Lenten: Ilorin Catholic Bishop tasks Christians on fasting, alms giving

By Matthew Denis

The Catholic Bishop of Ilorin Diocese,  Most Rev. Dr. Ayo-Maria  Atoyebi has called on Christians to be steadfast in prayer and give alms to the needy during the Lenten period.

The Bishop made the call in his message to Christians on Wednesday as they began forty days fasting.

He said, “The long awaited period is here.  Lent is a period set aside for a closer relationship with God. The Prophet Joel tells us what to do at this period and how it benefits us.

According to him, through prayers, believers  make room for God in their lives and express  desire to enter into a deeper friendship with the Lord.

“Through fasting, which can take various forms, we deny ourselves something in order to share it with others, especially those who are in need, while almsgiving demands of us to share with others what we have received from the Lord in a spirit of solidarity and communion.

He added: “Fasting without prayer is nothing but starvation and without almsgiving simply means banking and saving for another day.

 Atoyebi also called on Nigerians to fervently pray for progress and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians in  a heterogeneous society.

 …urged to be their brother’s keeper

Christians have again been charged to always keep and obey the law of God to live  exemplary life.

A Cleric, Pastor Ademola Popoola gave the charge, on Sunday in his sermon delivered at the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Ilorin District Headquarters.

Speaking on the Topic “wages of sin”, Pastor Popoola called on Christians to be prayerful and desist from sin as the wages of sin is death.

The Cleric noted that sin had separated many faithful from God calling on them to move closer to God by living a holy life.

He implored Christians to always seek for forgiveness and be their brothers keeper especially during the lenten period.

Pastor Popoola charged people to desist from backbiting, carrying untrue rumour and other vices to inherit the kingdom of God.

Also, Reverend Love Adebiyi of ECWA Chapel,  llorin who spoke on the Topic  “Needful preparation new Things”, explained that God specialises in doing something new stating categorically that God wouldo a new thing with the economy, political and every affairs of the nation.

Reverend Adebiyi noted that getting the delivery of new things calls for human readiness and participation, urging Nigerians to turn away from evil to God.

The Cleric called on new leaders at all levels to serve with the fear of God, advising the followers  to take seriously the word of God and prayer for things to turn around for good in the country.

Similarly, Pastor Segun James of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imole, Amoyo urged Christians to run the race of serving God with maturity and shun things that could affect their service negatively for them to inherit His kingdom.

Also, Pastor Isaac Gbemiga Adesina of kingdom Seed Assembly, Sapati Ile Phase 2, llorin stated that Christians are Christ’s representatives who should show good examples to others to emulate.

Pastor Adesina implored them to emulate Jesus Christ in their deeds, speeches, attitudes and reactions to situation.

Pastor Taiye Aransiola of the United Evangelical Miracle Church Off Yidi Road Ilorin in his message “walk in love” called on Christians to shun selfishness, self-centeredness, greed and  pride and show love to others.

Pastor Aremu Abioye of the Ark of God Covenant Faith Bible Ministry, Amoyo while rounding off its seventh convention with the theme “Jesus”   expressed appreciation to God for His mercy calling on Christians to always thank God.

Prophet Femi Emmanuel of the Agbara Olorun lgbani wasibe Worldwide, Gbagede,called on Nigerians to continue to extend  hands of friendship to their neighbours and do away with acts that could hamper the existing peaceful environment.

Pastor ldowu Constain of the New Life Holy Trinity Chapel,  Gaa-Akanbi, ilorin charged Nigerians to continue to pray for those in the corridor of power for divine direction.

Prophet Peter Oladipo of the C & S Movement Church, Ipetu-lgbomina appealed to Christians to shun sin as the second coming of Jesus Christ is at hand.

In his message to usher in the 5th anniversary and convention of the Rehoboth Prayer and Deliverance Ministry, off Ganmo-Agbabiaka road, Akata with the theme “This same Jesus”, Reverend lsaac Abolarin re-emphasised the need for Christians to rely on God for total breakthrough.

Pastor Kayode Omotosho of the C A C Anu sogo lorimi, Kilanko village also stressed the need for  Nigerians to fear God and obey all His commandments to allow peace to continue to  reign in the Country.