By Kingsley Chimezie Izejiobi
Radio Nigeria Treasure FM Port Harcourt, Rivers State
The annual holy season of lent is here again, Lenten season as is a 40 day period dedicated to prayer, fasting and abstinence, as well as almsgiving.
In this season, the faithful are encouraged to fast from sin, and all other things that give vain pleasure to the body, with a view to making one heavy in the spirit and light in the flesh, not as a routine, but as a process of retuning to God in true repentance.
As part of prayers this period, the faithful are encouraged to give alms to the less privileged, especially now that the economic and political problems facing the world have pushed a lot of families below the poverty lines.
Another very important part of the holy season is prayer, which is basically the lifting up of hearts and mind to God, thanking Him for what he has done, and asking for what we need.
The faithful should therefore use this holy season of lent to pray for divine intervention in various sectors of the national live including security, economy, politics, education, religion etc.
This year’s Lenten season should be used by the faithful to rise up to their responsibilities of bringing joy to the world where there is sadness, peace where there is crisis, hope where there is despair, healing where there is injury, light where there is darkness and reconciliation where there is conflict or disagreement.
The season should be dedicated to prayers for the leaders of the nation, for the grace to do what is right at all times, to take their basic responsibility to the people which is welfare and security of the people seriously and bring to an end the ongoing mindless killings in many parts of the country.
This call for prayers for end to insecurity and killings in Nigeria is not because God has not empowered leaders to end the security across the country, but that through the efficacy of the prayers, leaders will be strengthened to do what they are appointed or elected to do for the people in particular and humanity in general.
Within this season, the faithful should once again demonstrate the power in prayers, back it up with good works, follow it justice for all and ensure that through power in the name of Jesus Christ, the nation will be liberated from the shackles of mindless killers in the land and other social vices
