The University of Nairobi on Thursday July 23, 2020 from 9.00am held a Virtual Inter-Denominational Annual Prayer Day for the year 2020. This is a day set aside for giving thanks to God and seeking for His continued blessings and protection to the University community.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs welcomed the entire University Community to the Prayer Day. His remarks were summarized in 5 alphabets (Devotion, Edification, Fortitude & Faith, Grace & Gratitude and Humility). He encouraged the University Community to focus on submission and supplication for intervention as a University Community and for everyone to offer themselves to God.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama in his remarks appreciated all who participated in the prayer day. The VC further indicated that 2020 was a year of Jubilee for the University of Nairobi, a year for reflecting on the past 50 years God has seen the University through its Research and Teaching activities. He further stated that this was a time to forgive one another, focus on what you can do better together as the UoN family and be more united for the betterment of everyone.
Mohamed Swaleh, the UoN Muslim Chaplain read from Chapter 94 of the Holy Quran. He emphasized that “..no hardships or difficulty lasts forever, after every hardship, ease will come. Let us devote ourselves to Allah”. The Muslim Chaplain further encouraged the University fraternity to PRAY continually and invoke God of His mercy, HOPE for better things to come and practice CAUTION during this Covid period.
Mr. Dickens Wendo, the College Librarian at the College for Biological and Physical Sciences (CBPS) read the key text for the prayer day sermon which came from the book of 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 20 “…Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ…”. The University is one unit and all stakeholders must work together to achieve its mandate.
Rev. Hosea Mitei, the Protestants Chaplain delivered the Sermon for the day. He emphasized that Paul reminds us that we are one body and every part of the body MUST function properly. Therefore, as a University Community we must have UNITY because we are united together. We are also DIVERSE and DEPEND on each other to fulfil the University’s mandate. Rev. Mitei further urged the University community to look for opportunities to spur and encourage each other during this Covid period, serve each other’s needs and to support and encourage each other.
Intercessory prayers were offered by Pauline Mungai, Director. Christian Student Leadership from Ufungamano, Dr. Grace Kiringa who represented UoN Staff, Chaplain Mohammed Swaleh representing the Muslim Community and Dorothy Syombua who represented the student community.
In concluding the one-hour prayer session, Fr. Peter Kaigua, the Catholic Chaplain at the University reiterated that the University of Nairobi values its relationship with God and that is why each year the University fraternity communes together to give thanks to God and seek for His continued blessings and protection. In God we shall walk the path of our lives as a University towards excellence. On behalf of the Chaplaincy, Fr. Kaigua appreciated all participants who attended the prayer session both physically and virtually. Long live UoN in Unity and Work: Unitate et Labore.
- Log in to post comments
