File: Some Celestial Church members

The Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Rev. Emmanuel Oshoffa has urged Christians to pray for the country’s leaders to lead the citizens with the fear of God.

Oshoffa spoke at the Holy Mary Service and Prayer For The Nation, held as part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the church in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event, held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos, was `Time to Rebuild and Restore`.

“We should pray for fresh outpouring of Holy Spirit on our leaders so that they can lead us aright.

“We must not trade the unity of our nation; the federal character of our nation must be respected,” he said.

The spiritual leader said as a nation, those who have responsibility to lead the nation should ensure there is true a federation.

“They must establish trust among the leaders and the led; they must work for the unity of our country,” he said.

Oshoffa appealed to all Nigerians, irrespective of religious belief, to pray for the unity, peace and development of the country.

He said that only an environment of peace, tolerance and harmonious living, irrespective of religious and political differences, can lead to meaningful development.

“All hands must be on deck to build again a virile nation, where love and harmony, forgiveness and peace, equity and prosperity will reign supreme.

“Our country’s shoulders will be raised high among the comity of nations. All Nigerians, irrespective of religion, should pray for the resurrection of what our nation has lost,’’ the cleric said.

Oshoffa urged Nigerians to remain patient in the face of the political and religious challenges, insecurity and economic hardship, saying God would make the nation triumph.

He called on members of the church to always be thankful to God, saying that the celebration of 70 years called for thanksgiving for blessings received over the years.

The cleric urged the faithful to love their neighbours, live holy lives and strive to make heaven, which is their goal collectively and individually.

Evangelist Davies Ekunola, during the prayer session, prayed for God to restore and rebuild Nigeria.

He noted that God had plans for Nigeria, but sin distorted His plan for the nation.

“God is a builder; he has good plans for Nigeria, but somewhere along the line, something tampered with the plans.

“Sin came in, the plan was distorted, God being God, in His wisdom, has decided to restore and rebuild the nation,” he said.

(NAN)