Seek God’s face over hardship, iniquity, vices

From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu.

Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt Rev. Samuel Ike has charged Nigerians to use this period of Lent to seek the face of God over the excruciating hardship, iniquity and vices of all kinds that have bedevilled the country.

Delivering his Ash Wednesday message on Wednesday at the Cathedral Church of Good Shepherd, Independent Layout Enugu, the Bishop urged all Nigerians to join the Christians in the 40 days of prayer, fasting and reflection.

Lamenting the many woes of the country, the Bishop, Prof. Ike, said there was no better period than now for the people of Nigeria to cry to God in penitence over corruption and misgovernance.

“Our sins have separated between us and God so that he does not hear us. In Nigeria today we have a lot of hardship, everything is going topsy-turvy. Both the rich, the poor and the middle class, they’re also crying. And so under this period of our chastening for sins, for our misgovernance, we need to fast, that is why it is very appropriate if we never fasted before, sought the face of God ever before, we are much more enjoined that this period, to see reason when we’re under chasten in our country to do fast.

“When we are under judgment, when we’re under sin, when corruption riddles everywhere, when iniquity, vices of all kinds are all arife and well everywhere. Especially in our diocese, in Enugu, when we are pleading with God for revival times.

“It needs clear repentant hearts and souls, with hearts that are chastened to listen to God and broken to do his will, that live transparent lives. This is a period and that is the manner of demeanor that brings in a time of refreshing according to Acts 3:19.”

Stressing why the people should fast, the Bishop said, “In Nigeria today where the state of every aspect of our polity, of our governance, of our social and moral fabric, of our value system and the economy are in shambles, we need much more to fast.”

He explained that fasting helps to chasten the people’s souls, as it crucifies the appetite so that they could be more sensitive to the things of the spirit.

“Fasting helps to chasten our souls, it helps us to feel sorry for our misdeeds, it crucifies the appetite so that we can be more sensitive to the things of the spirit.”

Bishop Ike also assured that when the people put through the essence of Lent, “hearts will be chastened and there will be peace in the country.”