Staff and students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye gathered recently to offer fervent prayers for the rapid progress of the University. At the event tagged “One-Hour Prayer Conference,” members of the University Community were equally admonished on the primacy of corporate prayer.
The prayer conference, following approval by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, was organised by the University Chapel of Abundant Life on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at the OGD Auditorium, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye.
The event which, commenced with a praise and worship session, was anchored by the University Chaplain, Prof. Very Reverend Tola Oduyale, who highlighted the crucial reasons for prayers not only in the life of a tertiary educational institution but also any corporate entity.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, as ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Charles Adekoya, read passages from the Bible, specifically from II Chronicles 7:14 -15. He acknowledged the imperative of praying and seeking the grace of God. He equally thanked the University Chapel for coming up with the prayer initiative, which, according to him, was desirable and worthwhile.
Delivering his sermon, the Guest Minister and Pastor-in-charge of Ogun Province 12 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Abeokuta, Pastor Olusesan Olayinka, noted that gathering for prayer enables people to receive strength and blessing. He declared that with the prayer conference, a brand-new chapter will be opened in the University.
Speaking on the topic, “A Glorious New Chapter,” the Cleric, who quoted copiously from Ephesians 6:10 -13, admonished the congregation to be alert and conscious of the happenings in the world. He stated that everyone needs prayers and must depend on God to survive the challenges of the present time. According to him, prayer should be the oxygen to breathe.
Pastor Olayinka said, “There is a battle to fight. If anybody does not believe in the existence of the devil, or that there is no battle to fight, I want to assure you that that man or woman should not be in this earthly realm. It means that he or she does not understand what is happening and the person may not be able to survive this our present time.”
“So, while we pray, we must carry that consciousness that this life is a mystery and very complex and everything about this life is very spiritual. There are several questions about life that we can’t get answers to now until we see Jesus resurface.
Who could have imagined that the entire world would be locked down without any resistance? Almost everything has failed! That should tell us something that there is nothing left for anybody than God the Almighty Himself.”
The Guest Minister observed that the global outbreak of coronavirus pandemic had necessitated why people must stick to prayers He added: “We had many people that disappeared with COVID-19, which nobody thought about two years ago.”
“We are in a very challenging time, nobody can despise the place of God and survive this realm. Nothing is left for us as human beings than God. Nothing is left, nothing is working, except God the Almighty,” he submitted.”
Joined by members of the congregation who raised their hands in prayer, the visiting clergyman prayed God to banish calamity, premature death and affliction from the University. He also prayed for those in various leadership positions in the University, asking God to fill them with divine wisdom to discharge their duties.
In his remarks, the University Chaplain, Prof. Very Revd. Tola Oduyale, said the prayer conference was organized for the benefits of securing God’s attention and assured successes in the University services. He expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for approving the request of the University Chaplaincy to hold the prayer conference during working hours.
