IMPERATIVES OF THE 3-DAY PRAYER SUMMIT BY EBONYI STATE GOVERNOR.

By Philip Obasi Nweze

In every generation, God's plan for humanity includes certain people who do the extraordinary. These people impact history and champion impossibilities by using divine solutions to overcome challenges. These remarkable leaders exhibit virtue and courage in crisis because of their trust in God and fortification of their souls with Christian worldviews and thus, are able to make prudent policies that sustain their people in times of crisis. Throughout biblical times and the history of man, men have been used by God to play an important part in God's sovereign eternal plan for his people. Truth is, only God inspired leaders can solve the world's crisis.

Good-natured leaders are as rare as gold, one is enough to change the fortunes of an entire race. Governor David Umahi belongs to the rare breed of God fearing leaders who believe in the efficacy of prayers. At a time when government of states in Nigeria need powers to their elbows to be able to survive the present economic turmoil, Ebonyi state governor made it a point of duty to usher the state into the new year with praises, prayer and fasting, conjointly organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Government House Chapel and the state government. The Governor understands the importance of beginning well.

The prayer exercise attracted the full compliments of the political class comprising members of the executive, legislature and judiciary. Civil and public servants were not left out of the spiritual frenzy as they unleashed their intimidating presence on the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre, venue of the programme, to avail themselves of the prayer experience and spiritual nourishment. The volume of clergymen witnessed in the arena almost  gave the event the garb of a heavenly census for the saints. The outpouring of prayers and anointing sessions upon the state and it's inhabitants left the faces of the attendees glittering like that of Moses after the divine encounter on Mount Sinai.

Lovers of music got more than they bargained for as  "The Lamb" band led by Onyebuchi Oroke lent their voices in an entertaining format with intermittent praise and worship episodes which sent "Their Excellencies" trying out their latest dancing steps. The sonorous voices of the Christ Embassy choir led by the Reverred Pastor Eunice Oyeyemi could mend a broken heart with effortless ease. The event later culminated with a praise night; that unforgettable night when music ruled the airwaves and opened the heavens to release showers of blessings upon the face of the salt of the nation. The dazzling voices on the microphones was another evidence of God's classical handwork upon the human race and launched every Ebonyian within earshot of d pleasing sounds  in a dancing frenzy. At the end of the three day encounter Ebonyians obtained the spiritual fire and grace to sail forward.

God is pleased and honoured when we come to him first before any undertaking. Even the greatest sinners among us occasionally pause to think about the direction of their lives. In fact, only a fool bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where they're going and where they should be.

There are good reasons starting the year with prayer is a good practice. First, by doing so, you set the course for the rest of the year just as beginning your day with prayer sets the course for the rest of the day and covers anything that may happen. You set the course for the entire year by what you do with those gifted first few days of each year. The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up and get our bearings. You can carry that even further to give God the first part of every day, the first day of every week, the first portion of every naira and the first consideration in every decision.

Our species has probably been praying for as long as we have been able to contemplate our existence. The life of every individual in a nation is impacted by the vast majority of people in authority. For us to enjoy the benefits that our state brings we must strive to always pray for the people who have been made to rule us. Leaders carry a degree of responsibility to their followers. They are often the targets of criticism and the go-to people in a crisis.