Wilson Adekumola
The Christian lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22 and ends on Holy Saturday, April 8. The day as it is believed in Christian calendar, marks the beginning of the 40-day fast usually observed among Catholics, Anglicans, and other protestant churches.
Reacting to this, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Rt Rev Olusola Odedeji has urged Christians to use the period for an intensive prayers and Bible discourse.
He made this known via the Twitter handle of the diocese of Lagos of the Anglican Communion. It pointed out that there will be physical meetings from 6 pm to 7 pm at every parish of the church every day except Sunday.
Odedeji who is also the supervising bishop of the Lagos Diocese will preside over the 40-day event in both the diocese of Lagos and the Diocese of Lagos West of the Church.
It was gathered that each day will be used for prayers and Bible exposition. The sessions will be broadcast on social media handles, radio, and television stations.
The Diocese of Lagos West Media Centre and www.LagoonRadio.ng are major outlets where the lenten talks and prayers will be relayed.
It was said that many other orthodox churches will follow in that direction.
However, most Pentecostals are not part of this 40-day religious rituals. But in the last 20 years or so, it was said many Pentecostal churches in Nigeria have found alternative way to the ‘ritualistic fasting’.
The major Pentecostal denominations in Nigeria come up with different days of fasting ranging from three to 100 days at the beginning of the year. Church Times reports
It was reported that the Redeemed Christian Church of God currently observing a 50-day fast while the Living Faith Church popularly known as Winners Chapel observed a 21-day fast at the beginning of the year. The church also holds periodic fasting throughout the year as it is being led.
Similatly, the Mountain of Fire and Miracles also observes long days of fasting along with several other denominations within the Pentecostal envrons. Such periods of fasting are often dedicated to making requests, praying for forgiveness of sin and supplications before God.