Church must pray much more

THE EDITOR, Sir: THE CHURCH has been the subject of national focus in recent days and weeks as a result of the acts and omissions of persons occupying leadership positions. I have no intention of entering the debate. As a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I merely wish to indicate a way forward for the strengthening of the Church, which is Christ’s body on Earth.

The response of civil society shows that it has an accurate view of the Church. This view coincides with Christ’s – that the Church is one, and that whatever damages one segment damages the whole. The mushrooming of an ever-growing multitude of denominations may have deceived some church leaders and members into having a different view. However, neither Christ nor civil society has been deceived by this. The Church has one foundation and one head: Jesus.

Civil society is insisting that the

Church is one and that her leaders and members practise the values of Jesus Christ. Everything is right with this view.

Apart from one or two exceptions, the Church has much to commend itself, and subject only to Jesus’ evaluation, has been a blessing to the nation. In fact, wherever God’s Church has been planted, she has brought blessings to individuals and nations. One of these blessings is offering prayers for the nation. This ought to continue. However, the Church needs to spend more time praying for itself and for its own healing. No one else can do it.

Bishops, pastors and other church officials need to pray for themselves, those they lead, and the universal body.

The laity need to pray for themselves, their families, coworkers and communities, their pastors and other church leaders.

Corporate and individual prayers need to be made for the healing of the victims of abuse by misguided religious people.

No one needs to take a degree in theology to know that a person claiming to be a Christian should pursue a lifestyle different from a non-believer.

DORCAS WHITE