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Rev. Fr. Christian Oji, Parish Priest of the Holy Family Parish in Ologo, Enugu State, has urged Nigerians to use Ash Wednesday 2023 to pray for peaceful elections in the country.
On Wednesday in Enugu, Oji gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to use the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, to pray for peaceful elections in Nigeria and a place for God in their hearts.
According to him, this is a time for Nigerians to be concerned about what is happening in the country, to reconcile with one another, to seek peace, honesty, and to assist the less fortunate among them.
"This is a time when Nigerians should help the country achieve greatness and purposes,” Oji said.
The cleric described Ash Wednesday as a time Christians all over the world identify themselves with the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
He said the period was solemn whereby all Christians fast and do other things that elevate their faith in Christ by abstinence and almsgiving.
“It is a period of reconciliation with one another and God as well as engage in fast.
“Ash defines that we are nothing but came from dust and to dust we shall return, it makes us to understand the nothingness of man and that he cannot exist without the presence of Christ in him,” he said.
He explained that it was a time for Christians to reflect on their lives what Christ did for mankind which helped them in their spiritual journey.
“It is a period we seek peace and identify with the cross and a special season for Christians,” he said.
Oji said the Lenten period was for 40 days of Easter preparation, describing the 40 days as a period of retreat.