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Tag: Prayer

  • FEMI ARIBISALA: The battle is the Lord’s

    FEMI ARIBISALA: The battle is the Lord’s

    Femi Aribisala

    Pull Quote: I decided to confront the Director-General with the news that my God would remove him from office through a television announcement.

    In 1986, I was appointed Special Adviser to Nigeria’s Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi. When I was offered the job, my boss at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Gabriel Olusanya, advised me to reject the offer. When I decided nevertheless to accept it, he gave me a bad security clearance. He said I was too close to my West Indian wife and would not be able to keep national secrets away from her. As a result, my appointment could not be confirmed.

    Paradoxically, Professor Olusanya’s wife was also a West Indian. Moreover, the wife of Professor Akinyemi, the Foreign Minister I would be working with, was also not a Nigerian. She was British. It took the intervention of President Babangida to break the logjam. In his no-nonsense manner, the president gave the State Security Service an ultimatum to give me a security clearance within 48 hours.

    Warfare

    I was at the Ministry of External Affairs for a little less than two years. Then I took a decision that some insist was unwise: I decided to go back to the Institute. On return there, I faced a lot of petty persecutions from the Director-General, who now saw me as an adversary.

    This was worsened by a curious development. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi invited Crispin Ogunseye and me to lunch. He then informed me that President Babangida had decided to make me the new Director-General of the Institute, as a replacement for Professor Olusanya. Even though I told no one at the Institute about this while still considering the offer, one of the staff, a gentleman called Saleh, somehow got wind of it and broadcast the matter to everyone.

    After much rumination, I decided to decline the appointment. The crisis in my life at the time was not amenable to a highfalutin secular appointment. What I needed was Christ. When President Babangida “stepped aside” and Sani Abacha seized power as Head-of-State, the appointment of Director-General of the NIIA was then offered to a then junior colleague of mine at the Institute: Dr. George Obiozor.

    I thought this would give me the respite I needed only to discover that George Obiozor too was not comfortable with me being in the Institute with him as Director-General. He made a foolish attempt to orchestrate my dismissal by accusing me of “gross incompetence” before the Appointments and Promotions Committee of the Institute. When that failed, he wrote me a letter stating that, as a result of some bogus reorganisation process, I had been prematurely retired at the tender age of forty-two.

    Defended

    I took the matter to God in prayer and presented the letter to him. I told him the Director-General could only have had the audacity to take such action out of confidence that, with President Babangida now out of power, I have no friends in the new Abacha administration. But I did not need to know any man. All I needed was to know God. Therefore, I asked God to answer the letter, so that my enemies in the Institute would know that I know God.

    The Lord answered me with a scripture which I now regard as a covenant. Whenever you see it in the bible, don’t read it, because it now belongs exclusively to me. It says: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).

    Guess what happened? The very next day Lateef Aminu, a colleague of mine, told me he had reported my case to someone in the presidency. He put me on the phone to an official in Aso Rock who asked me to come to Abuja the next day. Suddenly, I discovered that knowing God was enough to get me invited to the office of the Head of State. So, I bought a ticket and flew from Lagos to Abuja.

    When I arrived there, I saw the aide-de-camp of one high-ranking naval officer who then took me to see his boss. After I gave him the details of my premature retirement, he said to me: “This is what we are going to do. By tomorrow, a circular will be sent from the Chief of General Staff to your Director-General, asking him to write you officially within twenty-four hours withdrawing your letter of retirement and reinstating you to your former position. Thereafter, we shall decide what to do with your boss.”

    Let me make a confession here. I was not humble in victory. I went back to the Institute and reported the incident to everyone who would listen. “You people need to know you don’t mess around with a child of God,” I boasted foolishly.

    The letter from the Presidency came as promised and the Director-General wrote me immediately reinstating me. But I was not satisfied. I reminded the Lord that the naval officer who spoke on his behalf said: “Thereafter, we shall decide what to do with your boss.” I wanted to know exactly what would happen to the Director-General. Then the Lord told me he would be unceremoniously dismissed from office on Tuesday through an announcement on the nine o’clock news of the Nigerian Television Authority.

