A guide to help you pray for people affected by the Security crisis in Nigeria

Nigerians are facing an unprecedented wave of different but overlapping security crises – from kidnapping to extremist insurgencies – almost every corner of the country has been hit by violence and crime. According to analysts; the insecurity threatens the very fabric of Nigerian society: “With every attack, human lives are lost or permanently damaged and faith in democracy and the country is diminishing.

 

What to pray for

There are 7 prayer Points to concentrate our prayers on, (i). For Peace and Justice in Nigeria. (ii). Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria. (iii). Persecution of Christians in Nigeria. (iv). For PSJ UK. (v). For the Nigerian Diaspora in the UK. (vi). Security in Nigeria. (vii). For UK

For Peace and Justice in Nigeria

  • The Lord to bring to an end the killings and kidnappings of innocent, ordinary citizens
  • The Lord to expose the evil plans and agendas that are being perpetrated over Nigeria
  • The Lord to give wisdom to the Nigerian Leaders on what to do to address comprehensively the security situation.
  • God to raise leaders who are Godly and who will govern in the interest of the people and for national unity.
  • The Security forces (The Police, Army and related agencies) and its leaders – That God will use them to maintain peace and secure the people.
  • God to cause the Church to unite and speak as ONE.

 

For PSJ UK

  • For God to give the leaders and volunteers of PSJ UK His wisdom on what to do, how to do it and when to do it.
  • For God to grant PSJ UKfavour in all it sets out to do
  • For God to raise supporters and funders to sustain the work
  • For God to wake up Nigerians in the diaspora and cause them to rally behind the cause and movement for a safe and secure Nigeria.
  • For God to bring forth talents and skills and resources from all over to contribute their quota to a united and cohesive effort.
  • That God will raise influencers that will rally to this cause.
  • That God will give us a voice of influence in the corridors and offices of power in the UK
  • For God to watch over and protect each person who puts their hands to the plough in this endeavour – meeting their needs in all areas of their lives and keeping them in good and divine health.

For the Nigerian Diaspora in the UK

  • Thank God for the relative peace and security here in the UK.
  • Pray for peace and security in our beloved country Nigeria, so that the gospel will not be hindered, but will be rapidly spread in both rural and urban areas, both by missionaries and by ordinary Christians who have been forced to flee their villages and homes.
  • Pray against the principalities and powers responsible for stirring up persecution against the Christian Church in Northern Nigeria.
  • Pray that international Christian organisations as well as advocacy organisations led by Nigerian Christians will continue to advocate for persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria and that they will succeed in getting the UK government to require the Nigerian Government to fulfil its principal function which is to protect the lives and properties of all its citizens.
  • Pray against the misinformation and lies that some Nigerian leaders are spreading that farmers and Fulani herdsmen are clashing as a result of the effects of climate change and there is no persecution of Christians involved. Pray that the truth will not only be known but that swift action to support those who are being persecuted will be enacted.
  • Pray that Christians abroad, confessing our wrongdoings and complacency may be stirred up by God’s holy Spirit, to make supplications, prayers and intercessions for all those in authority in Nigeria including the traditional rulers, that they may come to the knowledge of the truth that is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Pray that the Nigerian Christians in the UK may realise the need to urgently respond to the needs of persecuted Christians in Nigeria in order to play their part in enabling the Church in Northern Nigeria to stand strong in the face of intense persecution.
  • Pray that Christians in the UK may help to raise awareness of the situation in Northern Nigeria as it appears that the Nigerian media is largely silent on this issue in the South of the country.  Also, Christians in the South may know how to respond in ways that will help the spread of the gospel, in faith and not in fear.
  • Pray that God will burden the hearts of Christians in the UK to pray earnestly for an end to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, for the resettlement of those who have had to flee their villages and homes in safer areas, for the release of those who have been abducted and for the rehabilitation of those who have been disabled as a result of terrorist attacks.
  • Pray that God raises helpers who will partner with Christian groups in Nigeria to raise the much-needed finances for those who have been adversely affected by the ongoing persecution and discrimination against Christian believers in the North.
  • Pray Christians in the UK who are seeking to assist persecuted Christians in Nigeria may work collaboratively with authentic Christian leaders in Nigeria so that the humanitarian relief and other assistance provided will match the specific needs of the brethren.
  • Pray for a unity of purpose among Nigerian Christians in the UK, that they may follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in how they respond individually or corporately, and that whatever they do may be sustained and accomplished through prevailing prayer.
  • Pray that Nigerian Christians in this country may not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes, but have the spiritual maturity to organise themselves and work collaboratively, effectively and efficiently to meet the spiritual and physical needs of Christians at home in Nigeria. Help us to feel their pain and to act urgently as directed by the Holy Spirit.
  • Pray that as we help our persecuted brethren, God will also prepare us for the trials and tribulations that we are currently facing or are yet to face here in the UK so that we will not faint on the day of adversity.
  • Pray for individual Church leaders and Christians that you know in Nigeria, that the Father will sustain them, the Holy Spirit inspire them and Saviour’s love enable them not to be weary in well doing, but to continue to preach the gospel, baptising and discipling new converts as well as those who have known the Lord for a long time.
  • Pray for Muslims in this country and in Nigeria, many of whom are ordinary people who genuinely want to know God, so that they may come to the knowledge of the truth. Pray especially for Muslim women and girls, who are often living under oppressive conditions.
  • Pray that more Christians in the UK may be awakened to the reality of the persecution of their brothers and sisters and having been awakened to its intensity, may not grow weary of praying, advocating and supporting persecuted Christians in Nigeria.

