Muslims, Christians Must Justify Reopening Of Worship Centers – Cleric
By Solomon Odeniyi
The General Superintendent of Celestial Church Of Christ in the State of Osun, Venerable Olayiwola Olabode has tasked Muslims and Christians in the state to make the reopening of religious centres count by having prayers to ward off the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the country and state.
Olabode, who doubles as the Shepherd of Osogbo Parish One, described the reopening of worship centres as a” trying period” for the two dominant religions in the state.
He said there was no better time than now to prove the world wrong on the potency of prayers and efficacy of religion in solving knotty issues.
Delivering his sermon during Sunday service, Olabode said: “As Christians and Muslims, we should worship God wholeheartedly during this pandemic period so that God can cleanse the land of this deadly virus. We must use this period to tell the world how effective prayer is, as well as how very crucial religion is to human’s well-being.
“We should pray for the country and go about in a manner our prayers will be answered. We should also remember that other governments still have worship centres closed; our actions should be geared towards making them to see the power in prayers.
“In the two Holy Books, prayers solved many difficult problems than the pandemic we are facing. We should consider the reopening of worship centres as a trying period for us and we must make it count for good.
“If we do not commune with God, they may close it again. We are selected by God and have been given the authority. The worshipers of the two religions must prove that God is supreme. I believe Coronavirus will disappear if we diligently seek God. It’s a sacrifice we must make for the nation. “
Olabode also admonished worshipers to care for the needy as the rash effect of the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic has made many to become vulnerable, noting there’s a reward for such deed in heaven as entrenched in the Holy Books. Every of our deed is recorded.”