    Humbled

    I became foolishly bullish again. I told everyone at work that the Director-General would be removed the next Tuesday. “This advance notice is not coming through Aso Rock (the Presidency),” I declared. “It is coming directly from the Lord God Almighty.” Then I decided to go a step further and confront the Director-General in person with the news that my God would remove him from office through a television announcement on Tuesday night.

    My colleagues tried to dissuade me from doing this, but I refused to listen. Then some people I held in great respect came to see me. One of them was Yetunde Ogunseye, formerly Managing-Director, Associated Discount House, Lagos. She advised me that under no circumstances should I confront the Director-General with the prophecy since the Lord did not tell me to do so. Therefore, I decided to say nothing but to wait for the Tuesday night announcement.

    That Tuesday night, I watched the news from beginning to end. There was no announcement whatsoever about the Director-General. The next morning, a colleague of mine, Margaret Vogt, came to see me at home before going to the office. She said: “I have just come to pray with you.” I understood her. Something had gone disastrously wrong. I had gone out on a limb with a prophecy and been put to shame. I swallowed my pride and spoke no more about it.

    Vindicated

    Some three years later, Yetunde Ogunseye came to see me. I was no longer working at the Institute but was now a full-time preacher of the gospel. “Did you watch the nine o’clock network news on Tuesday night?” she asked. I did not and wondered why she asked. Then she said: “George Obiozor, the Director-General of your former office, was dismissed through a television announcement.”

    “Has (God) said, and shall he not do it? Or has he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

     

     

  • Gowon’s invitation to lead prayer for Otti’s inauguration condemned

    Gowon’s invitation to lead prayer for Otti’s inauguration condemned

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon Promise Uzoma Okoro has condemned the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr. Alex Ottion on his decision of inviting a former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon for an inaugural prayer ahead of his swearing-in.

    Okoro, in a statement made available on Thursday, said the handlers of the Abia State Governor-elect, Otti, must consider the feelings of Abians and Ndigbo to avoid the negative backlash it would bring to them.

    The prayer, tagged: “When the Righteous Are In Authority” is being organized by a non-governmental organization, Nigeria Prays.

    The rally by Nigeria Prays, a pet project of former Head of State, Gen Dr. Yakubu Gowon, will be at the Master’s Vessel Church, Umuahia, on Sunday, April 23, 2023, according to a release by the Abia State Coordinator of Nigeria Prays, Apostle Chuks Alozie.

    Drawing his reference to the rally from the biblical passage of Proverbs 29 vs 2, Alozie revealed that the former Head of State and the Governor-elect of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti are special guests expected to deliver talks at the prayer rally, even as Alozie disclosed that the Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, (MOUAU), Prof Madu Ofo Iwe will be the guest speaker at the event.

    However, Okoro, who condemned the invitation of Gowon, described it as “insensitive to the feelings of the people,” adding that the action of the organisers would hurt deep the feelings of the people.

    He wondered if “there is no man of God in the entire Abia State and Igbo land, which should necessitate the invitation of Gowon, a man who is yet to rights the wrongs of the civil war.”

    Okoro urged Otti’s handlers not to start with what he called “fundamental errors.”

  • Gov. Mohammed calls for special prayers over insecurity

    Gov. Mohammed calls for special prayers over insecurity

    Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state has called on citizens of the state to offer special prayers in the face of the current security challenges in Nigeria.

    Mohammed made the call in his goodwill message on the occasion of the 2022 Eid-el-Maulud (the birth of prophet Muhammad PBH) celebration on Saturday.

    He urged the people to use the Eid-el-Maulud for sober reflection and self-evaluation to know how well they had related with their creator and fellow human beings during the last one year and make  amends where necessary.

    The governor also called on the people of the state to continue to live in peace and harmony with one another in spite of their ethnic, religious and political differences.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the maintenance of law and order, adding that the government, in collaboration with the security agencies, had taken all measures to ensure the  safety of lives and property of the people in the state.

    “We should all offer special prayers for peace in our state in particular and the  nation in general in the face of the current security challenges in different parts of the country.

    “I would therefore like to appeal for your continued support and cooperation in  order to sustain and improve on the existing peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    “Government would not condone any act that is capable of causing rancour and disorder. Any person or group of persons found to be involved in such acts  under any guise will be dealt with according to the law,” he said.

    Mohammed further appealed for people’s continued support and cooperation, to sustain and improve on the existing peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    Newsmen reports that Eid-el-Maulud is an Islamic celebration held annually and globally to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBH).

