The Archbishop, Province on the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alexander Ibezim has called on Nigerians to keep hope alive amidst current socio-economic hardship plunging many into frustrations and despair.
He urged the citizens to trust God, his love and mercy which he said would be revealed at his appointed time.
The Archbishop spoke during the 2023 Annual Retreat Conference of Awka Diocesan Council of Laity held at Saint John’s Church Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He noted that Israelites were in captivity in Egypt before God came to their rescue, urging members of the church to get closer to God who alone could deliver them from hardship and tribulations of life.
He said, “The message is to encourage them to know that God who delivered the Israelites in slavery after more than four hundred years, remains the same and he will deliver his own.
“The same God who answers prayer. You don’t hasten the plan of God. What we’ll do, when we continue to pray and live a life that glorifies God, heaven hastens his own plan”.
President Diocesan Council of Laity, Dr Emma Ezenwaji, regretted increasing economic hardship in the country, saying the situation could result to breaking of marriages, children dropping out of school and even death.
He appealed to members to wait patiently on God and trust him to turn things around in their favour, just as he commended church growth in the diocese, calling on participants to take home the charges given to them at the event.
“The current economic reality is very disturbing. Too much hardship leading to the breaking of families and dropping out of school by children and the rest of them”
“People are dying like fowls because they don’t have enough money to deal with their health challenges. But, if we trust God, if we have faith in God, we will overcome,” he stressed.
Earlier in his sermon themed, “Do not give up”, the Chaplain, Awka Diocesan Council of Laity, Ven. Samuel Okonkwo reminded Christians that faith, humility and perseverance beget exaltation as demonstrated by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Samaritan woman and blind Bartimaeus in the scripture.
He urged them to remain steadfast in the heavenly race.
Vicar of St. John’s Church Okpuno, Rev. Canon Dr. Onyeka Egwuonwu said the event offered opportunity to study the word of God and strengthen faith, just as he appreciated all who contributed to its success.
