A Prayer for Nigeria

Over two weeks ago, we as nation celebrated our 58^th independence. From the general feeling of people, it was clear that a lot of Nigerians are not happy with where we are as a nation. Rather than the celebration of a milestone, it was just another 1^st October. In the words of a transporter “(sighs) Nigeria no go ever good”, but then who is Nigeria?  

A while back, I attended an event themed Port Harcourt Prayer Walk. It got me reflecting on what it really means to pray for our country? Is it something we just do for doing sake [a passive act] or one of deliberate commitment? This brings to mind another very important point, when we talk about Nigeria, who are we talking about, some group of people somewhere or ourselves?  

Very few people say good things about Nigeria. Most people are comfortable to lash out and say bad things, rain insults on our leaders, place curses - e no go better for naija - worse things have been said, and make all sorts of indecent comments about our dear country. This adds to the existing weight of underdevelopment and failures that have troubled Nigeria over the years.

It has been proven/It is true that in various aspects of life that negative comments produce negative results. For example, regularly making negative comments - no matter how well intentioned - can shape the behaviour and how children feel about themselves, it breaks their spirit, it affects them as they go on in life. Imagine the effects of our words on the spirit of our nation. The tongue can truly bring death or life, we can’t take back the things we say, but we can say something better.

Has Nigeria failed us? Yes it has! Are we the best we can be right now? No we’re not. Can we be better? Of course we can. We will. A better Nigeria begins with a better you.

So who really is Nigeria? Nigeria is a person. Yes Nigeria is a person and that person is you. Your pain is the pain of Nigeria, your challenges are the challenges of Nigeria, your well-being is the well-being of Nigeria, your success is the success of Nigeria, you are Nigeria and Nigeria is you.

We can begin to say something better by saying a prayer for Nigeria. It can be little but it has to be deliberate. When you pray for Nigeria, you pray for you, why not say a prayer today.

Dear God,

Thank You for our country Nigeria

Thank You I’m Nigerian

Thank You for the peace and prosperity we have enjoyed

Thank You for the blessed land beneath our feet

Thank You for taking us from strength to strength

Thank You for taking us from glory to glory.

O land of Nigeria

Arise from your slumber

Arise from your poverty and pain

Rise to your potential, to your possessions

Rise to greatness.

God please heal Nigeria, heal our land.