  • Prayer for Nigeria at 62 – By Femi Aribisala

    Prayer for Nigeria at 62 – By Femi Aribisala

    Arugbo ojo. (Ancient of Days). Alewilese (He who speaks and acts). Alese lewi (He who acts and speaks). Awimayehun (He who cannot be contradicted). Adanimagbagbe (The Creator who never forgets His creation). Oyigiyigi (Great and Mighty God). Alagbada Ina (The God covered with fire).

    Afunni ma s’iregun (The God who blesses without asking for a reward). Alagbawi eda (defender of mankind). Olowogbogboro (The one whose hand can reach everywhere). Ajasegun (The Conqueror). Oba t’ao ri, sugbon t’a ri ise owo re (The God who is unseen, but whose works are evident).

    Atererekariaye (The God who covers the whole earth). Onise iyanu (Miracle worker). Atofarati (Our defense). Atorise (The God who can do it). Awamaridi (Unsearchable God). Ologojulo (The most glorious). Emi ni t’inje Emi ni (The I AM THAT I AM).

    We confess Lord, that our sins are deeper than scarlet, but You can make them white as snow. Even though they are red like crimson, we plead that You make them as wool.

    Our words and our deeds are against the Lord, defying His glorious presence. The look on our faces testifies against us. We parade our sins like Sodom; we do not even hide them.

    We are in trouble and distress. We have brought disaster upon ourselves. Our leaders and governors lead us astray; they turn us from the path of life. We have ruined the vineyard of the Lord. The plunder from the poor is in our houses.

    O Lord, our God, wash away the filth of our people. Cleanse the bloodstains.

    We have raped innocent women. We have bombed the blameless. We have kidnaped the defenseless. We have oppressed the poor. We have ignored the fatherless. We have not fed the hungry.

    We have not cared for the Lazarus at our gate. We have robbed the traveler. We have looted our treasuries. We have despised our birthright.

    We have only yielded bad grapes in the Lord’s vineyard. We have drawn sin along with cords of deceit. We pulled wickedness as with cart ropes.

    We call evil good and good evil. We put darkness for light and light for darkness. We put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. We have been wise in our own eyes and clever in our own sight.

    Our judges have acquitted the guilty for a bribe. They have denied justice to the innocent. We have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty. We have spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.

    Our pastors and prophets teach lies. Our politicians have led us astray. Our leaders make unjust laws and issue oppressive decrees. They deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed. They make widows their prey and rob the fatherless.

    You, O God, asked for justice but saw bloodshed. You called for righteousness but heard cries of distress.

    We are like an oak with fading leaves, we are like a garden without water. The mountains are shaking all around us, and the dead bodies are becoming like refuse in the streets. Therefore, the grave has enlarged its appetite. It has opened its mouth without limit.

    Our cities lie in ruins and without inhabitants. Our houses are left deserted. Our fields are ruined and ravaged. The Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.

    Distressed and hungry, people all over Nigeria are roaming through the land; some are famished and are becoming enraged and, looking upward, they curse their leaders and their God. They look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they are thrust into utter darkness.

    As in the day of Midian’s defeat, so it has been in these days of our distress. You will shatter the yoke that burdens us, the bar across our shoulders, the rod of our oppressor.

    The Light of Israel has become a fire, our Holy One a flame; and in a single day it has burnt and consumed his thorns and his briers.

    The lofty trees have been felled, and the tall ones have been brought low. Our God has cut down the forest thickets with an ax.

    Nevertheless, we are looking for that day when the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

    We know the Lord will bring it about when the cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

    The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child will put his hand into the viper’s nest.

    We know that they will neither harm nor destroy on all God’s holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

    Sokoto trembles; Zamfara flees. Cry out, O Daughter of Nigeria!

    Listen, Lagos! Poor Owerri! Maiduguri is in flight; the people of Iwo take cover.

    Help us, Lord, to beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks. Restore us, O Lord.  Renew us, O Lord. Give us fresh hope and new beginnings, O Lord. Restore our judges, our politicians, our governors, our councilors, and our leaders. Make us the city of righteousness, the faithful city, according to your promise O Lord.

