A Heartfelt Prayer for my Country.

As a British-born Nigerian who immigrated to the UK in the 1990’s, it saddens me to see the atrocities and chaos going on in my homeland. It grieves my heart. SUCH A SHAME!

I grew up in Nigeria and lived the first half of my life in the country. I love my country but living in Nigeria was fraught with so many challenges. Like many others, I left in search of greener pastures and settled in the United Kingdom.

I left Nigeria over twenty years ago but the living conditions in the country have hardly improved. The country seems stuck in a time warp. Despite the advancement of technology in many other countries around the world, my beloved country still struggles to provide even the most basic of amenities for its citizens. There is a lack of electricity, healthcare, education, and decent jobs for graduates to name a few.

Nigeria as a country is steeped in culture and tradition. From an early age, children are taught to respect their elders and not challenge their authority. Respect for elders and those in authority is sacrosanct. It seemed as though the average Nigerian was immune to suffering. This changed on the 4th of October 2020 when the youths resolved to use their collective voices to make a difference. The Younger generation want change and the Leaders have failed them.

They are tired of living in a country where corruption has become the norm. A country where there is no justice. A country where they are oppressed. A country where there seems to be no hope. They are fighting back the only way they know how. They have found their voice and are not afraid to use it!

While pondering on this, I can’t help but be reminded of the bible verse in Isaiah 1: 21 -23

“See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her—but now murderers! Your silver has become dross; your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.”

This scripture captures the heart of the Nation right now.

 Let us consider God’s concern regarding this nation. His concern is about justice, or rather, the lack of it. God is a God of justice and justice is profoundly lacking in Nigeria. Even though the above scripture refers to Jerusalem, we can see similar references to Nigeria as a harlot because Nigeria is no longer a place for justice. The silver and wine have been defiled because of unjust rulers.

What is God thinking of when he thinks about justice? He could pick out any number of unjust acts. Here, what He focuses on is the failure to defend the cause of the unprotected, orphans and widows. They were easy marks for the unscrupulous. They also were physically defenceless. Remember, there was no police force. You had to protect yourself from thieves and assailants. If an injustice was committed against you, your only right of recourse was the magistrates or rulers who were the custodians of justice. Sadly, they failed in this regard. Why? Greed.

Isaiah 1;23 says “Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all bribes and chase after gifts”

God despises this. God considers such rulers and judges who do not defend the orphans and widows to be murderers. One may kill without taking life, and many may have actually died because of their livelihood being taken away.

So, what is the answer?

Isaiah 1: 24-28 says it all;

It’s a long time coming, God is moving on the earth right now Haggai 2:6 -7 declares – “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.” 

God is not only shaking Nigeria, but the Nations. It is time for the country of my heritage to be shaken down like an apple tree, so the bad fruits can be trampled underfoot.

What are we to make of this? We must take seriously what God takes seriously — the welfare of those who are vulnerable in society.

“” Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. I will turn my hand against you; That is, against Jerusalem I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterwards, you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. But rebels and sinners will both be broken and those who forsake the Lord will perish.” ( NIV)

In light of God’s Word, Nigeria as a Nation needs to provide and care for the needy , defend their cause and ensure that their voice is heard. We also need to examine how proactive we are in promoting justice. We are our brothers’ keepers. God wants a city, a church of justice; and by that He means one filled with just judges and rulers exercising justice for others.

So, the most important lesson to learn and remember is our God is just. 

Prayer for the Nation.

Almighty God. Remember this nation for good. Why do the heathen rage? Why do the people imagine a vain thing the kings of the earth rise up. The princes have taken counsel against you and against your anointed and we can hear them saying let’s destroy their cause, let’s break their bands.

But He who sits in heavens shall laugh over the nations, you overturn them and you hold them in derision. You smash their plans; you destroy their imaginations. Oh Lord, break their confederacy.(Psalm 1: 1-4  paraphrased). 

We stand as your anointed in this Nation, we bring them down, we overturn, and we bring back the right to rule for the children of God. This nation Nigeria belongs to you from the north, from the south, to the east and the west.

Let righteousness reign.

Lord, we release righteousness, we exalt this nation, let the blood of Jesus be for this nation. We establish the kingdom of God. We call forth new leaders, we overturn the old leaders, we uproot them. Bring them to confusion, destroy their plans and their meetings in Jesus name.

In the name of Jesus, it is well with this Nation, it is well with this city. Thank you for an emerging bride of Christ. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

If you are reading this – that means you have a job to do Pray for Nigeria. See yourself as an ambassador for Christ, to spread his light around the nation of Nigeria. A new Nigeria will be born, this our nation will rise from the ashes.