Sunyani, Jan. 1, GNA - Christians in Sunyani turned out in their numbers in church to usher in the New Year with prayers, singing and thanksgiving.

Some of the churches were filled to capacity, thus compelling a number of people to stand outside.

At the Wesley Methodist Cathedral, the Very Reverend Oswald S. K. Boakye, Superintendent Minister In-Charge, admonished parents to take good care of their children since they were precious gifts from God. He said it was the responsibility of parents to support their children to grow up to become responsible people in society.

Rev. Boakye also advised children to be obedient to their parents. At the Sunyani branch of Word Miracle Church International, Reverend Patrick Adutwum, Head Pastor, said 2010 would signify divine acceleration for Christians who would walk in the will of God.

Drawing an analogy from a pregnant woman who gave birth after the nine month period, Rev Adutwum said 2009 represented an end to the afflictions and sufferings of most people and 2010 would see a lot of people especially, Christians "giving birth to new businesses, ideas and innovations that will usher them into prosperity".

He urged Christians to make the dream of divine acceleration possible by attaching seriousness to their prayer lives, fasting and the reading of the word of God, which would help them to gain divine favour. In a sermon at St. Anselms Anglican Cathedral, Rt. Rev. Dr. Festus Yeboah-Asuamah, Anglican Bishop of Sunyani, encouraged people to have a God-given vision by waiting on the Lord until He reveal his plans for their lives..

He said through vision mankind could get direction, motivation, creativity and resilience.

Rt. Rev. Yeboah-Asuamah noted that in pursuance of a vision one would face obstacles but there was "a place of possibilities hidden beneath piles of problems".

He said it called for patience and discipline for one to be dedicated to a vision.