 

Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria

  • Pray that the 2023 elections may result in a president and national leaders whose hearts are directed by the Lord to implement the freedom of religion and belief which is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
  • Pray that Nigerians belonging to different religions or denominations may learn to disagree without making enemies of one another, regardless of different ethnic and religious identities, so that they can all have a peaceful coexistence.
  • Pray that Christians pray more earnestly working for the salvation of non-Christians, including Muslims, and avoiding arguments and confrontations which do not further the cause of the gospel.
  • Many mission agencies, especially in the core north are not able to continue their rural missions, evangelism and discipleship programmes because of the level of insecurity.
  • Pray that in relatively peaceful places, gospel outreaches and discipleship programmes may continue safely and successfully.
  • Pray that the mission agency may be able to develop training manuals and strategies for effective evangelism and discipleship. Also, to learn effective ways to continue to sensitize the Church in both the North and the South as to disciple believers from Muslim backgrounds and those converted from traditional religions.
  • Pray that many Muslim leaders all over Nigeria but particularly in the North may be given dreams and visions of the Lord Jesus Christ who they are persecuting so that like Saul on the Damascus Road, they may submit themselves to the Lordship of Christ.
  • Pray for unity among Christian Churches in the North and South of the country as well as unity among Nigerian Christians generally so that they can demonstrate the love of Christ to those who do not know Him and be able to encourage one another to hold fast to all that they have been taught in the holy scriptures.
  • Pray for the vast numbers of Muslims living in the South, that they will continue to live in peace with their neighbours from other religions and not side with Islamist extremists who are in the minority also, that they may know Jesus, the way, the truth and the life.
  • Pray that religious leaders may preach love, peace, cooperation and justice and that Islamic clerics who preach hate instigate their poor uneducated followers to fight, destroy properties and kill at the slightest provocation, may be silenced.
    Also, pray for zealous Christian youth, specifically that they should not to retaliate
    or say things that could be interpreted as insulting to any religion or prophet, but to preach Christ crucified.

 

Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Owo Church Attack Scene
  • Pray that the Almighty God would expose and deal with all the evil people who are sponsoring Boko Haram and other Islamist Militants so as to bring to an end the burning of Churches, the killing and maiming of Christians, the burning of Christian villages and homes, the sexual violence against Christian women as well as the abduction and forced marriages of Christian girls which effectively turns them into sex slaves.
  • Pray that the Almighty God would expose and deal with all the evil people who are sponsoring the Fulani Herdsmen who are killing the Christians, especially farmers, destroying their farmlands, and burning down their Churches and homes in the North and the middle belt of Nigeria.
  • Pray that steps are taken so that this does not result in food shortages and that supernaturally, the Church members may become spiritually stronger as a result.
  • Pray against the abductions of church leaders in the North and South of the country that the enemies’ schemes in this regard may be supernaturally thwarted.
  • Pray for all affected Christians that they may receive the comfort of God’s Holy Spirit as many are bereaved, some having lost all their family members, many are traumatised by the things that they have seen and the evil that has been done to them, many have become disabled, homeless or displaced and therefore not able to do the work they would normally do.
  • Pray for the many Christians who have been traumatised and who are grieving the sudden loss of loved ones, so that they may be able to receive emotional healing through the word of God and trauma or psychological counselling.
  • Pray that Christians who are being severely tested, facing intense and unrelenting persecution, may be enabled by the grace of God, to stand firm and become even more deeply rooted in Christ, being emboldened by God’s Spirit to continue their witness.
  • Pray that Christians in the North who have been enduring persecution for so long, should be empowered by the Holy Spirit and not give up, but keep trusting God for grace and spiritual strength to carry on fighting the good fight of faith.
  • Pray for Christian Churches in the South of the country that they should not be in ignorance or in denial about the degree of suffering of Christians in the North, but feel their pain and take tangible steps to alleviate their suffering urgently, especially as Churches in the South are now being attacked.
  • Pray for unity among persecuted Christians, that they may love and pray for one another, comforting one another with the comfort they have themselves received from the Holy Spirit, reaching out in love to support those who are weaker and more vulnerable than themselves.
  • Pray for the bereaved families of the martyrs and those who have become disabled as a result of terrorism, that they may be able to get the financial assistance they need and that the shed blood of the martyrs may lead to nationwide revival.
  • For the grieving families of those who have been abducted that they may be comforted and that they may be assisted to secure the release of their loved ones. Also pray that young female abductees who manage to escape with their babies, may not be rejected by their communities, but rather that these children of terrorist fathers may become preachers of the gospel that their fathers fought against.
  • Pray for the thousands of Christian orphans who have become impoverished and are no longer able to go to school either for lack of finances or due to the threat of abduction, that a way may be provided for them to continue their education.
  • Pray that God will keep providing for persecuted Christians, who have had to flee their homes, farms and businesses and are now living in Internally Displaced Peoples’ camps often without food, water, adequate shelter, schools, jobs etc. Pray for their spiritual and physical well-being and the provision of their needs.
  • Pray that by God’s grace, persecuted Christians will not be discouraged or give up because of the insecurity and economic challenges they face daily. Also, they will not backslide or seek traditional means of protecting themselves, but rather walk even more closely with their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
  • Pray for human and financial resources required by all the Nigerian Christian
    charities and organisations involved in providing food, water and other essential things for internally displaced Christians, to be able to access the necessary resources to continue their work.
  • Pray for persecuted Christians to continue to grow in the knowledge of Christ and to have opportunities and resources to continue to preach the Gospel in the midst of insecurity and other challenges. Pray that God will help them to overcome by the blood of Jesus and by His holy word.

