That wasn’t going to help in anyway so I ignored that and kept on searching. Finally, after two days the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Orisetjafor released a statement; how happy was I? but after reading it, I must confess I have been left deflated and disappointed. He didn’t suggest any solutions to the Boko Haram issue but simply condemned the act and placed a curse on the perpetrators. Whether that will solve our immediate problems is left for you to decide depending on your belief.
Since the unfortunate incident happened on Monday, I have seen comments from several religious Nigerians online, these comments include: ‘pray for Nigeria’, ‘let’s keep praying for Nigeria’, ‘don’t stop praying for Nigeria’and the most disturbing for me came from IK Osakodiwa of Rhythm FM suggesting that the issue of Boko Haram is spiritual and we need to intensify our prayers. If I may ask, are we the only nation in the world? Why has the devil chosen Nigeria? Is the issue of epileptic power supply spiritual? the issue of bad roads, spiritual?the issue of insecurity? how about the issue of corruption and missing funds?and the educational sector? unemployment? NIS recruitment tragedy?
ARE ALL THE ISSUES FACING NIGERIA SPIRITUAL?
It is therefore evident that millions of Nigeria believe that the solution to Nigeria’s numerous problems lies in praying. The argument in favour of this has been ‘Nigerians are helpless’. Whilst this may be true, many of us know that we have been praying since 1960 and nothing has changed, sadly the situation has gone from bad to worse and I can smell war. We therefore have to change our tactics fast.
I have pictured in my head what will happen in religious centres across the nation over the weekend.
I see people offering thanksgiving and sharing testimonies of how they missed the bomb blast by seconds. I see religious leaders assuring their members that they are safe from Boko Haram because they are God’s children.
I see prophesies of safety concerning the congregation’s children,their children’s children, their cattle and dogs etc.I see religious leaders asking the congregation to pray for Nigeria for a couple of minutes and in their sub-consciousness the congregation will believe they have done their bit to help with Nigeria’s issues. It is a vicious cycle that occurs from weekend to weekend. However, one thing I am sure of is that several religious people died in that blast and several others die daily in our country from accidents due to bad roads, stray bullets due to insecurity and hunger due to poverty. My point is nobody is safe and it can happen to anyone at any time.So what do we have to do? I have decided to view the solution to Nigeria’s problem from a religious angle. Since we are such a religious country and have so much respect for our religious leaders, I have cause to believe the solution lies therein. Therefore, I am writing this to you because I know how respected you are and how millions of Nigerians take your word for what it is.
May I therefore, plead with Nigerian religious leaders to do things differently when their congregation gather for worship this weekend?
• Could you please let your members know that prayers only CANNOT and WILL not solve our problems. If it could, Nigeria will be the best country on earth because we have prayed and prayed and prayed
• Could you please encourage them to start getting angry with the government and demand for their rights? The citizen of any country is entitled to some basic amenities from the government. Several governmentsin Nigeria have come and gone and have not been able to provide us with our entitlements. Many people have turned to God due to helplessness and hopelessness
• Could you please let your congregation know that God will not come down to help us and we have to help ourselves
If you already do this, please intensify it this weekend when your congregation gathers for worship, we need to change the thinking of the average Nigerian. The moment we come to the realization that God will not come down to help us, I believe we will become more ‘aggressive’ and demand for change.
We have to start from somewhere.
Let’s do this for the future of generations unborn.
A
for
Religious Change Nigeria
Less talk, more action plzz
ReplyDelete*CUTEMICKY*
Emeh we r watching match .2long 2read nau. Brb.
ReplyDeleteWriter, start with yourself! Shikena
ReplyDeletePrayer moves mountain,jonathan is very confused nd has no solution,the children of isreal were in bondage for so many years but God showed mercy upon them.Remember the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.All we can do is pray nd be vigilant.
ReplyDeleteprayer is enough action... God certainly knows best, Although yhu number2 point is striking.
ReplyDeleteThese religious leaders keep deceiving their congregation and be collecting their hard earned salary.They will lie to them to sow seed and no evil will attack them and members of their families.Rather than telling them the truth that there is war and that they should keep their weapon beside their bed for protection.
ReplyDeletePrayer is the key to this mess. Nothing again can work. The leaders have failed us
ReplyDeleteWriter, u'll b d 1st 2 acuse spiritual leaders especially pastorsof instigating war. There's nothing prayer cannot do. u said God will not come down, i wonder jow much of Him u know.
