"Now at about the time that Herod stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the church, and he killed James the brother of John with the sword. and because he saw that this thing pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison... intending to bring him forth to the people before Easter.
Peter was therefore kept in prison BUT PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM.” Acts 12:1-4
People of God, by now we don't need a prophet to tell us that this nation has been besieged with fear, and the body of Christ in Nigeria is being terrorized, oppressed and molested. Blood of the innocent are being shed in mass almost every week and as usual children and women are usually the major victims. Our priests whom we had looked up unto so much are being killed like chickens. Christians are being murdered while they are in the very act of worship on the day they had separated to worship their God. By this act alone, they say unto us continually, WHERE IS YOUR GOD?
It’s funny but proven that history often than not does repeat itself. Can you see the correlation between the story in the first paragraph and that which we are facing in Nigeria right now? Let me save you the trouble, you don’t need to search too hard the similarity is the victimization of Christians, the persecution happened then and it’s happening now. Another noteworthy semblance is the act of Herod murdering James the brother of John and by so doing he was indirectly saying to them WHERE IS YOUR GOD? Just like these terrorists are saying to our faces every day.
While committing this to thought, let me quickly interrupt by drawing our attention to a phenomenal occurrence in the days when Herod persecuted the church of the Living God. Something that they did differently, that by which their God proved Himself as the Mighty One, the All Powerful God, Jehovah saboath , the one who is able to do and undo…. People of God, when persecution arose in those days, the Christians did not form pity parties, looking to the government that cannot repair our roads and give electricity for deliverance, instead it was recorded that they PRAYED!
Yes, when they introduced the prayer variable, the equation changed and a different result was birthed. Let me quickly summarize the result when the church began to pray: firstly Peter that was slated for public execution was supernaturally delivered (Acts 12: ) secondly Herod the teerrorist of the early church died by the Hand of God; thirdly the gospel gained momentum and spread more than ever before! ( I like the way King James version stated it – “… and the word of God grew and multiplied).
What was the secret? PRAYER.
O are we saying that Christians are not praying in Nigeria? O yes they are but James 5:16 has made us to understand that there is a particular type of prayer that avails much. Observe that scriptures did not just say that they just prayed, rather it said PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING … Two things here; 1. Prayer was made, and then 2. It was without ceasing.
It might interest you to know that the New testament was written in Greek and Greek language is a very descriptive language, the choice of word in the bible are not to be taken for granted. The word MADE used here in the greek language is the WORD …. Which means ‘manufacture’. Literarily we can say Prayer was Manufactured which implies that the prayer was deliberate, with concerted effort, planned and
The second point says that the prayer was also made without ceasing. This does not just imply that the prayer was said once and several wishes and pity comment followed like we are doing in Nigeria now, it means prayer was made continuously until something happened (P.U.S.H). Without ceasing also connote that prayer was made consistently without discouragement, without giving up, in spite and despite… prayer continued! No wonder they got that kind of result. Halleluiah!
Bretheren, our God is alive and still very much powerful as of old, but the manifestation of his power in our situation depends on as much as we allow it. Eph 3:20 God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ever ask or think ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US. So his ability in our situation is tied to the power that is at work in us.
I believe very strongly that if Christians can begin to occupy their position in the place of prayer, we will begin to see outstanding result in this land (II Chronicles 14:20 – If my people who are called by my name shall turn from their wicked ways and humble themselves and pray, then I will hear from heaven and heal their land). The land of Nigeria needs healing.
With this revelation, I have committed myself to a one hour prayer everyday fro the almost a month now as much as the Holy Spirit is helping me, and along the line I have this impression to raise a 120 people prayer team to pray at least one hour for the body of Christ in Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole, for the next 21 days and we shall begin to see outstanding result and supernatural intervention into the situation of this land.
God confirmed this impression I had with Joel 2 : 1 – 20 which I received during one of my prayer sessions. If you can make out time to read verses 1 to 11, it like a description of terrible things that is happening in Nigeria already and that will still happen if a drastic step is not taken like the one we are clamouring for now. Verses 12 – 17 specifies what is to be done to remedy the impending doom (vs 15-17 blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the people… and pray unto God).
Finally Verses 18 – 20 assures us that if we can do these the Lord will hear and be jealous for our beloved country Nigeria and pity his people – Christians… and will remove far from us the NORTHERN ARMY (my guess is as good as yours).
Beloved there is Viictory if only we can pray.
I trust God that you have fully digested this write up and if you are a Christian and you wabt to be part of this 120 people praying for 21 days, please indicate on this blog . you don’t need to come to any place to pray, but right from our abode we can begin to make prayers together for Church and Nigeria.
To join this team of prayer warriors simply indicateby posting a comment on this blog. No need to write your name nor phone number, simply write the first 2 letters of your name,
