Archbishop Okeke: Faith and Prayer Remain Vital in Today’s World
His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke
By Polycarp Ifeanyi
The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of the Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has emphasized the importance of faith and prayer in human existence.
He stressed that faith and prayer are paramount on earth, especially for Christians, whose lives are a journey of faith.
Archbishop Okeke made this assertion in his Easter message titled “Faith and Prayers: We Move,” which was made available to journalists.
The prelate defined faith as humanity’s response to God, who reveals Himself and gives Himself to man, while at the same time bringing man a supernatural light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life.
Citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC No. 26), he added that the Letter to the Hebrews defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things which, for the moment, remain unseen” (Heb. 11:1).
According to him, in today’s world—especially in Nigeria, where many things fall short of expectations—faith is necessary to move forward without stumbling. In the face of unfulfilled promises, insecurity, lawlessness, unemployment, disregard for due process, and many other challenges, one needs faith to draw near to God, believing that He exists and rewards those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6).
He reiterated that faith enables one to move on in life without losing hope, becoming distracted, or losing focus.
“One needs faith to believe and to sing with the psalmist: ‘Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He wills’ (Ps. 115:3),” he said.
“We need the faith with which Jesus commanded the wind, and there was a great calm on the sea (Matt. 8:26); the faith that healed the leper who approached Him, saying, ‘If you will… I will be clean’ (Matt. 8:3); the faith that healed the servant of the centurion (Matt. 8:10ff); the faith that restored sight to blind Bartimaeus with the words, ‘Go; your faith has made you well’ (Mark 10:52); and the faith that healed the woman who had been sick for twelve years: ‘Have no fear… your faith has saved you’ (Matt. 9:22). We know that faith is a condition for miracles, and it is nourished by prayer,” he added.
He encouraged the faithful, saying: “As we walk by faith, according to the Apostle Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 5:6), we must heed the admonition of St. James that faith without good works is dead (James 2:17).”
“Faith beckons us to carry out our duties with dedication, truthfulness, and integrity. When we perform our duties in faith and support them with prayer, God will lift us beyond human limitations. Jesus Christ assures us that if we have faith, we can move mountains (cf. Matt. 17:21). Faith reveals itself in good works,” Archbishop Okeke declared.
“In Nigeria today, we need to walk by faith, nourished by prayer and good works. Therefore, I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to move in faith and prayer and never lose hope,” he added.
