A Bishop of the Niger Delta Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Ralph Ebirien said that politicians are not worth dying for since individual lives are precious and valuable to God, but a continuous prayers for the stability of the polity and peace in the country should be vigorously pursued by all Christians.
Bishop Ebirien came up with this while admonishing Christians to remain focus in their daily activities, saying that the average politician goes about with his International Passport in his pocket with the intention to leave the country at the slightest occurrence of any ugly scene while the ordinary man is abandoned to his fate.
It was a charge to discourage the people from engaging in activities capable of jeopardizing their aspirations in life given at the 2014 rededication service of the Diocese held at the St. John’s Anglican Church, Bishop Johnson Street, Port Harcourt.
The cleric who called on Rivers citizens to rekindle their test and guest for prayers for the nation and Rivers State wondered what would become of 2015 general election if in January 2014 at the twinkle of an eye; someone is already in a London Hospital. He charged all politicians to speak the truth at all times and at every circumstance irrespective of whose ox is gored.
Meanwhile, the church has been admonished to be ready for a greater works in the vineyard of God even to the fulfilment of the great commission of winning more souls in the year 2014 as they rededicate themselves to God for the service year.
The guest preacher at the year’s rededication service and former Deputy Gov. of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel T. G. Toby, JP gave the admonition while speaking on the theme: “Let God Lead The Way” taken from the book of Isaiah 40:31-39.
He noted that, an unweavering faith is needed to propel the individual stance with God positing that the people are in a state of uncertainty in the world, hence needed God mostly.
Christians are also called upon to exhibit such character that would move the Diocese forward, noting that its gain to allow God leads the way as self is carnality and enemity with God.
Rededication according to many worshippers and clerics who spoke with The Newswriter is the yearly handing over of one’s activities to God and receiving of Grace to continue the new Year.
The host Archdeacon of Bonny Archdeaconry and clerical Synod Secretary of the Diocese, Venerable Amavey Christian Abbey-Kalio JP, the time for the year’s rededication service is apt given the circumstances in the country’s polity.
According to him, the church’s duty is to continue in prayers for the nation while the people serve. He enjoined Nigerians as a matter of compulsion to engage in fervent prayers since it is their duty for the nation.
To Rev. Amon Ijong-Ama the rededication service is a boaster of the Christian faith in God where one renews his stance with God. He maintained that it is a revival recipe for Christians especially in the Anglican Communion in the Niger Delta Diocese, saying that in his parish Agwut-Obolo, the year is tagged the year of Divine Visitation.
In his view, Sir Finomo Ekikeek-Awaji Edubio who scored the 2014 rededication service high said it is the handiwork of God and evidence of His presence saying that the crowd was equal to none ever in the Diocese.
While saluting the spiritual leadership of Bishop Ebirien in the Diocese, Edubio noted that the success of the rededication service is symbolic in the success of all activities in the Diocese including the 2014 Diocesan synod to be hosted at Simon Ikuru Town In April.
In his observation, the deputy Diocesan Communicator, Sir Williams Ubulom has appreciated God for the successes recorded in the rededication service, noting that the spiritual implications of the annual event is symbolic to the growth of the church in the region.
To Williams, the hand of God is on the Diocese and urged all Christians irrespective of denominational background to embrace God while calling on those yet to surrender to God to do so without further delay as the coming of Christ is unknown to anyone. ####
