By Ngozi Nwankwo
The first flight of Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land arrived in Nazareth, Israel, to pray for Nigeria, its leaders, and citizens, seeking God’s guidance, wisdom, and restoration.
The prayers focused on the restoration of Nigeria’s glory, guidance and wisdom for leaders, circumcision of leaders’ hearts for sacrifice and service, and grace for leaders to finish strongly.
The group, comprising mainly pilgrims from Lagos state converged on Tabar Hotel in Nasareth for a combined Sunday service.
The service featured a Bible lesson read by Hon. Mrs. Omowunmi Ogunlola, Federal Commissioner representing South West in the Board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC). The lesson, taken from Joel 2:18-27, dwelled on God’s restoration of Israel’s glory.
Bishop Akinpelu Johnson, Chairman of the Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, delivered a sermon titled “Restoration of Nigerian Hope.”
He emphasized the need for collective prayer and cooperation with God to restore Nigeria’s glory.
Johnson expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for facilitating this year’s pilgrimage exercise, despite the challenges posed by the Hamas militant group’s attack on Israel last October.