Easter: Anglican Bishop, Akinfenwa Prays for Nigeria, Seeks End to Reign of Evil
A Prayer for Nigeria at Easter
Our Father in heaven, we bring our nation Nigeria before You as we commemorate at Easter the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ for the redemption of humanity. Nigeria is in urgent need of healing and redemption. There has been so much bloodshed, so much violence, so much robbery, so much injustice, and so much wickedness in this land. You told us in Your word that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people; yet we chose sin, and now behold, we are held in reproach in the comity of nations. The consequences of sin are visible in every facet of our national life. Our vile contempt of Your commandments has invited inevitable judgment upon us. But we realize that this way shall lead only to utter destruction. Therefore we have come before Your throne to intercede on behalf of this nation Nigeria. Father, have mercy upon us. Father, forgive us, Father, intervene in our affairs. Put an end to the reign of evil in Nigeria. Arrest the sponsors and masterminds of evil in our land, especially those who shed innocent blood and those who kidnap and extort money from Your people. Father, please uproot swiftly all those who have entrenched themselves in a system of graft and loot in every facet of our national life. Remove from power every office holder whose determination is to further impoverish Your people by converting public resources to private use. Father, enthrone in Nigeria a reign of justice and righteousness; and let there be peace and prosperity in our land, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You shed Your precious blood for the remission of sins, and for the redemption of all mankind – Nigerians inclusive. You invited us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Please let Your grace flow abundantly toward our people and our land, that Your spirit of forgiveness may fill our hearts and cure us of hatred, bitterness, wickedness, and all vengeful and vile inclinations. Lord, let Your power overwhelm the violent as it overwhelmed Saul on the road to Damascus Just like Saul, turn them away from their evil enterprise and redirect them onto noble kingdom ventures by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dear Holy spirit, You fill God’s creation and empower humanity to do the will of the Father. We invite You to fill this nation Nigeria with Your holy and righteous presence. We beseech You to shine the light of God into every habitation of darkness in this land, so much so that all workers of darkness and iniquity shall have no place again in our land. Let every nook and cranny of Nigeria be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea, and let the joy of salvation fill all homes. Let the people of this nation truly experience the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, both now at Easter, and forever more – as we pray in the exalted name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
The Most Rev. Joseph O. Akinfenwa, D.D, Ph.D
Bishop, Ibadan Anglican Diocese
