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Have You Prayed for Nigeria Today?

Sometime this year, I wrote an article where I explained how I stopped praying for Nigeria and our leaders long ago. I also added that I always sit down in Church if such prayer points are raised whenever I find my way inside the gathering of brethren. However, the events happening in our country recently calls for sober reflection amongst every well meaning Nigerian citizen.
That our political leaders are inept and corrupt is stating the obvious. That the leadership of our nation is clueless is no longer a secret. That there has been no significant improvement in the lives of vast average Nigerians since the advent of democracy is an open secret. But more disturbingly is this fact: that there has been no leader of this Nation who has been openly castigated, ridiculed, attacked, opposed than our present president is a truth that needs no proof.
Thus, it is clear to any discerning mind that this country is gradually descending into anarchy, lawlessness and imminent political showdown if serious caution and prayers are not factored in.
A United States Security Report in 2008, or thereabout, predicted that Nigeria will break by 2015. We can dismiss this report for all we care. But is it not becoming obvious that the possibility of this assertion coming true is now 65-35? Any good student of Nigerian history will rightly tell you that all these political brouhaha, civil unrest and loss of hope on the seat government were flashes that manifested in Nigeria from 1964 until it boomeranged to a military coup in 1966 and subsequently to a civil war in 1967. Please, we should not delude ourselves that all the present killings in the North, power struggle in Abuja and ethnic war of words cannot lead to something inimical for us as a nation. History has proven that Nigeria is travelling on a path it has travelled before and a US security report has affirmed that fact.
So, what then are we waiting for, for history to repeat itself?
Esiaba Irobi will say: whenever history repeats itself, the prize always doubles.
The late sage and frontline nationalist, Nnamdi Azikiwe, once affirmed: “When two incompatible meet, they co-exist by agreeing to agree on some certain issues and agree to disagree on another”. But it’s obvious that all the incompatible elements in Nigeria now, have refused to co-exist, agree to agree or even agree to disagree. They are all spoiling for war, heating up the polity with inciting statements and clandestinely beefing up their war chests for a showdown, if the pendulum does not swing in their favour.
We ordinary Nigerians should always have it at the back of our minds that, when two elephants fight the grasses will always bear the brunt. During the Biafran war, it was millions of Biafran babies that bore the major brunt of that brutal war. While the belligerents and most matured men that shouted "Biafran or nothing, One Nigeria or nothing" came out of the war unscathed.
What then is our duty in our present dilemma? What else than the asset of every powerless mortal, PRAYER.
We are urged in 1 Timothy 2 verse 1-2: ”First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, request, and thanksgiving be offered to GOD for all people, FOR KINGS and ALL OTHERS IN AUTHORITY, that we might live a quiet and peaceful life…”
Therefore, I enjoin all Nigerians both home and abroad to spare a few seconds right now and commit our leaders into the hands of GOD. Nigeria is our only country, whether it is good or bad, it is ours. We might not have the power to pacify the politicians but through our sincere prayers, GOD can make them sheath their sword. The heart of Kings and Princes are in the hands of GOD, says the Holy writ.
I beg all Nigerians, no matter the side of the divide you belong, no matter your political party, ethnic affiliation, religious disposition, let’s spare few seconds daily and pray for peace in our country. I have read so much about the gory Nigerian Civil war, trust me, war is not something I can wish for my enemy. The events in Syria, Egypt and other bellicose nations should not re-enact in Nigeria. No one single Nigeria is worth dying to gratify the quest of our politicians. Life is priceless and simply irreplaceable. I stopped praying for Nigeria long ago, but I have just started, because I have realized I do not have a private jet to escape if push eventually comes to shove.
Please, whoever knows any of these political dramatists, tell them that two wrongs cannot make a right but at best can only make a fight. Tell them if they truly love Nigeria so much, they should sacrifice their ambitions for peace sake.
Whoever knows conveners of SNG, tell them not to organize any protest whatsoever, the country is already fragile and volatile, let’s not give room to the enemy through protests.
Whoever knows ASUU leaders, please tell them to sheathe their sword, he who fights and run away, lives to fight another day. We Nigerians know they are right and the FG is wrong.
Let’s remember this: the fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. Nigeria will not break and even it if it will, let it be in peace and not pieces! No country has ever survived two civil wars, they say.
Shalom

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Written by 
Tobe Osigwe
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