Let�s Forgive One Another

Christians throughout the country marked the annual observance of Christmas with church services and conventions, during which they expressed gratitude to God and prayed for the peace and stability of the nation in the coming year. Carols nights, crusades and vigils were also held to usher in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. And the common message in most churches was the need for peace, love and goodwill among men, as well as the call for forgiveness and compassion. At the Grace Baptist Church, Sakumono in Accra, the Head Pastor, Rev. J.N.N. Ocquaye, called on Ghanaians to pray for leaders who had the fear of God to lead the country. He said just as Jesus came to promote peace, justice and goodwill among them, it behoved leaders to ensure equity, fair play and justice in all spheres of our national life. Rev. Ocquaye also urged Ghanaians to forgive anyone who had wronged them in the course of the year. �If God, out of love, gave us His only begotten Son to wipe away our sins and reconcile man onto Himself, why must we allow the wrongs of others to block our blessings?� he asked. The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, advised Ghanaians not to lose hope in the midst of current global economic difficulties. Rather, he said, they should have faith in the Lord that He would strengthen them to overcome the current difficulties.