How to Pray for Nigeria, its leadership and the South East region

Being a Christian and an ordinary citizen does not mean you are incapacitated to effect any change

It’s been a while I made any comment on issues that border on governance in Nigeria. Beyond my personal opinions I was restricted within my own bowels to do so. However, I believe the Lord will have me share how we should pray for our nation about the current event of things.  How we should pray for all regions, for all in leadership and about the current occupation of the army in the South East.

It is better to pray than to grumble and complain or trade blames. Christians are the light of the world not the darkness in it. Being a Christian and an ordinary citizen does not mean you are incapacitated to effect any change. One of the ways the process of change is initiated is by praying, and thank God everyone can pray. By that I mean the right kind of prayer.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV

We are admonished to pray for all men, that involves pretty much everybody.  Praying for everyone is acceptable to God. It also, guarantees our peace, safety and within this act lays one of the keys of walking in holiness. So how do we pray for Nigeria on the current happenings?

 GIVING OF THANKS FOR ALL

We ought to offer thanks for being part of this great country, for our diversity, for every region and for the leadership. God has chosen us to be part of Nigeria first by blood and not by opinion (Acts 17:26). We must acknowledge God’s sovereign hand and his finger across our history. We ought to bless Him for the resources richly embedded in our land both human and natural. We must appreciate his wisdom; the mystery of our unity among more than 100 ethnic languages. We have persevered as a state because of the unique balance God has put in place. We must give thanks for all in leadership not because they always do what is right, but for what they’ve done right, and those by divine input shall be done right amidst political manoeuvrings.

MAKING REQUESTS FOR THE LEADERSHIP

We cannot pray for the peace of the nation without highlighting areas of concern. We can then present our requests on these areas of concern. The current happenings in the South East which if not managed properly may lead to great level of instability and loss of lives, boils down to leadership decisions. Where there is no right counsel the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). If the sense of being safe is lost currently in the South East as a result of the Python Dance Operation, there is little or no right counsel available to the leadership at the centre among the vast number of ministers and advisers. We (Christians) as light of Nigeria ought to request from God provision for good counsel and a place for right counsellors in the Nigerian leadership. We ought to do this without wrath, bias or doubting.

PRAYING FOR THE MILITARY

When David became the Chief of Army Staff of Israel under the leadership of Saul the Bible records that he went wherever Saul sent him and he behaved himself wisely and at some point more wisely (1Samuel 18:5, 14 and 30). Although Saul was a tough leader and David couldn’t refuse his orders, high level of intelligence had to be practically applied. Also, because those in the military (under his command) can easily go overboard in discharging their lawful duties by violating human rights and liberties, David had to display wisdom and exhibit discretion in his military tactics, in compliance to the king’s directives and ensuring safety of the citizens of Israel. We ought to pray for high level of intelligence across the cadre of command in the military. We ought to pray for guidance and discretion as they dispense their lawful duty as an institution; as they are one of many expressions of the WILL of the Federal Government. It is a prayer we ought to pray understanding its implied consequences.

SUPPLICATION FOR THE SOUTH EAST REGION

The South East is currently in the throes of secessionist agitation which is the result of the shadows of the 1967 Biafran War cast upon a young generation. The bad blood of the region towards the Nigeria state especially the North has been left to fester too long to the discomfort of all. We cannot ask for peace first if sores have not been properly treated and anointed, healing can then occur and peace would be a natural aftermath. The internal wounds of the region before, during and after the Biafran War make many see an outward sign of rebellion. The mind of God on such issues as revealed in Isaiah 1:5-6, is healing and not more punishment through the show of force. Would you lift up a cry for the healing of heart for our compatriots in the South East? We ought to cry for a leadership that will do justice in that region and lift the yoke of oppression. We ought to pray that the “Come Let’s Reason Together” (dialogue) become a reality, an instrument of peace. We pray in our day we would see that healing.

In conclusion, we are in dire need of varied solutions as a nation but we are more in need of Christians that love this country, who prays and know how to pray. Prayer is that central nerve without which no problem can be decisively solved. When we are physically exhausted we bow ourselves to the ground for a good reason. As a nation we must bow down our knees that we might receive strength to stand, walk, run then fly as the Eagle we are. Peace be unto the walls of Nigeria and all places of her dominion. Amen
Author: Paul AremoOluwa (writer and speaker)