By Olusegun Olanrewaju
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday said that the current situation of the nation is identical to being in a war, insisting that people should let no one deceive them.
Adeboye stated this during the church’s monthly thanksgiving service, which also commemorates Nigeria’s 62nd independence.
Delivering a sermon entitled, ‘Perfect peace in the land, from 2nd Chronicles 7 vs 13-14, the clergyman noted that in today’s society, kidnappers could go to the palace to kidnap a king, adding that times have gone by when traditional rulers were deified.
Adeboye said, “In the olden days, except you were one of the special people, they didn’t allow the king’s dress to touch you. But thank God.
“Now kidnappers can go to the palace to kidnap the king. We are in a war situation, let no one deceive you.”
He added, “What kings and soldiers can’t do, the Almighty God will do for you.”
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“Pray for the rulers, we have spent so much time criticising them. You should pray for them. I’m praying for them, I pray you will join me to pray,” Adeboye said.
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Meanwhile, Adeboye has lamented the rising cost of inflation and the recent collapse of the national grid for the seventh time.
The general overseer lamented that despite the economic challenge faced by many, Nigeria’s seat of power, Aso Rock, would not feel it because there was always bread and electricity there.
Pray for the rulers, we have spent so much time criticising them. You should pray for them. I’m praying for them, I pray you will join me to pray.
“No matter the amount of bread cost, there will be bread in Aso rock. No matter the collapse, there will be light in Aso rock,” Adeboye added.
He lamented the cost of flight tickets, noting that it has become overwhelmingly expensive to travel.
The Overseer added that he was told that the ticket from Lagos to Abuja had become about N250,000, saying that “It used to be about N60,000. I asked what happened and they told me.”
In the meantime, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, joined Adeboye to call on Nigerians to continuously work and pray for peace in the nation.
They made the call yesterday at the RCCG October Thanksgiving Service and Special Prayer Session for all state governors and deputy governors tagged “Perfect Peace in the Land” held at the church’s corporate headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
A statement by the governor’s chief press secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said Sanwo-Olu, while addressing the large congregation at the service, urged Nigerians, including Lagosians, to continue to pray for leaders in Nigeria, and for peace to reign in the land, with an assurance to believe that greater things are ahead.
The governor, who attended the programme with his wife, Ibijoke, and other dignitaries which include the representatives of governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), said the Greater Lagos agenda of his administration, which had brought about infrastructural development across Lagos State, is on the course, and more of it would be delivered.
He said, “This service taking place a Sunday after the Independence Day anniversary is very important. And I think our GO (Pastor Adeboye) has said it all. We need perfect peace in our country but for us to have that perfect peace; we also need to have peace from individuals. It is we the citizens that make the country. It is not just about a metaphorical country; it is the people on the ground that truly make a country.
“We need to have that perfect peace in how we live our lives mentally, physically, financially, morally, and all of it, and it is only when that happens that it can affect the country. He (Pastor Adeboye) has also encouraged all of us that we need to continually pray for our leaders. People are made up of the kind of leaders they have. So, it is a partnership by ensuring that the citizens play their roles and leaders also play their roles.
“For me, it is another clarion call that it might not be perfect but there is light at the end of the tunnel. And for us in Lagos, we are grateful because this is the most peaceful part of the country. We don’t want to take it for granted and that is why we have come here to thank God, to also appeal and pray to God for that peace to continue to reign.”
