Nigeria

Pray for Africa

Prayer Points

  • For the dismantling of widespread corruption in Nigeria.
  • For the hundreds of children kidnapped by terrorists.
  • That leaders, kings and politicians will rule with Godly wisdom and in righteousness.
  • That Christian teachers and student leaders may be encouraged and strengthened as they are being witnesses.
  • For an emphasis on discipleship and balanced Bible teaching in the Nigerian church.
  • For persecuted Christians in the Northern states.
  • For God’s forgiveness to those who are responsible for bloodshed and political violence.

LOCATION:
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon

POPULATION:
191 835 936 (2017 est.)

RELIGION:
Muslim 50%

Christian 40%

Indigenous beliefs 10%

INTERNET USERS:
93 591 174 9 (2017)

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:
13,9%  (2016)

MISSIONARIES:
Sent 3700; Received 6000

LEAST REACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
95

KEY CITY

Abuja

Population of city:

590 400

Urbanization Rate:

4.66% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Majority religion in city:

Muslim

We Pray...

Lord, we pray for the dismantling of widespread corruption in Nigeria which cripples all levels of society – especially the government and including the church. We pray that the fear of the Lord will be among the leaders, kings and politicians so that they will rule with wisdom and in righteousness.

We pray, Father, that Christian teachers, advisers and student leaders may be encouraged and strengthened as they are being witnesses in Nigeria.

We also pray for an emphasis on discipleship and balanced Bible teaching in the Nigerian church, which continues to experience massive growth but whose teaching is often syncretistic and prosperity-based. May Your church be restored in unity and love.

Father, we bring before You, the increasingly persecuted Christians in Northern states. Holy Spirit, please empower your people to be characterized by supernatural love and forgiveness.

We ask for Your forgiveness over those who are responsible for bloodshed and political violence in Nigeria. Forgive them, Lord, and reveal Yourself to them. We are especially praying for the many children kidnapped by terrorists in Nigeria. Father we pray that Your hand will be over those children and their families. Please protect, encourage and strengthen them and allow them to be united with one another soon.

Lord, righteousness and justice are the foundations of Your throne, so we ask that You will deal with the injustice and bring healing to the land.  Father, we pray that You will restore peace in Nigeria and that Your compassion will be imprinted on the hearts of the people of Nigeria. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

State of the Church

Nigeria has, for many years, been home to a thriving and growing Church. However, persecution started to occur when the northern ruling elite gave referential treatment to Muslims and discriminated against Christians. In recent years, the scale of persecution of Christians by Muslims has accelerated rapidly, violent attacks are on the increase, and little has been done by the government to stem the rise of extremist Islamist groups. Riots, attacks, bombings and church fires have claimed hundreds of Christian victims and left the Nigerian Church reeling.

Church leaders have decried the Nigerian government's failure to protect Christians from attacks and claim that Muslim politicians were sponsoring young people – members of Boko Haram – to do the killings. Internal conflict exists within the Nigerian Church, with some members calling for resistance and revenge against their attackers and others calling for peace, forgiveness and enduring tolerance of the persecution.

Overview

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world. In 2005, together with Egypt, Nigeria was identified as one of the two African "Next Eleven" economies - countries that have the potential to become leading economies in the 21st century.

Nigeria is officially a secular state, with a constitution that allows for freedom of religion. However, unofficial lines have been drawn within the country along the Islam-Christian divide. Muslim citizens are the clear majority in the north, while the population in the south-eastern regions is predominantly Christian (together with widespread traditional beliefs). Since 1999, Muslim state leaders have imposed Sharia law in 12 northern states and parts of four others. Conflict between Muslims and Christians has escalated over the past few years.

In 2011, Muslim terrorist group Boko Haram openly stated that they want to eradicate Christianity from the North and govern it entirely under Sharia law. Boko Haram, whose name is translated to mean “Western education is forbidden,” wants Islamic Sharia law to be imposed across the whole of Nigeria.

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