ReplyDeleteAlthough this writer used A as his name, people might want to think I am the write, well, I am not... But I agree with this write up 150%... Why? I will site a bible story we all know too well..
ReplyDeleteThe story of moses redeeming the people of isreal in Egypt.. Am sure they prayed and prayed for over 400years in slavery, that it took a particular Moses that God used to rescue the Israelites... When God decided to deliver israel, they prayed, He answered their prayers, but moses had to challenge Pharaoh, the israelites didn't sit in their homes waiting for their prayers to take em to the promised land, they got up and did something(they moved), they stood up against pharaoh.. Bottom line, if you pray, and you do not back your prayer with action, you will remain frustrated.. And that is where I disagree with the writer, for saying that God will not come down to save us... He surely will, but we also have out own part to play, which is we need to come together, fight this menace together, head on and with prayer as our most important weapon..
Prayer is the key
ReplyDeleteThe problem of Nigeria is Nigerians! The politicians were once part of the masses, they did not fall from the sky! We need to change our values and for our leaders to build strong institutions! Corruption has eaten deep into our psyche, how many of us can truthfully say that we don't cut corners, offer and receive bribes, run through red lights! How many of us pay our taxes but yet we are faithful in tithes? How many of us truly love Nigeria and are willing and ready to make the desired change??? How many of us who have friends in the political class challenge them to good governance? Most of us parley them to receive monies and contracts from them! The most corrupt sector in this country is the civil service, EEDC/ NEPA/ PHCN takes the cake followed closely by CUSTOMS and alas they are not politicians. The change we desire lies in our hands and the earlier we realise this the better for us all!
ReplyDeleteThe problem of Nigeria is Nigerians! The politicians were once part of the masses, they did not fall from the sky! We need to change our values and for our leaders to build strong institutions! Corruption has eaten deep into our psyche, how many of us can truthfully say that we don't cut corners, offer and receive bribes, run through red lights! How many of us pay our taxes but yet we are faithful in tithes? How many of us truly love Nigeria and are willing and ready to make the desired change??? How many of us who have friends in the political class challenge them to good governance? Most of us parley them to receive monies and contracts from them! The most corrupt sector in this country is the civil service, EEDC/ NEPA/ PHCN takes the cake followed closely by CUSTOMS and alas they are not politicians. The change we desire lies in our hands and the earlier we realise this the better for us all!
ReplyDeletei think this writer spoke the truth, God will not come down and help us ... let us vote in good leaders. we should start directing our anger to the government...PDP HAS FAILED US
ReplyDeleteThe bible says in (2Chro.7:13-14) about the solution to Nigeria problem and not the men God as the writer suggested,therefore let everyone change from their wicked ways. For instance:-fraudsters,ritualist,bribery,robbery,our actors and musician with evil movies and music etc.
ReplyDeleteThe writer is not trained in a godly home that is why,he wrote this including those who supported his comments about men of God,these days hardly could you find those who want to serve God,except football,movies,ritual,bribery.if we continue in sin God will not answer our prayers.this is not the best time to blame anybody for Nigeria woes let us move closer to God (Joel 2:15-27).
ReplyDeleteAs much I as like this write up. Im going to critic it this way. There's nothing wrong in our religious leaders telling us to pray for the Nation because its the righr thing to do. However, I believe our problem in Nigeria is the people. We pray but yet live in sin. The government is a representative of the citizenry. In our own little corners, do we do the right things? These people in power, who put them there? Nigerians! Because of greed and selfishness.
ReplyDeleteI am very angry at the situation of things in Nigeria. Tired of the blame game and so I ask each and everyone of us to change and make the right changes. OSUN and EKITI citizens, its your turn to do the right thing. VOTE for the candidate with he best plans and manifesto, not the one with the highest funds to throw around. Let's replicate that all over Nigeria. Let's cry out everytime there's an injustice. Please this Nation needs to CHANGE. WE ARE THE CHANGE
The point is, Nigerian religious leaders should help convey this message to their congregation. They are highly respected and for most people, whatever their MOG says is life
DeleteAnd some idiots still do not get the point. Praying for your country is ok, but definitely not enough to solve its problems. They are just so blind
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with d writer he couldn't ve said it any better. We need to stand up for our right. Besides we did not vote them in. They forced their way in.
ReplyDelete