What Do YOU DO When Your Country is in Crisis?
My words might stir up disagreement and even anger, but they need to be said anyway…
At this point, no one should be ignorant of what is going on in Nigeria. Even people like me who tend to live under a rock must have, in one way or another, come across the information. So, we all know about the conflict brewing in the nation, but what are we to do about it?
Many are quick to air their opinion about what they believe Nigerians need to do to tackle this problem.
In my circle, the prevalent idea is to pray. And honestly, when I too heard about what is going on, my first response to those who lamented at the situation was to ask, “Have you prayed about it?”
As Christians, I believe that amongst everything that we are to do in this moment of crisis, the one thing that must be at the forefront is praise.
It is difficult to imagine how praise would be appropriate after the incident that happened where over 50 people lost their lives. You can even say that it is insensitive to think to suggest that we praise in a moment like this.
But hear me out…
We are passionate people. We hate as passionately as we love, and the general inclination of anyone who is a believer right now is to pray for the judgment of God. Like the sons of Thunder, we go to God in prayer and ask Jesus to rain fire on the people responsible for the brutal killings.
Those who pray now for Nigeria would probably focus their efforts on praying out the wicked in power.
So, what is the right thing to do now?
In the Bible, in II Chronicles chapter 20, we find the story of how Israel was surrounded by her enemies who, without provocation, rose to fight against them.
The king moved the nation to pray to God for deliverance, and God responded by showing him the divine strategy for the approaching conflict.
My concern is that many people praying for Nigeria right now might not be praying with the right mind. And it is pointless praying if we do so without understanding.
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:14)
If we want God to answer our prayer, we must remember the Lord’s Prayer:
[the Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13]
..Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever.
AMEN!
When we come to God in prayer with the right attitude, we will be in a prime position to receive the right strategy to resolve this conflict.
And when we then confront the enemies, it is with praise (to God) on our lips that we will gain victory. The Lord will thunder from heaven and send an ambush into the enemy’s camp.
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I think this speaks a lot of truth, also very relatable and has pointed me to the right direction once more on how to approach this matter. Thank you very much sir.
I thank God for the eye opener (even for me too). We all need to lean on the truth in these times.
It’s an eye opener and also a reminder because this is something we know but the tension and fear has shifted our our mind from the Truth. Thank you for this.
Very True. At times it is difficult to practice the truth we know when it matters most.
This is a very wise counsel. If we can obey God and love our neighbors, all will live in peace. Forgiveness is a virtue and not a sign of weakness. Prayer is the key to all man’s problems. Thank you for showing us what to do in times of crisis.
Thank you for your comment sir. May God’s grace be abundant in us all.