWA sons and daughters therefore join faith together with brethren all over this nation and all over the world, to plead with God to have mercy on us and intervene to deliver us and our dear nation, and turn the tables against enemies of the Cross and God’s people.”
In the text of the statement titled, Calling on all ECWA members/Churches in Nigeria and beyond, to fully join in the declared Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, special days of prayers, fasting and prayer walk for Nigeria on 31st January to Sunday 2nd February, 2020.
“On the first day of prayer and fasting, they should like the Ninevites (Jonah 3), name, confess and repent of our many sins without making any excuse.”
He added, “As it is written, blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast.
“Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, O LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
He therefore enjoined Christians to remain firm in the faith and trust in God Almighty for his mercies, protection and divine purpose in their lives.
