About 3,000 Anglican faithful gathered in a prayer convention to pray for the restoration of Nigerian socioeconomic growth and development.

The Diocesan Lenten Prayer Convention was the annual prayer convention of the Anglican Diocese of Awka, Anambra State.

Declaring the prayer convention open in Awka on Saturday, the Archbishop of Anglican Archdiocese of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, said that with fervent prayers Nigeria lost glory would be recovered for the citizens to enjoy a robust economy.

Mr Ibezim, who is the convener, urged the faithful never to relent in praying and presenting their needs before the Almighty God because with Him nothing is impossible and urged them to have a positive attitude towards their daily activities.

The archbishop advised the faithful to always pray for their leaders either political, community or religious ones for divine directions and progress instead of dwelling in criticism of government policies.

In his homily titled: “Total Restoration”, the guest preacher, Anglican Bishop of Diocese of Jailogo, Rt. Rev. Bedison Foreman, said that prayer is key to great hope and restoration of lost economic and social glories.

The bishop said that one can define restoration “as a return or regain of that which was misused or destroyed, through unlawful and unpatriotic attitudes or activities that may have robbed society or individual of its wealth.”

He assured the faithful that a positive attitude change towards public and private living would enhance restoration in all facets of life.

Mr Foremen disclosed that there are four levels of restoration, namely: singular, double, seven fold and total restoration.

The bishop said that in all levels of restorations “the secret of true restoration is prayer and true repentance,” adding that the “faithful must be strong in the place of prayer.”

The Priest in-charge of the Church of the Pentecost, Awka, Ven. Prince Oranye, encouraged the faithful to support evangelism to sustain their spiritual base.

President of the Mother’s Union and wife of the Archbishop, Dr Chioma Ibezim, said that women should be more prayerful as the society is negatively changing.

Mrs Ibezim called on mothers to always pray and stand on the gap for the church, their families and society at large because “God answers prayers of women.”

A participant at the prayer convention, Chioma Okeke, said that she looked forward to the yearly prayer convention “as it helps in building her spiritual base and bringing her peace of mind.”

The 2025 Diocesan Lenten prayer convention featured testimonies, praise worship and thanksgiving.

(NAN)