Bishop Advises Clergy To Stop prophesying doom on Nigeria

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Saturday, July 17th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace, a Pan African Vanguard of Pastors from the 19 Northern states and the FCT, has urged the clergy to stop prophesying doom on Nigeria.

Bishop John Richard, National Chairman and Convener of the group, at a rally on Saturday, in Abuja, said the non-denominational initiative for peace, in collaboration with all ministers of God in Nigeria, gathered to end the 40 days prayer and fasting.

Richard said that in view of the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria, it convened a one million volunteer prayer warriors to pray for 40 days, and ask God for mercy, and intervene to end insecurity and calamities in Nigeria.

“I want to use this opportunity to address our colleagues, the clergy, we know that the situation is so challenging, but I will want to encourage all the religious leaders, weather Christian or Muslim or other religions.

“Let us come together in unity, let us cease from prophesying doom on our country, if you have a prophesy that is suggesting doom, I believe God wants you to do something about it.

“It is not all prophesies you publish on newspaper at a time where the country is almost catching fire; you should not be adding fuel.

“Please, I am appealing to us, let us be more positive in our publications, let us say things that will give hope and succour to Nigerian citizens at times like this.”

The Bishop said that if the clergy continued to prophesy helplessness and hopelessness, many people could even die before their time.

He said if God had shown any man of God a negative thing that would occur, the Almighty wanted them to pray to avert the calamity, adding that not everything should be taken to the public domain.

According to him, if such negative prophesies lead to the collapse of the country, even the prophet of doom will be affected in one way or the other.

He further cautioned the clergy to stop criticising, placing curses and uttering judgmental prayers on leaders, but should rather pray for them to succeed in their mandate.

Richard urged the government, victims, and those who lost their loved ones due to the current insecurity in the country, to remain strong.

“This gathering consist of clergy from CAN, PFN, the 36 states of the federation, who are supported by the Arewa Pastors Non-Denominational Initiative for Peace.