By Olivia Obijiaku
A revival was one of the activities that marked the 2026 Singles’ Week of Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS), Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which took place in the parish in April. Other activities included Talent Hunt; The Singles’ Forum; and the Pageantry that produced Mr. Collins Ekenta and Miss Immaculata Abraham as Mr. NFCS and Miss NFSC, for the current session.
Anchoring the revival with the topic: ‘A Chosen Generation (1 Pet. 2:9), the Diocesan Chaplain of Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), Catholic Diocese of Zaria and Director of St Malachi Academy, Pambegua, Rev. Fr. Patrick Bako Zichyiang explained that revival is not all about singing and praying in loud voices, but also about having quiet moments with the Lord, so as to listen to Him; examine one’s life, among other reasons.
“During such moments,” he detailed, “You need to sit quietly and pour out yourself before God because, in your quiet moment, you will see the truth about your life. You will recall the sins you have committed and how far you have gone astray from God – you will come to realize that you are no longer on track. Your revival begins with your ability to open your ears. Your transformation begins with your ability to open your ears. You must open your ears and listen to Him.”
“Little Samuel was struggling to be an instrument of God. He listened when God spoke to him because he obeyed the instruction of Eli, the priest and his life changed for good. When last did you hear Jesus whispering to you? Every day we pray, speak and talk through prayers and worship. But when last did you just sit down quietly and say ‘speak Lord, your servant is listening? God wants to speak to you. He wants to advise you, but you are always the one doing the talking, through prayer. You complain to God through prayer. But when last did you sit down quietly, and ask, ‘Lord, I want to know what you want me to do’?”
“There is wisdom in listening to God. If Abraham had not listened to God, he would not have been our Father of Faith. If Joseph had not listened to God, he would not have become a governor in Egypt. If the Blessed Virgin Mary had not listened to God, she would not have conceived and bore Jesus. If Elijah had not listened to God, he would not have become an instrument of God. God still whispers. God still communicates. God still speaks. So if you want God to bless you, you will have to listen to Him. If you want God to transform you, you will have to listen to Him.”
Fr. Zichyiang observed that some people have strayed from the flock of the chosen, without even being aware, because of the distractions of life. He reminded them that God has chosen them to be a generation of blessing, hope, revival and restoration.
