Ten years ago, all Anglicans in Anambra State under the spiritual guidance of the former Archbishop of Province of the Niger, Most Reverend Dr. Christian Ogochukwu Efobi JP gathered on All Souls Day, 2nd November, 2013 at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra State for a solemn assembly to pray. That solemn assembly grew into a Prayer Rally. The inspiration for the prayer rally came from Diocese on the Niger and the Province of the Niger made up of nine dioceses in Anambra State keyed into it.
The first rally was planned by an organizing committee chaired by Ven. (now Right. Reverend) Ndubuisi Obi in collaboration with Society for Equity Justice and Peace, SEJUP. They mobilized the people of God – the laity and the clergy – to the all important gathering. Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, thereby became a kind of pilgrimage centre as people lifted up their voices in praise and intercessions for Anambra and Nigeria. God, in his infinite mercies, visited his people mightily.
The House of Bishops of the Province of the Niger, then, resolved to make the rally an annual gathering slated for first Saturday of every November. It, therefore, became a part of the engagement of every Bishop, clergy and parishioner as they now look forward to the day with God.
Prayers for the nation, her leaders and the society and sharing the word of God are the two most important features of this November gathering hinged on the injunctions in the first book of Timothy chapter 2 versus 1to 2 where it said : “…I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers and intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. For kings and for all in authority….” Through these, many people have been brought to repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. For these ten years, many souls have been won into the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness depopulated. Attendees at the rally have also received breakthroughs, healings, deliverances and diverse favours from God.
It is, therefore, another date with God tomorrow, Saturday, 4th November, 2023 at the tenth edition of Anglican Prayer Rally of Anambra State, APRAS at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka at 10 in the morning. Most Reverend Alexander Chibuzo Ibezim, PhD, the Archbishop of Province of the Niger and Lord Bishop of Awka will preside over the Assembly and he will be assisted by all the Bishops of the Province. The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Amichi, a renowned preacher and crusader, Right Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor, JP will speak on the theme: “I shall eat the Fruit of my Labour” (Ps. 128:2). Right Reverend Prosper Amah, JP, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ogbaru will lead the prayers and intercession.
The Archbishop, Bishops and parishioners from the nine dioceses of Anglican Communion in Anambra State, namely, Diocese on the Niger, Dioceses of Awka, Nnewi, Aguata, Amichi, Ihiala, Ogbaru, Niger West and Mbamili will gather for the 2023 Pilgrimage at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka to seek the face of God and pray down His glory in confidence of the victory the word of God assured us through Christ our Lord.
Mr Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, and other top government functionaries are expected to join in the prayer rally as the people of God raise their voices against the myriad of challenges facing the country and Anambra State.
The Planning Committee led by Right Reverend Ndubuisi Obi (Chairman), Sir Chinedu Ike, Esq (Co-ordinator) and Ven. Solomon Chidoka (Secretary) have concluded all plans to ensure a successful tenth edition of ANGLICAN PRAYER RALLY OF ANAMBRA STATE (APRAS).
Indeed, the shackles of the devil shall be broken, the forces of darkness dispelled and the children God will tap into the Grace of God and declare with their voices, “JESUS IS LORD!”
Written by VEN. JASON ONYEAKAGBUSI
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