Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, has called on Ghanaians to prioritise prayer as the nation approaches its next elections, as God can interrupt, intervene and intercept any foreseen bad event.
He said this at the 2024 All Ministers and Church Leaders Prayer Conference held under theme: “Let Peace Prevail (Matthew 5:9)” at the Perez Chapel International Auditorium at Dzorwulu in Accra.
Speaking on the theme “The Relevance of Prayer”, Apostle Nyamekye highlighted the critical role of prayer in influencing outcomes and inviting divine intervention.
“It is better for us to pray into the elections than to have the elections done and regret not praying,” he cautioned, adding, “Prayer is bringing God into the equation.”
Drawing on the request made by Jesus’ disciples in the Gospels, “Lord, teach us to pray,” Apostle Nyamekye highlighted the centrality of prayer in the Christian faith.
He defined prayer as the communication between a worshipper and their deity, stressing that its significance goes beyond mere dialogue.
“The importance of communication is not just to facilitate understanding but to build relationships,” he noted, adding: “Prayer is not just talking to God; it’s about building a relationship with Him.”
Citing Psalm 103:7, he explained that Moses knew God’s ways because he spent time with Him.
Similarly, Apostle Nyamekye urged Christians to invest time in prayer to understand God’s plans and influence His judgments.
Referring to 1 Corinthians 4:17 and 2 Timothy 3:10, he stated, “In prayer, we have the opportunity to know God’s ways, discuss His plans, and even influence His decisions.”
He observed that prayer is often misunderstood, with some perceiving it as unnecessary since God already knows human needs.
Quoting Origen, the early Christian theologian, he remarked, “If everything happens in accordance with the will of God and His decrees stand fast, then prayer may seem absurd.”
However, Apostle Nyamekye clarified that while God’s nature remains unchanging, He can choose to alter His plans through prayer.
“God interrupts, intervenes, and intercepts,” he affirmed, referencing Daniel 4:26 to highlight God’s interest in daily human activities.
Despite its power, prayer is often neglected because of the effort it demands. “Prayer is hard work,” he said, adding, “Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying.”
He concluded by stressing that the Christian response to threats and challenges must always be prayer. “We cannot afford to neglect prayer, especially in crucial times like these,” he urged.
Speakers for the conference include Right Reverend Dr. Hilliard D. Dogbe (Chairman, Christian Council of Ghana); Most Reverend Kwasi Gyamfi (President, Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference); and Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams (President, CCG).
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