IF ONLY CHRISTIANS CAN PRAY

With the happenings in the nation today and considering the events that pervaded both the pre-election, election and post-election periods and not also forgetting the permutations, predictions and threats that flew around and also the resultant palpable tension, one can’t help but wonder if the nation actually have a future together or if the woes experienced are as a result of the 1914 amalgamation and can only be resolved by the division of the country. Different questions are being asked about the possible reasons for the perceived woes, different answers given and different solutions proffered by different people from different disciplines.

However, with all these events and questions being asked, one exceptional question stands out which requires more than the conventional “yes” or “no”. The question which is quite common is “Are you a Christian” and “where are the Christians?” Yes, where are the Christians while all these things are happening or have they lost their salt because they are known for something. But before we go further, let the tables now turn, so answer the question “Are you a Christian?” Wait! What did you just say? Yes? If so when was the last time you prayed for Nigeria? I don’t get it and so it is possible I am wrong, but do you mean you can’t remember? I am not asking about the day when your pastor, president or General Coordinator called for a group prayer but the day when you individually prayed for Nigeria. And don’t even think of lying because am right behind you! The second question now is when was the last time you prayed for yourself? I believe you can remember this without an hitch. So the question that actually comes up next is “Why do Christians find it hard praying for Nigeria?” Yes, why do they? Because even the unbelievers, the Muslims, the heathens have heard famous bible stories of Daniel and how the holy ones demanded for a “thing” and it was decreed by the watchers. Even the Muslims and Hindus have read stories of Martin Luther and Savanarola who through prayers brought changes to their country. Why Christians do finds it hard praying for Nigeria? Are there even Christians? If yes, where are they? These questions might be seen as philosophical and indeed paradoxical because when examined more closely, one finds out that there is more to it than just a conventional answer.

With the stories of bloodshed, bombings, crisis and other tragedies which were once alien to the nation but which now have become a part of the nation daily affairs, one still finds it hard to believe that there are Christians. If so, where are they? Where are they in the face of all these challenges? Don’t they realize that the nation has need of them? They claim to have a God that answer but why can’t them pray? Infact where are the people you call Christians? Are they not the ones found daily at the cinemas and buses who argue sometimes blindly about frivolous issues or about the political landscape of Nigeria? The above question might be wrong, but are they the same people who are being accused of receiving bribe, compromise and other social and moral vices? I stand to be corrected, but if am wrong, where are they?

One obvious but painful fact is that the acclaimed Christians have left one of their most important tasks which even their master have commanded them when he said “ Pray without ceasing” to engage in other activities that’s why the Muslims and heathens always find them engaging in vices. They don’t pray. They find it hard praying for Nigeria. I make bold to say that the Christians and indeed the church have failed Nigeria because if there is any other time the nation needs them most is now at this trying times when the unity of the nation is at stake. Now when it looks as if things are falling apart. Yes now! They are needed to pray and not to engage in frivolous activities and compromise. They pray for themselves but why do them find it hard praying for Nigeria? Or maybe Christians are not expected to pray for their countries or is it against their biblical laws? But inspiring stories have been told about the exploits of Elijah, Elisha, Girolamo Savonarola, John Hyde and Jonathan Goforth and what they did for their respective nations. Or maybe they are not Christians? If they are, why is the one of Nigeria different? Or maybe Nigeria doesn’t have Christians? If she does, why don’t they pray for her? Don’t they know that the nation is falling apart?

