The Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt Rev. Professor Sam Ike has enjoined Nigerians to seek the face of God over ongoing hardship and other vices in the country.
He gave the advice in Enugu while addressing journalists on Ash Wednesday which heralds the Lenting Season in the Christian Calendar.
In the Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday begins Lent,a 40 Day of prayer, fasting and reflection for Christians.
It is observed with application of ashes on the forehead and it signifies penance and humility.
The Bishop stressed that there is a lot of hardship in the country, noting that the rich, the middle class and the poor are all crying hence the need for Nigerians to use this season of Lent to fast and cry out to God.
He urged Nigerians to embark on fasting over corruption, increasing vices and when we are under judgment.
” In Nigeria we have a lot of hardship today, the rich, the middle class and the poor are all crying. We need to fast, when we are under judgment, when corruption riddles everywhere, when vices of all kinds are everywhere” he stated.
Apart from Nigerians, the Bishop stated that there was need for members of his diocese to embrace fasting and seek the face of God especially now that they are pleading to God for revival.
He stressed that under this period of chastening for sins, corruption, among other vices, there was need for Nigerians to fast and seek the face of God.
Bishop Ike explained that fasting helps to chasten our souls, adding that it crucifies the appetite so that we can be more sensitive to the things of the spirit.
” Fasting helps to chasten our souls , it helps us to feel sorry for own misdeeds, it crucifies the appetite so that you can be more sensitive to the things of the spirit” he stated.
He pointed out that when we put through the essence of Lent, hearts will be chastened and there will be peace in the country.
