The Anglican Bishop of Etsako Province in Edo State, Right Rev Bishop Jacob O B Bada, on Sunday stressed the need for more prayers, specifically tasking women, especially wives of the clergy, to pray for their husbands.

He explained that if there are praying wives, there is a God that answers prayers.

Bada spoke as a guest preacher at St. Jude’s Anglican Church, Adazi Ani, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on the occasion of the 3rd Session of the 11th Synod of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Province on the Niger, Diocese of Awka.

He blamed failures on the expectations from men of God, the laity particularly in the Anglican Communion and wives of the clergy.

Speaking on the theme “The victory that has overcome the world even our faith”, the Bishop urged clergy wives to be steadfast in prayers even as he encouraged Christians to make God relevant in their lives at all material circumstances and shun being yoked together with unbelievers in order to experience the uncommon testimony of God’s grace.

He regretted that laziness has crept into the Anglican Church members’ prayer lives, adding that it has subsequently deprived many from exercising their faith.

The Anglican Bishop said: “There is need to renew your prayer lives, even add fasting to it for the family’s liberation.”

While describing Ndigbo as the Hebrews of Nigeria in Africa, Bishop Bada said: “Igbos love God and have served God with all their might including their wealth and therefore would be rewarded by God adequately, but their actions should not fail God’s expectations no matter the precarious situation.

“The yoke of bondage would be broken in the lives of the congregation after the Synod. Families fighting over mundane things and earthly property should show love and tolerance.”

On his part, the Bishop of Awka, Anglican Communion, Right Reverend Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim, said that though money is important in evangelism, God is more interested in a Christian’s spiritual life first before their wealth or talents.

In his remarks, the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, enjoined various religious organisations in the state to preach love and tolerance at all times irrespective of denominational differences, saying: “We worship same God through Jesus Christ.”

He called for unity of purpose in the state even as he appealed to the citizenry to avail themselves of the opportunity of the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme to reduce hostage of patients in various hospitals after discharge because of inability to pay hospital bill.

The synod was attended by 27 Bishops including Archbishop on the Niger, and Bishop of Nnewi, Right Reverend Godwin Okpala, former Dean, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, and traditional rulers.

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