A cleric, Rev. David Owuola, has called on Christians to use the Lenten season to pray for Nigeria to prosper and flourish as a nation. Owuola of Methodist Church, Tanke, Ilorin made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Monday.

He also urged Christians to use the Lent period to move closer to God and shun all forms of sins that would hinder their prayers. "All humans are sinners, so we all need the saviour; God hates sin but love sinners.

"Therefore, sinners need to denounce sin. Sinners can only turn to God by running away from all forms of sin," he added.

Owuola described sin as going against the laid down rules and regulations of God, which he said could be traced to the early days of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

The cleric quoted the Book of John; 1:8 and Exodus; 20: 3-17 to buttress his point that sin started from the time of Adam and Eve.

"Sin is violating the rules of God, it could be traced to Adam and Eve our fore-father in the garden of Eden, who disobeyed the instruction of God by eating the forbidden fruit, " he said.

He warned that sin could be a hindrance or barrier to prayers and therefore advised every Nigerian to desist from evil acts and follows instructions as stipulated in the Bible.

He opined that on the Day of Judgment, not only would sins be exposed, but the perpetrators will face the dire penalty of eternal damnation. (NAN)