    Redeem us with justice. Redeem our penitent ones with righteousness. Let nation not take up sword against nation anymore. Let us stop building up our armories and stop training for war.

    O Lord, cause us to walk in the light of the Lord.  Let the eyes of the arrogant man be humbled. Let the pride of men be brought low. Let the Lord alone be exalted.

    For the day of the Lord of hosts shall come upon everything proud and lofty, upon everything lifted up and it shall be brought low. Upon all the irokos of Nigeria that are high and lifted up. Upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, Upon every high tower, and upon every fortified wall.

    The Lord says to us with His strong hand upon us, warning us not to follow the way of these people. He says: “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear, and do not dread what they dread.”

    The Lord Almighty is the one we are to regard as holy. He is the one we are to fear: He is the one we are to dread.

    We will wait. We will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. We will put our trust in him.

    Here we are, and the children the Lord has given us. We are signs and symbols in Nigeria, in West Africa, in Africa from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.

    For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government is on His shoulders. And He is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness for forever.

    The zeal of the Lord Almighty has accomplished this.

  • Pastor charges members N1m to teach them how to pray (VIDEO)

    Pastor charges members N1m to teach them how to pray (VIDEO)

    An American Pastor, Dr Juanita Bynum, has been called out online for charging her members $1499 (N1m) as a fee to teach them how to pray.

    The Pastor also attached the packages included for the 4-week prayer session.

    She shared this on Facebook with the caption;

    Pastor charges members N1m to teach them how to pray

    “The Prayer Institute, a four week 7 Session, in-person 2 hour intensive. Register Now!

    “Location: Atlanta, GA

    Seating is Limited!”

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Bynum is a Prophetess, an American Televangelist, Platinum Gospel Recording Artist, New York Times Best Selling Author, Television and Radio Personality, Actress, and Empowerment Coach.

    She is the CEO of Juanita Bynum Enterprises, a multi-faceted lifestyle and empowerment product company based in New York.

    Bynum was Born on January 16th, 1959 as one of five children from the marriage of Elder Thomas Bynum Sr. and Katherine Bynum.

    She was born and raised in Chicago and received many starring roles in school productions such as, My Fair Lady.

    As a member of the High School National Who’s Who program, Bynum attended Saints Academy High School of the Church of God in Christ in Lexington, MS. She fellowshipped at St. Luke Church of God in Christ.

    Pastor charges members N1m to teach them how to pray
    Dr Juanita Bynum

    After Bynum graduated from high school, she started preaching in nearby churches and at revivals. Gaining some recognition at this point, she began a series of what she calls “Lessons in Submission”.

    In 1996 Bishop T.D. Jakes invited Bynum to attend one of his singles’ conferences, where she rose from attendee to speaker in two years. In 1997, she released “No More Sheets,” a video and audiotape series about her changed lifestyle.

    In July 1999, Bynum re-preached “No More Sheets” at Jakes’ 52,000 attendee Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Conference in Atlanta. She began appearing regularly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. The conference was viewed in many parts of the world.

    Pastor charges members N1m to teach them how to pray
    Dr Juanita Bynum

    In 2000, Bynum taught a class on the subjects of character, submission and time management at New Greater Bethel Ministries in Jamaica, New York, attended by a class of approximately 70 women. While teaching, her Women’s Weapons of Power Conference was organized. The Weapons of Power conference was held annually through 2006.

    Watch her video below:

  • [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Pray through it all

    [Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Pray through it all

    By Oke Chinye

    Read: Philippians 4:4-7

    Meditation verse:

    “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

    Prayer is an intimate two-way communication between you and God. It is you talking to your Father as well as listening to Him speak to you. A key secret to a more peaceful and fulfilling life is praying your way through any and every situation in your life. You must learn to cast your cares upon the Lord and let Him carry your burdens.

    In the place of prayers, your burdens are exchanged for God’s yoke which is light and easy. In the place of prayers, your understanding is enlightened, your mind is renewed, and your strength restored. In the place of prayers, you call back life into the things that are dead around you. You can speak life to every area of your life where are experiencing deadness. You do not have to live in marital deadness, or spiritual apathy, or physical weariness or financial misery. You can settle all of this in the place of prayer.

