By Jude Zoho
Nigerians on pilgrimage to Israel on Tuesday offered special prayers for peace in the country and the transformation of the country’s leadership and entire citizenry.
The pilgrims offered the prayers when they visited the chapel on the Mount of Beatitudes, near the Sea of Galilee.
Led by some clergymen, the pilgrims prayed specifically for the country to overcome its challenges of insecurity, for the political class to work more for the benefit of the masses and for God’s intervention in general.
The pilgrims also held sessions of praise worship while on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
One of the pilgrims, Mr Benjamin Audu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that offering prayers for the country was one of the patriotic duties of every responsible citizen.
He said that they were obliged to organise the special prayer session in the interest of peace and progress of the country.
Audu said that he and his colleagues were fulfilled that they included the interest of all Nigerians in their prayers.
He said that investing in pilgrimage was rewarding, and called on other Nigerians who could afford the cost of the trip not to depend on government at all times to fulfil their spiritual obligations.
NAN reports that other holy sites visited by the pilgrims on Tuesday, included the Church of the Primacy and the Church of the Fishes and Loaves, all in Tabgha, and the Sea of Galilee.
The pilgrims also visited the ancient synagogue and the new Church built on Peter’s house, in Jesus’ town of Capernaum near the main town of Tiberias.
They also visited the site of the memorial baptism site of Jesus Christ on River Jordan in Tiberias.