It looks quite disgusting and indeed irritating when we find the Christians alleging plans of islamization. It’s even worse, when they say Nigeria can’t be Islamized. They are very good when speaking based on arguments on this “Islamization Plot”. They are more specialized in interpreting islamization attempts and are even vocal about it. It sounds even scarier when they fail to note that without them praying for Nigeria, all their speeches are like a leaking basket that can’t hold water. If only they can pray, they wouldn’t bother about any islamization threat because they know it will never happen. They wouldn’t bother about the rumours on the incessant killing of Christians because they know that they are safe. They wouldn’t even bother when there is an economic recession because they are assured it will never come near them. But this is if only they pray for Nigeria. But they don’t pray! And even when they do, they are not serious about it and are very much impatient about results. The biggest challenge in the church is impatience and the biggest problems in Nigeria are Christians who don’t pray for their nation. But on a more personal note, when last do you pray for Nigeria? When was the last time you prayed for yourself? Be sincere!

It will be an injustice and therefore very wrong to say that all Christians don’t pray for Nigeria but it would also be pertinent to note that on a scale of ten, eight Christians don’t pray for their Nation, four percent finds it hard praying and of the two percent that pray, one percent pray only when there is need to do so or when told by their leaders to pray. Prayer as used in this context means praying on an individual level and not on group basics; not when called by the leaders or when there is an obvious need to do so.

Moreover, if we now reading this will want to be sincerely frank with ourselves, or if for the purpose of clarity will find it pertinent to do an ‘environmental check’ and ask around, it would be quite obvious and also interesting to note that most Christians for reasons best known to them finds it more easier or rather convenient praying for themselves than for the nation. They most times don’t care about what goes on in the nation as they considered it none of their business and even when called to prayer for specific issues affecting the country by their leaders, they are very reluctant to go most times complaining about what the nation has to give them. They most times do forget the words of John Kennedy when he said that “Don’t ask what your country can give you instead ask what you can give your country”. They pray but they don’t pray about what they were asked to pray for – they convert it to prayers for themselves, their families or their academics. They don’t pray for Nigeria. But why do Christians find it praying for Nigeria? Do you have any idea? As a matter of fact, it is quite clear and obvious that it is not against their biblical laws having read and heard of Christians who helped and prayed for their nation even in the bible. There must surely be another reason for that! Are you a Christian? If yes, why then do you find it hard praying for Nigeria? Air your views so as not to be lost in the forest of righteous curiosity.

The purpose of this article is not to make mockery of Christians or the Christian faith but to awaken them to the fact that they have an important role to play in the country – to pray for the country and that if there is anything the nation needs now is prayerful prayers from prayerful Christians. “Christians pray for us” has always been the cry of the heathen. Are you a Christian? Will you pray? Please do.

If only Christians can pray, a lot of changes would be effected in the nation. If only Christians pray, most of the tragedies that befall the nation and always make headlines would have been averted. Is it the abduction in Borno? The bombings in Enugu or the motorcycle crash in Benue? If only Christians can pray, gory stories of horrible killings will not make headlines. Nigeria prays! We do know that not all Christians don’t pray for Nigeria, but how happy would it be if every one of them does pray individually and wholeheartedly without being called to function by their leaders. If only Christians pray, they would not bother about islamization threats knowing that it can never happen. If only they agree to pray, a lot of problems being faced today as a nation would be corrected knowing fully well that their master has given them authority and tasked them to “pray without ceasing”. Christians pray, the nation needs you. The welfare of Nigeria is the collective responsibility of every Christian. Pray for Nigeria as you pray for yourself because anything that affects it will surely affect you. It is agreed that you may have money to readily fly out in the event of any trouble. But what about your immediate and extended family, your friends and loved ones or even your properties and investments? Will you take them along? Think about those who will have nowhere to run to: those who don’t even have money to go to the next town. What would they do? Are you a Christian? If yes, when was the last time you prayed for Nigeria? Long time ago? No problem, it’s not too late, you can start praying now. The Nation needs and values your prayer. If there is any time that the Country has a need of your prayers is NOW. Please pray for Nigeria. Join the clarion call and pray for Nigeria. Don’t wait for your leaders or till something is rumoured to happen and a group prayer is urgently called. You don’t have to wait because you can start praying now. Please pray for Nigeria. Will You?

Credits to: BRYKT FORUMS

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