 

Security in Nigeria

  • Thank God for the relative peace and security here in the UK. Pray for peace and security in our beloved country Nigeria, so that the gospel will not be hindered, but will be rapidly spread in both rural and urban areas, both by missionaries and by ordinary Christians who have been forced to flee their villages and homes.
  • Pray against the principalities and powers responsible for stirring up persecution against the Christian Church in Northern Nigeria.
  • Pray that international Christian organisations as well as advocacy organisations led by Nigerian Christians will continue to advocate for persecuted Christians in Northern Nigeria and that they will succeed in getting the UK government to require the Nigerian Government to fulfil its principal function which is to protect the lives and properties of all its citizens.
  • Pray against the misinformation and lies that some Nigerian leaders are spreading that farmers and Fulani herdsmen are clashing as a result of the effects of climate change and there is no persecution of Christians involved.
  • Pray that the truth will not only be known but that swift action to support those who are being persecuted will be enacted.
  • Pray that Christians abroad, confessing our wrongdoings and complacency may be stirred up by God’s holy Spirit, to make supplications, prayers and intercessions for all those in authority in Nigeria including the traditional rulers, that they may come to the knowledge of the truth that is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Pray that the Nigerian Christians in the UK may realise the need to urgently respond to the needs of persecuted Christians in Nigeria in order to play their part in enabling the Church in Northern Nigeria to stand strong in the face of intense persecution.
  • Pray that Christians in the UK may help to raise awareness of the situation in Northern Nigeria as it appears that the Nigerian media is largely silent on this issue in the South of the country also, that Christians in the South may know how to respond in ways that will help the spread of the gospel, in faith and not in fear.
  • Pray that God will burden the hearts of Christians in the UK to pray earnestly for an end to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, for the resettlement of those who have had to flee their villages and homes in safer areas, for the release of those who have been abducted and for the rehabilitation of those who have been disabled as a result of terrorist attacks.
  • Pray that God raises helpers who will partner with Christian groups in Nigeria to raise the much-needed finances for those who have been adversely affected by the ongoing persecution and discrimination against Christian believers in the North.
  • Pray Christians in the UK who are seeking to assist persecuted Christians in Nigeria may work collaboratively with authentic Christian leaders in Nigeria so that the humanitarian relief and other assistance provided will match the specific needs of the brethren.
  • Pray for a unity of purpose among Nigerian Christians in the UK, that they may follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in how they respond individually or corporately, and that whatever they do may be sustained and accomplished through prevailing prayer.
  • Pray that Nigerian Christians in this country may not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes, but have the spiritual maturity to organise themselves and work collaboratively, effectively and efficiently to meet the spiritual and physical needs of Christians at home in Nigeria. Help us to feel their pain and to act urgently as directed by the Holy Spirit.
  • Pray that as we help our persecuted brethren, God will also prepare us for the trials and tribulations that we are currently facing or are yet to face here in the UK so that we will not faint on the day of adversity.
  • Pray for individual Church leaders and Christians that you know in Nigeria, that the Father will sustain them, the Holy Spirit inspire them and Saviour’s love enable them not to be weary in well doing, but to continue to preach the gospel, baptising and discipling new converts as well as those who have known the Lord for a long time.
  • Pray for Muslims in this country and in Nigeria, many of whom are ordinary people who genuinely want to know God, so that they may come to the knowledge of the truth. Pray especially for Muslim women and girls who often live under oppressive conditions.
  • Pray that Christians in the UK, having been awakened to the reality and intensity of the persecution of their brothers and sisters may not grow weary of praying, advocating and supporting persecuted Christians in Nigeria.