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…..injustice, iniquity abound in society; says CAN Chairman
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Hundreds of thousands of Christians have gathered in Borno in prayers, seeking divine intervention over rain shortage in the state.
Most parts of Borno have not experienced rainfall for about a month now, fueling concerns and apprehension among residents.
Borno State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop John Bakeni said the shortage of rain in the state could be a divine punishment for wrong doing especially injustice.
“Whatever suffering we go through now can be explained from the bible. It is a spiritual thing; when there is no justice, people suffer. We have seen this in the books of Amos, Jeremiah and other prophets,” he said in an opening remark to the congregation in Maiduguri on Friday.
He said Christians came together to cry to God for mercy and help. He said they were not righteous or sinless but only come to God in prayers asking for divine intervention and healing of the land.
Bakeni, a Catholic Bishop, said science may explain why rain seized in Borno since late June and conclude based on human activities including violations of the environment. He maintained the problem was more spiritual than ordinary based on the various events recorded in the bible about rain seizure, drought, famine and other natural challenges.
We have come to cry to God in unity not because we are sinless but because the bible says God will heal our land if we forsake our sinful life,” he declared, urging the faithfuls to ask for mercy first.
Prayers were led by over a dozen clerics in English language and other Nigerian languages including Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Bra, Chibok, Gwoza among others.
Rain season occurs in Borno between June and September every year. Parts of the state experienced rainfall since June 25.
