Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost, has defended the church's decision to establish a three-day (all-day) fasting and prayer period to intercede for the country.
He said that as part of the church's and all Christians' duty to pray for their country and its leaders, there was nothing wrong with it.
Therefore, he said that the call for fasting and prayers asking God to solve the nation's present economic problems was on the correct path.
In an interview yesterday, Apostle Kumi-Larbi stated that this was not the first time the church has played that role by counselling governments when needed and by praying for the country.
"It is Biblical and, therefore, there is nothing wrong for one to pray and fast for their nation in a such crisis situation," he said.
The church announced the fasting and prayers for the nation in a circular last Friday. Since then, the announcement has drawn a lot of public attention, particularly on social media.
Some people have criticized the church for making the announcement, while others have praised it because they believe that situations like this require divine intervention.
A three-day (all-day) fasting and prayer period was established by the Executive Council of the Church of Pentecost in order to pray for the country.
According to a circular issued by Apostle Eric Nyamekye, the chairman of the council, the economic difficulties the nation has been experiencing for some time now were a threat to the country's peace and security.
"The church in times like this has a divine responsibility to intercede for the nation, as admonished in Jeremiah 29:7 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2," it said.
The theme passage for the fasting period, which runs from Thursday, November 10, to Sunday, November 13, 2022, is "Ezra 8:23."
Therefore, the statement urged the entire church to pray and plead for the country and the rest of the world, adding that they should also pray for leaders to have the discernment to find quick fixes for the problems facing the country.
"This prayer and fasting sessions may be fused with any existing programme scheduled for the week. All area heads and ministers are to get involved and organise these meetings at any convenient level that will yield the maximum result," it added.
Additionally, it gave all churchgoers the encouragement to carry on believing in God in the hope that He would answer their prayers and bring comfort to the country.
"While I admit that this message is coming to you at such short notice, I hope that you will bear with me as we all join hands in this all-important programme.
"May the Lord pour on the church the spirit of supplication, and the burden to stand in the gap and build a hedge for the nation," it added.