By CSN Media
In his homily at the Mass during the ongoing 2024 annual retreat for staff of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) and the various agencies of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), the retreat moderator, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu appealed to the participants and other well-meaning Nigerians not to give up on praying for Nigeria despite the seemingly unending challenges.
“Even though it seems as though the more we pray, the more things get worse, we should never give up on praying for Nigeria, because prayers is the only thing that can save Nigeria. Prayer can do alot, persistent prayers can help Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The judiciary cannot safe this country, even elections cannot safe this country as we thought in 2023. All those institutions need prayers themselves to survive. Let us learn from Hannah in today’s reading, who never gave up on praying till God finally answered her prayers. So let us not stop praying for Nigeria.”
The homilist further disclosed that Nigeria as a nation is besieged by multiple demons, like the demon of insecurity, tribalism, religious bigotry, and above all, the demon of diabolic leadership. He added that the country needs more than deliverance, but exorcism; and that Jesus can deliver the nation from all these demons.
Msgr. Aniagwu also exhorted the retreatants to be mindfull of anything within them that is not from God; like anger, pride, hatred, laziness, lust and prejudice, as these constitute demonic influences in human lives.
“Some of us still have demons besieging us as individuals.
Anything within us that is not from God is a demon. Anger, pride, hatred, laziness, lust and prejudice are forms of demons. If we subject these things to the authority of Christ, he will cast them out. Go to the sacraments of confession and be relieved of these demons.”
The Mass which took place at the St Gabriel Chaplaincy at CSN, was the Mass for the day-one of the retreat exercise.
