The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has on Tuesday, 5th October, 2021, inaugurated the Church of Nigeria Prayer School (CONPRAS) during the formal opening of the Church of Nigeria Leadership Retreat and Pilot Prayer School programme held at Rehoboth Institute of Missiology (RIM) Ngwo, Enugu North Diocese, Enugu State.
In his exhortation to the participants, which he termed “The Prayer Ministry in Times like This” with texts from 1 Samuel 17:45–47 and 1 Sam. 10:17, the Primate, who spoke via zoom, underscored the importance of the Word of God and Prayer as veritable tools in surmounting challenges and bringing about the desired Revival in critical times like ours. Ndukuba noted that Peter, in Acts 6, identifies the ministry of the word and prayer as key ministries of the church, and, therefore, asserted that when the Church deviates from the Word, and is weak in prayer, the church has left the place, and cannot break forth until she returns to the place of the word and prayer. Making reference to the Philistines in the Bible, The Most Rev Ndukuba said the people of God have enemies who do not only exercise dominance, but are also master planners and intimidators, and as well, have no regard for God. He said that given the challenges facing us now and the various manifestations of the works of the enemy, Christians should rise to call on the name of the Lord with faith for Divine intervention and deliverance. He said: “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.”
The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, The Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma welcomed the participants from different parts of the nation in their various languages and spurred them to continue to pray over the incessant challenges of the Nation.
The Church of Nigeria National Prayer Leadership Retreat featured Prayer Sessions, Workshop Classes, Business Meetings and Introductory Lectures on the Courses for the Prayer School proper which has been scheduled to kick off from January 17-22, 2022 at the Rehoboth Institute of Missiology, Ngwo, Enugu. The courses include: 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, The 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 the 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.
193 people from different Provinces of the Church of Nigeria participated in the Leadership Retreat and Pilot Prayer School, which held from 5th to 9th October, 2021.
By The Ven. Oluwaseun Owoeye