Christians have been called upon to deepen their spiritual lives by dedicating more time to prayer not only for themselves but also for their priests, who guide and nurture their faith.
This appeal was made by Rev. Fr. Marcel Ajoket, the parish priest of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Parish and Director of Communications SOCCOM, during his homily in the feast day of saints Peter and Paul to the faithful.
Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of St. Peter, Fr. Ajoket reminded the congregation that prayer is a powerful weapon capable of breaking even the strongest chains.
He recounted the story in the Acts of the Apostles, where Christians prayed fervently for Simon Peter after he was imprisoned by King Herod.
Their prayers resulted in Peter’s miraculous escape, saving him from certain death.
“Priests are human beings just like anyone else. They are not sent straight from heaven, they have their own weaknesses and struggles,” Fr. Ajoket emphasized.
He stressed that priests need the support of their congregations through constant prayer, so they can continue serving with strength and dedication.
Beyond praying for priests, Fr. Ajoket urged Christians to develop a habit of putting all their personal challenges and burdens before God in prayer.
He highlighted that many of life’s chains including fears, doubts and struggles can only be broken through sincere and persistent prayer.
“When we entrust our problems to God, we invite His grace and power to transform our lives in ways we cannot imagine,” he noted.
In his message, Fr. Ajoket also encouraged the faithful to regularly reflect on how they are perceived by others in their communities.
Referring to the Gospel reading from the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, he reminded Christians of the moment when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say I am?” and received various responses. This, he said, was an example of self examination and openness to feedback.
“Sometimes, it is important to ask people around us how they see us whether as a source of inspiration, as true followers of Christ or otherwise,” he explained.
“By understanding how we are perceived, we can identify areas in our lives that need change or improvement and become better witnesses of Christ’s love and teachings.”
Fr. Ajoket’s call to prayer and self reflection resonated deeply with many as he highlighted the importance of humility and openness in one’s spiritual journey.
He concluded by encouraging Christians to always seek God’s guidance and to support one another in building stronger, prayerful communities.
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