Expunge Political Sentiments In Your Messages – Gov Emmanuel Advises Clerics

By Usiere Akpan 

UYO

Gov Udom Emmanuel has advised clerics to expunge political sentiments in messages of homilies to the Christian community in the state.

The governor gave the advice during a worship service which took place at the God’s House of Refuge, 8 Ikot Ebido Street, Uyo, Sunday.

Emmanuel stated that the expectations of his administration was to  pray for a peaceful transition and enthronement of  leadership  for sustained blessings in the state, regretting that it has become common for clerics to abandon the teaching of good tidings to people but indulge in  using the pulpits to predict about  2023.

He said that his administration acknowledges sincere support and prayers for state government, reminding that the critical moment calls for more of the prayers with the transition season drawing in closer. 

The governor stressed that it was God’s command for the church to support the government as an institution of God and to uphold people in authority by prayering, explaining that the prayers of the Christian community    account for successes of his administration in different aspects. 

Emmanuel emphasised that his administration would continue to render selfless service despite the prevailing tension to identify and anoint a successor, hinting that anxiety in times of transition of government has always been and is expected while expressing confidence that God would chose a successor according to divine purpose above man’s spelt out credentials.

The state chief executive officer said, “This is a critical year. We need more prayers. Prayers for peaceful transition; prayers for God to open the eyes of people to know that who God want may not be who man wants,” adding, “When it is time to handover, there’ll always be noise and some kind of commotion, but that cann’t change the will of God especially for this state. So, I pray that God’ll help us and we also need a lot of prayers from the church.”

The  senior pastor of  God’s House of Refuge, Ezekiel Atang, in a sermon  on the theme,  Making the Best of 2022 advised the Christian community to “go for the blessings” in the year with honour to God in daily activities.

Atang, who preached from Genesis 14:18 -23, explained that the blessings of God outweigh all material riches but conveys peace, favour and general wellness, enjoining people to exhibit obedience to God, honour to parents, bless the poor and the priests to attract blessings.