The Oyo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has ordered all churches and Christian ministries to comply with the ‘stay at home’ order and other directives of the government towards stopping the spread of the deadly virus, COVID-19.
This message is contained in a release signed by the chairman of CAN in the state, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, and made available to journalists through his media aide, Adebowale Adeoye, in Ibadan, the state capital.
Pastor Akanmu said, “Every church leader is expected to strictly obey all public health guidelines and instructions issued by the government (whether state or federal) regarding personal hygiene and social distancing to curb the spreading of the deadly virus.
“I don’t see any bad in the directive, we all should see it as a measure to stop the infections from rapidly spreading… I think it’s a good step in a good direction.”
The CAN leader, however, warned all Christian leaders across the world, especially in Nigeria not to forget how treacherous Satan could be and the antics of the satanic agents around the world who might want to use the stay at home order to weaken Christians against going into spiritual battle with the devil on COVID-19.
“I have observed that as we keep putting up efforts to halt the spreading of COVID-19, Satan and his minions are indeed outwitting us as most Christians appear to be clueless about Satan’s schemes, tricks and devices. In utilising his tricks, his intentions at the period is to render us ineffective in our own faith walk as well as stopping us from offering supplications on behalf of our people to God on the matter before us, COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is need to enter into spiritual battle with agent of destruction that is behind the COVID-19 and its rapid spread, the stay at home order should be an excuse for us as Christian leaders to lift up our hands and offer prayers on our people’s behalf for divine intervention and healing.
“Christian leaders should come together in their various local churches regularly to offer prayer and supplication to God. Seek God’s face on behalf of Nigerians and the rest of the world for forgiveness of sins, appeal to God for protection and healing for those already affected by COVID-19. In doing these, we must ensure our number fall within government approved, 30, observe the social distancing, obey personal hygiene by using nose/mouth mask, gloves and have sanitisers and hand wash liquid placed outside the church,” he said.
