This year’s National Prayer and Thanksgiving by the Christian community, on Sunday focused on the maintenance of peace as the nation prepares for Election 2012.

The event on theme: “Peace, Security, and Stability within Your Borders, Oh Ghana,” ended a week-long prayer and fasting in recognition of “God’s goodness for Ghana, in its 55 years of nationhood.”

The venue for the occasion, the Independence Square, in Accra, vibrated with songs and dance as the clergy and congregants from orthodox, pentecostal, charismatic and independent churches lifted up their voices to the heavens, waving handkerchiefs to acknowledge God’s blessings for Ghana.

In attendance were President John Evans Atta Mills, the Acting Chief Justice Mr Atuguba, Mrs. Joyce Bamford- Addo, the Speaker of Parliament; senior Government officials, Ministers of State, and members of the public.

Preaching the sermon on the sub-title: “Be an Agent of Peace,” Apostle Dr Opoku Onyina, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, stressed the need for Ghanaians to be watchful of word and actions that could mar the peace of the land.

Basing the sermon on I Samuel 25: 23-31, in reference to an incident involving King David, Nabal and Abigail, Apostle Onyina pointed out the essence to be on guard by words and deeds to maintain peace between one and his or her compatriots.

He cautioned Ghanaians against the tendency to avenge, they should rather leave every offence to God for vengeance.

Apostel The cleric pointed out that people should also be reminded of past sacrifices they had made to the progress of human society, to save their anger from exploding.

“Be an agent of peace,” Apostle Onyina stressed, and reminded the congregation that the grace and what the Lord has done for human should be a compelling force to avoid bloodshed.

“If you sin, your conscience will haunt you because sin is very powerful. You don’t need to kill, for the power of the soul will torment you.

“It is always better not to use evil means to attain your ends; you need to be careful,” the Apostle, said, and underlined the need to listen to advice in times of difficulty.

Apostle Dr Onyina said no lesson could be learned permanently apart from the grace of God; that without the “grace of God, we are doomed to reproduce the failures of others and the nation.”

He called on Ghanaians not to think that all was well as the nation enjoyed peace when its neighbours were engaged in civil wars.

Apostel Dr Onyina pleaded for the grace of God to avoid the mistakes of other nations and called on the people to make peace and forgive one another.

President Mills expressed gratefulness to God for the celebration, and called on Ghanaians to meditate on the sermon.

“We want a peaceful Ghana before, during and after the elections, President Mills said, and called on Ghanaians to use their power to exercise peace for God to add his seal of approval.

According to the President, one way of ensuring peaceful elections was to register, and stressed that all should register when the voters register opens.

There were prayers for thanksgiving, confession, election, peace, and justice in the nation, national security and stability, national welfare, development and progress, as well as prayers for the arms of Government, and for national revival and transformation.**