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The Archbishop of the Province of Niger and Bishop of Awka, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, has enjoined Christians to strive for peace in all situations, saying they should know that they are not immune from crisis and that amid crisis there is always peace.
Ibezim, who spoke at the Thanksgiving Service of the third Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja held at the All Saints Church, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja with the theme: “The Bond Of Peace: The Inner Structure Of The Life Of The Church,” described bond of peace as a connecting value that individuals have towards each other, which peace and fellowship with God are needed to maintain it.
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The cleric said that Christian peace is always associated with Jesus Christ who, Himself, is the peace that broke down the dividing walls of hostility such as tribes, parties, race, language, culture, temperament and all forms of differences. He warned Christians who look for peace outside Christ to beware of their search.
The Bishop, who traced the genesis of Christian peace to Christ justification by blood, maintained that peace is a mandate to be lived out.
Calling on the faithful to make effort to maintain peace, Ibezim said: “An hour prayer of the righteous is more effective than a 40-day prayer and fasting of a sinner. If the Church must fulfil its purpose, peace must be at the centre, and Jesus is the peace.”