    When burdened by the challenges of life, go to God in prayers, and pray through those challenges. Psalm 126 says: when The Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. God’s ability to restore life is beyond our understanding. Trees are burnt down and can grow back, broken bones heal, dead tissues are restored. That’s the life-giving power of God. He can renew your youth as the eagles (Isaiah 40:31). He can make all things new. He can restore the years the canker worms have eaten. And He has given you the keys of the kingdom so that whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven and whatever you lose on earth is loosed in heaven. He says you shall decree a thing and it shall be established for you.

    So, speak life into every area of your life that is experiencing dryness and watch God back you up. Whatever you allow is allowed, whatever you forbid is forbidden. Pray through any and every situation. Your harvest of joy and restoration will come.

     

    IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

    For Prayers and Counseling email rockteachingministry@gmail.com

    or call +2348155525555

    For more enquiries, visit: www.rockteachingministry.org.

  • Of Prayer, Politics and Nigerian Youths – By Emma Esinnah

    Of Prayer, Politics and Nigerian Youths – By Emma Esinnah

    By Emma Esinnah

    Oftentimes, you hear some people say that Nigerians are praying too much. I agree that there are some things that Nigerians are not doing enough of. But anyone who thinks or says that Nigerians are praying too much probably does not understand the enormity of Nigeria’s problems.

    For a moment, let us focus on our youths. In the political space, one hears comments like “the future belongs to the youths’ or the talk about “giving the youths a chance in the politics of the nation”. If we honestly believe that the youths represent our future, and critically look at the conduct of majority of the Nigerian youths of today, our prayers would become more earnest and more fervent.

    We see a number of Nigerian youths who epitomize resilience, enterprise and creativity, both within Nigeria and outside our shores. They have done it in technology, the arts, finance and entertainment. Unfortunately, these shining stars are less visible; less audible. We also wish we had more of such people.

    But an uncomfortably large number of our youths, especially those calling themselves leaders of the Nigerian youths, are a bunch of greedy, godless and selfish beings. They have shown themselves to be no better than the current politicians that we justly vilify. Obviously, the fathers and the sons are smoking from the same pipe and drinking from the same chalice – there is hardly any difference between them. And a few instances here will justify the need for more prayers.

    Recently, Nigerians in South Africa were targets of Xenophobic attacks in that country. Some Nigerians there lost everything – livelihood, limbs and lives! Nigerians at home were understandably incensed. As part of the reactions that trailed that incident, a group of the so-called Nigerian youths, under the aegis of a student body, threatened reprisal attacks against South African interests in Nigeria. They actually mobilized and started. Somehow, someone reached out to them to “calm down and come for a meeting”. At the meeting, you would think these “leaders of Nigerian youths” would demand a guarantee of the safety of their country men living in South Africa. You know what they asked for? Scholarship for themselves to go and study in for master degrees in South Africa! Even the foreigners they were talking to were embarrassed on behalf of our country.

    By the way, when was the last election of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) national executive done? There are allegations that the people on the executive now are no longer students, but the allure of the office is too much to resist. Time there was when NANS was such an authentic, credible voice of the Nigerian students. Nothing mattered to NANS executive as much as the well-being of the students, and by extension, the youths of Nigeria. But not the NANS of today. Today, they are a youth wing of the government in power or the opposition, depending on the state the university is located. Today, the ills we lament among the politicians in Abuja and the state capitals are rife among the politicians on campus, in the name of the student union governments. If you have been following the stories of the scandals in the student union governments in the various universities you would truly worry about the future of our country. In some universities, the Student Union Presidents have First Ladies! Youths! They actually go about in sirens and use exotic cars! In fact, you would be ashamed to hear about the perfidy in the departmental associations presided over by our youths. So, what is the difference between them and the ones you would have loved them to replace? They are obviously worshipping at the same shrine and bowing down to the same gods of debauchery and materialism.

    For a moment, let’s leave out the youths in the universities. Let’s step down to the secondary level. Did you read about the school in Lagos that wanted to appoint a Head Girl. A particular girl, Bose (not real name), was favoured by the teachers- she was brilliant, disciplined, neat, well-spoken, good-looking. The ideal Head Girl. The teachers believed that the girl was equally popular with her fellow students. And she actually was. In an effort to help the students imbibe the tenets of democracy, the teachers decided to hold an election for the post, convinced that their candidate could never lose. On the day of the election, there was another candidate. The second candidate and Bose presented their manifestoes. The teachers were very pleased with themselves because Bose outperformed her challenger in every respect. The students were asked to cast their votes. To the surprise of the teachers, Bose lost the election. Why? Why? Why? The other candidate bought Gala sausage rolls for the students, Bose did not. She lost the election. And this is secondary school! Not APC or PDP presidential primaries. And you think we should not be praying?

