Ndukuba opens church of Nigeria prayer school

Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has inaugurated the Church of Nigeria Prayer School (CONPRAS) at the formal opening of the Church of Nigeria Leadership Retreat and Pilot Prayer School programme at Rehoboth Institute of Missiology (RIM) Ngwo, Enugu North Diocese, Enugu State.

Exhorting the participants in his sermon themed: “The Prayer Ministry in Times Like This,” taken from 1 Samuel 17:45–47 and 1 Sam. 10:17, Ndukuba, who spoke via zoom, underscored the importance of God’s Word and prayer, as veritable tools in surmounting challenges and bringing about the desired revival in critical times.

Ndukuba, who noted that Peter, in Acts 6, identified the ministry of the word and prayer as key ministries of the church, emphasised that when the Church deviates from the Word, and is weak in prayer, it has left the place, and cannot break forth until she returns to the place of the word and prayer.

Citing the Philistines in the Bible, Ndukuba said God’s people had enemies who do not only exercise dominance, but are also master planners and intimidators, and have no regard for God. He said given the challenges currently facing the country and various manifestations of the enemy’s works, Christians should rise and call on the name of the Lord with faith for divine intervention and deliverance.

“We are facing ‘Philistines’ of insecurity and more. God shall give us victory. We must have faith and seek God with all our hearts. We should have assurance that He will not fail us of His promises. Cry comes when there is a burden/pain. This is the time to cry. His intervention is more needed now. This is time to arise and cry to God for the deliverance of His people,” he said.

Welcoming participants from different parts of the country in their various languages, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, The Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma encouraged them to continue to pray over the incessant challenges facing the nation.

The Prayer School proper is expected to kick off from January 17 to 22, 2022 at the Rehoboth Institute of Missiology, Ngwo, Enugu. The Church of Nigeria National Prayer Leadership Retreat featured prayer sessions, workshop classes, business meetings, among others. It also had courses such as the Essentials of Spiritual Formations and Disciplines by Bishop Emmanuel Onsachi; the Biblical Foundation of Salvation by Bishop Sosthenes Eze; Personal Management by Ven. Emmanuel Uzuegbunam; Dealing With Your Foundation by Rev. Engr. Chris Omenkoma; Gospel of the Kingdom by Ven. Dr. Ikechukwu Eze (rtd.); Anglicanism: Liturgy and Prayer Formation by Ven. Theophilus O. Usikaro; Introduction to Spiritual Warfare by Bishop Emmanuel Onsachi; Repentance: Key to Healing and Restoration by Ven. Jonathan Adudu; Priesthood and Priesthood of all Believers by Ven. Dr. Ikechukwu Eze (rtd.); Introduction to Global Missions Enterprise by Rev Canon Chimaobi Nnadi and the Sovereignty of God by Ven. Emmanuel Uzuegbunam.

Over 190 people from different Provinces of the Church of Nigeria attended the retreat.
(The Ven. Oluwaseun Owoeye is the Desk Officer of the CoN Prayer Mobilisation Committee and DIVCCON at the Primate’s Office Abuja)