By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Southern Conference of United Methodist Church (UMC) has called on Christians to pray for their leaders.
The Director, Connectional Ministries, Rev. Micah Dopah made the call at the opening of 38th Session of the United Methodist Church UMC, No 1 Zing, Taraba State.
“We should always pray for ourselves, families, State and Nation for the will of God to prevail. We should pray for the government of Taraba State especially Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for him to succeed and finish well.
“We should also pray for President Mohammadu Buhari for change in heart to pay attention to the plight of and needs of Nigegrians, for so many things are not going well under his administration.
“Prayers remains the last thing we can hang on for our survival, let us keep on praying with good and pure motives for things to be well with us.
He urged delegates to remain United, sustained and maintain unity by emphasizing more on Unity than dividing them.
“Since we have one Lord, Spirit and Baptism, let us de – emphasize tribalism and sectionalism.
He call on delegates to make Love of God and neighbor a guiding principle in all their dealings, adding that Love is above all and without Love, no one can make it to heaven.
He urged delegates to seek and work for peace at all times and everywhere they found themselves, adding that peace is a priceless commodity that cannot be downplayed.
“No wonder, Jesus said in Mathew 5:9 that: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God.
“Nothing works without peace, let us be promoters of peace and be peace ambassadors as children of light, for the growth and development of the society.
On Corona Virus popularly known as COVID 19 pandemic, he reminded delegates that the virus is real and very dangerous.
He appeal to them to always follow the safety rules as outlined by the World Health Organization and Nigeria Center for Disease Control.
“It is better to wear facemask than be in oxygen, always maintain both physical, spiritual and social distance with sin and contagious diseases, the church needs you, your families, friends, the state and country all needs you, don’t harm yourself Internationally by not obeying the simple COVID 19 pandemic rules and regulations.- he said.
On food security, he appeal to Delegates not to sell their farm produce for the love of money.
“I for see the danger of food crisis in the near future, considering the hike in price of food items such as, Maize N15,000, Rice N15,000, Beans N20,000, just to mention but few at harvest season.
He used the forum to appeal to Youths to fear God and show more commitment in the things of God so as to preserve the coldly generation, urging them not to leave the way other youths are, without adequate knowledge of God.
“Those in Universities and Colleges should take their studies seriously and also the graduates should do well to be self employed before getting white collar jobs they seek.
“Above all, I urge Youths to live for Christ and for His Glory. – he said.
In his remarks, the Conference Lay leader, urged delegates to do more and the acquisition of the Jolly Nyame Foundation at Appawa and thanked Pastors for their fatherly support and care.
Nasarawa Reporters 