    So far, we have looked at the Nigerian youth in the education sector. When you look beyond that, you find more need for prayers. The mindless pursuit of money has driven our youths into all kinds of abominable things. Youths are using their own girlfriends and boyfriends for money ritual. Youths are involved in internet fraud, otherwise called “Yahoo! Yahoo!” What about drugs? What about being thugs to politicians? Many of them are prepared to do any and everything just to get money to buy 2004 model of Lexus SUV and big phones, and to live large on the social media. For the girls, the sign of having arrived is if you can talk rot and wear revealing clothes, and dance erotically.

    As we look to 2023, many are saying look toward the youths. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a difference between father and son. The so-called youths, especially those who have become vocal, for the reason of their involvement either in student politics or youth wings of the various political parties, are no better than the old brigade of politicians. The same debauchery, vainglory and greed that hallmark our politicians have been detected in cancerous proportions in the vital organs of our youth bodies. So, in 2023, we do hope and pray that individuals will qualify to be voted for, not because they are called youths, but simply because they are God-fearing people, no matter the age category they belong to. At the end of the day, it is the fear of God that restrains men from evil, especially in an environment where there is no consequence for aberrant behaviour in public office. As desirous as it would have been, we are not looking to the youths to deliver the nation from the quagmire it has thrown itself into. The youths we are looking at today, especially those getting involved in politics, do not show any promise that they will be any better tomorrow than the worst politician you see today. The more you think about the decadence, the more you ask yourself, if we don’t pray more, what then? Certainly, there are some things we need to do more of, but we cannot do less praying! The middle ground would be as St. Augustine would say, to “ pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on us”.

  • Support your prayers with positive attitude, Saraki urges Muslims

    Support your prayers with positive attitude, Saraki urges Muslims

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has urged Nigerians to support their prayers for the country with positive attitude.

    The former Kwara State number one citizen congratulated Nigerian Muslims for the successful completion of this year’s (1443 AH) Ramadan fasting and also for the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

    Saraki in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, advised Nigerians to support the numerous prayers they have made during the holy month concerning their nation with positive attitudes which are necessary for nation-building.

    He added that Ramadan symbolizes almighty Allah’s way of teaching humanity the attitude of living a virtuous life where people keep away from all forms of impurities and experience denial of several forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience as they suffer deprivation.

    “While all of us seek to stay away from activities that are injurious to our health, our nation, and our fellow human beings and seek to live a decent life during the fasting period, we should make this solemn and God-fearing way of life a permanent thing.

    “We should all extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours. We should seek peace at all times, promote tolerance of people who speak different languages with us, and worship God in different ways. We should respect the laws of the land and exhibit discipline at all times. Our level of patriotism should increase after Ramadan. That is what this just ended holy month signifies.

    “I do not doubt that millions of Nigerian Muslims who just completed their fasting as well as their Christian brothers and sisters who earlier this month completed the Lent period of fasting prayed for Nigeria. It is the cumulation of all these prayers that have kept this country going despite all the serious challenges confronting her. I believe God will decisively intervene in the affairs of our country and save her from all the existential threats.

    “As the 2023 general election approaches and we gradually commence the process that will lead us to the polls when we will have the opportunity to elect new leaders that will save the country, I pray for genuine guidance from Almighty God for all the citizens of this country, particularly the ones that are of voting age. May we choose right and may our choice ultimately lead to the redemption, rebuilding, rededication, development, and fixing of the country”, Saraki prays.

  • A prayer for divine Intervention – By Hope Eghagha

    By Hope Eghagha

    O! compatriots and kinsmen, when storms destroy the farmlands relentlessly for seven weeks, termites eat the crops for seven weeks, our children die in the hands of kidnappers while serving the nation, earthquakes shake the land at night and in the day, terrorists walk the land at night and in the day, bandits rule the nights, kidnappers rule the day, herdsmen carry AK-47s to harass the innocent of the land, herdsmen seize farmlands that do not belong to them, when government says we should cede our lands to foreign herdsmen so that we may live, young men slaughter ladies, harvest their body parts, rape their mothers for ritual money, when so-called pastors bury live human beings in their altar in your name, when non-state actors rule some states, when injustice sits in the court of justice, death becomes second skin, it is time to run to the divine for restitution, for divine intervention.

