Our attention has been drawn to a
statement credited to the
President and founder of the Living
Faith Church worldwide, also Known
as Winners’ Chapel, Bishop David
Oyedepo, which has gone viral.
He was reported to have made the
statement last Sunday when the
President of the federal republic of
Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan came to worship at Faith
Tabernacle, which is the
headquarters of the ministry.
The falsehood that is being spread
around by mischief makers is that
the Bishop, while praying for the
President, said, “I will open the
gates of hell to anyone who oppose
you.” A little later, some others who
in an attempt to “defend” the
Bishop, came up with another quote
purportedly said by Dr. Oyedepo,
which is: “I will open the gates of
hell to those who oppose the peace
of this nation.”
Well, let’s set the records straight:
The Press and Publicity Unit of the
church, publishers of Faith
Tabernacle News, was at the 3rd
service and recorded (on tape), the
President’s 6-minute speech, the
congregational prayer for him and
the Bishop’s blessing on the
President.
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is also
the presidential candidate of the
ruling party – the PDP, came to the
church as the President of this
country, not as a candidate in the
forthcoming elections. And Bishop
Oyedepo prayed for him, as
instructed in the Bible book of 1
Timothy 2:1-2, as the President of
Nigeria not as a PDP standard-
bearer.
HOW THE BISHOP AND THE
CONGREGATION PRAYED FOR THE
PRESIDENT
Even though we have published it on
this platform, for those who are yet
to read it, these were the exact
words spoken by the Bishop while he
was leading the congregational
prayers for the President. As
always, he took his bearing from the
Word of God:
“1st Timothy 2:1-2: I exhort you
therefore, that first of all,
supplications, prayers and
intercessions, and giving of thanks,
be made for all men.” Then on the
priority list is “For kings and for
all that are in authority; that we
may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty.”
“I only had an idea of the
President’s visit just yesterday. It
wasn’t there last Friday when we
had the One Night with The king. So
we are going to be praying for our
President. Let prayers and
supplications and intercessions be
made for all men; first of all, for
kings, and for them that are in
authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty.
And after that I will do what the
priests are asked to do. It says
“Speak to Aaron, that after this
manner shall ye bless.” Proclaim
blessings as a priest of God over
our President, and the blessings will
answer, in the name of Jesus Christ.
In Numbers 6:23-26, The Lord said
to Moses and the children of Israel
saying “On this wise shall ye bless
the children of Israel saying: The
Lord bless thee and keep thee; the
Lord make His face to shine upon
thee, and be gracious unto thee; The
Lord lift His countenance upon thee
and give thee peace.”
When that blessing comes to stay,
something happens. You see, the
generation of the Old Testament
knew the value of blessings; they
would even cry for it. Every
blessing proclaimed upon you today
must answer on your life.
I like us to be on our feet and lift
the President up to God. Whatever
you desire to see God bring about in
his life; bring about in our nation,
begin to pray that prayer right now.
Father, release your grace upon the
President to manage the demands
of his office.
Release unusual grace in increasing
dimensions, to manage the demands
of his office.
Cause your face to shine upon him.
Lord, grant the desires of his heart.
Grant Nigeria peace.
Under him, grant Nigeria greater
advancement.
Thank you father, in Jesus’ name we
pray.”
THEN THE BISHOP ALONE PRAYED
FOR THE PRESIDENT
“This entire church proclaims the
President blessed today
Blessed with divine wisdom to
manage the demands of his office
Blessed with keys to see the
miraculous in his life
Blessed with grace that will advance
His cause in our nation
Every time we pray here, God hears.
The Bible says “Wherever 2 or 3 are
gathered, I’m there in their midst,
and if we agree concerning
anything, it’s done for us.”
Therefore, in the name of Jesus, our
President is declared blessed.
His going out is blessed, his coming
in is blessed.
The will of God is blessed in his
life.
Thank you father, blessed be your
name, in Jesus precious name.”
And the whole congregation shouted
“Amen.” That was it!
NOTE:
1. There was no mention of “hell” in
the prayer
2. There was no mention of “the
gates of hell” in the prayer
3. There was no mention of
“opposition” or “oppose” in that
prayer
4. It is very clear that these
mischief makers where waiting for
an opportunity, which presented
itself in President Jonathan’s visit
to the church in the heat of the
campaigns. And with what we have
seen, most politicians can do just
anything to whip up sentiments and
score cheap political points.
5. The church has never been
involved in partisan politics but has
been prayerfully active in ensuring
that the Nigerian ship doesn’t sink
6. The church has always obeyed the
biblical injunction to pray for those
in authority and the “peace of
Jerusalem.”
7. This is not an attempt to defend
the church or Bishop Oyedepo, as we
already know that no matter how
far a lie has travelled, the truth
will definitely overtake it.
8. This is also not an attempt to
defend God, because the Almighty
God is more than able to defend
himself.
9. As you read this, no one has even
called to confirm from the ministry
the veracity of this claim and a
video recording of the service which
is equally online has been labeled
“doctored” by those who are bent
on dragging the name of the church
into partisan politics.
10. For the record, this is exactly
what happened; whatever is being
peddled was obviously created by
those who want to benefit politically
from the controversy; and promoted
by bloggers who want to drive
traffic to their sites; and spread
by those who already think they
have an axe to grind with their
perceived lifestyle of Bishop
Oyedepo.
Jesus is Lord!

Freedom of speech...i will soon publish my own article...first to comment..tank u lord

NOTED

Nice attempt...

I will assume that the part where the Bishop prayed for the division of the country if God wanted it was part of the manipulated video.

Or better still the part where he said anybody that looks like a BH member should be killed and their blood spilled without recourse to appropriate autorities was also edited.

Several years ago, I kept several tapes of Bishop Oyedepo in my library, I listened to them over and over, it encouraged me and was partly responsible for my success back in school but I must admit that this rebuttal is weak and did not provide a solid response to the parts of the sermon that broke my heart.

I will agree with some other comments that I have read from many neutral people on this issue...pastors in Nigeria, be it father Mbaka, Bishop Oyedepo and others should refrain from these hate speeches.

I just wonder what would have happened if all these speeches have been credited to Imams or Islamic religious leaders.

Most Nigerians have made up their minds to vote for the candidates of their choice, those who are undecided will just follow the bandwagon on the election date, we do not need to heat up the country because of our personal views.