In the midst of insecurities and reckless killings by the bandits and Boko Haram in the North, the unknown gunmen in the East and kidnappings all over Nigeria, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Rt. Rev Dr. James Odedeji has admonished Christians of all denominations to pray ceaselessly in this perilous times.
The call was made on Tuesday during his opening charge at the annual Triumphant Convocation organized by the Diocese at the Diocesan Field, Oba Akinjobi Road, Ikeja.
Odedeji charged Christians to distance themselves from those who abhor prayers: “Please I urge you not to listen to anybody who tries to discourage you from praying. Prayer is our life. If we fail to pray, we will become vulnerable. Jesus must increase in our lives, we must decrease.”
According to him the idea of the Triumphant Convocation came to him during his hibernation after his consecration nine years ago: “During my meditation, it then crossed my mind that in a diocese as progressive as Diocese of Lagos West, there should be a programme that will connect all members of the diocese spiritually and be a source of blessing”.
Talking on the theme of the convocation, the bishop said, “Our theme for this convocation, We are more than conquerors, is an encouragement to us all to be expectant. You must also not doubt God and don’t look on any man for your blessings.”
In his message, the Dean of the cathedral, the Ven. Ebenezer Adewole, encouraged the participants at the convocation to be people of faith. “The believer is not deterred. He knows that what he sees are temporal. Faith does not bow to threats. A man of faith has no regard for obstacles”, He said.
Adewole said also that to be more than a conqueror is to be for signs and wonders. “Signs are to follow us. We are not to run around looking for signs. By the word, signs and wonders are to follow us. Miracles are to follow us.”
Those who are more than conquerors according to him must also run away from sin because sin is a sinker. ”He added also that the ultimate for anybody who is more than a conqueror is to be born of God, “to be born of God is to follow the Lord. If you are not born of God, you are less than a conqueror. If you are born of God you are more than a conqueror.”