    To whom do we cry, who do we call, when bandits become an alternative government, stronger than the army of the land, stronger than the government that claims we elected them? Do we still have the moral right, are we qualified to still call on you when there is so much pollution in the land, when blood touches blood? Do you have a controversy with us? O God of Jeremiah Awolowo, God of Benjamin Azikiwe, God of Balewa, what have we done to deserve this plague that calls itself a government, a government which stays supine in the cold luxury of Abuja while scoundrels snuff out lives with reckless ease? Is this a curse on us your poor children for rejecting good governors for ethnic jingoists? Is this a visit of the serpents which you unleashed on the stubborn Jews at Mount Hur during the exodus? When shall we have a Serpent of Brass? When shall the messiah come? Who will save us from the apostates in power? Who Lord, who? Who do we cry to when an Imam is suspended from the altar because he cries aloud about the failure of the State to stop killings?

    Our nation bleeds. Our hearts fail us for fear. Too many strange things are happening in the land. There is food. There is meat. Yet, some of us kill human beings and eat flesh? Fierce looking young men and women seize informal power in some parts of the land and impose their own rule, spilling blood of the innocent? Even during the civil war, we did not live in such hopelessness. Is this the apocalypse so long in prophecy? My pastor assures me it is not yet the Great Tribulation. If this is not the Great Tribulation yet we are gnashing our teeth, the sea is boiling, the mountain is melting already, what would the Day be when you shall throw us out of the land? It is not a story to tell. It is not a good story to pass on. What must we do O Almighty father! A goat does not suffer the pains of parturition when elders are around! Who do we cry to when the locusts eat our food and decimate our farms? Who, Father, who?

    Dear Father, Devil is on the loose, Fire is on the loose, this could be our noose, unless we cut the noose! Someone loves the noose, he rigidly fiddles for the noose, because he has nothing to lose, if we all face the noose, for the noose is the news he has for the mews of mewing children. Our necks are tightened by the black noose, black patriots cry about the noose, even white strangers cry about the black noose, yet fat messengers of the noose indolently remain on the loose to praise the hands of the noose till the raging fire of the noose consume us with herdsmen’s noose. Who shall tell the news of the noose?

    They said they would change the land. They said they would provide power supply. The gods of Abuja said they would bring down the cost of gas. They even promised to end the reign of terror. They promised to end Boko Haram. But they have become Boko Haram to the hungry citizens of the land. They refused to call black, black; they gave it another name. They refused to brand the terrorists of the northeast as terrorists. They branded the boys in the east as terrorists and outlawed their organisation. Killers roam the land, protected by some unwritten codes of dishonour! Who shall save the land? O Lord God, arise and save your children.

    So it was Chinelo, the nation’s young daughter, trained as a medical doctor, ready to leave the land to pursue her dream was bombed to death by bloodthirsty hounds. She was shot. Posted her picture. Called for help. Attack dogs of the gods in Abuja called her names. And she bled to death. Will her blood not haunt the land if her killers walk the land with impunity? What makes the gods of Abuja believe that their reign should continue in post-2023 elections? Why should they show their faces in the ballot? To deceive the people? Do they think we are morons? Is that they believe our votes will not count? That the result of the elections is written already? O Lord! Have mercy on us and send down the rain!

    Everything has got its time and season. Let this be the time for restoration. Let the locusts go away. The suffering in the land has a distended stomach. It can eat up everybody except your mercy comes from above. Save us that we may be saved. Help us that we may be helped. Heal us that we may be healed. If a pregnancy could be hidden, we would hide this one. Who gave them the power to ruin lives in such an impudent manner? Who gave them this nonchalance over what matters to your children who cry to you daily? Is that an affliction from you?

    Arise o Lord, arise as in Mount Perazim. Arise and bring succour to the land. Overturn, O Lord, overturn, and overturn and let your Mercy sit on the throne in the land. We have no one but thee!