An Open Letter To The Christian Association Of Nigeria By Adeboye Adebayo

A CALL FOR NATIONAL REPENTANCE, REVIVAL AND INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR NIGERIA

_Dear President and Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),_

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I write as a concerned Nigerian Christian who shares the deep pain, anxiety and burden that millions of our citizens feel daily as insecurity, kidnappings, terrorism, banditry, killings and other forms of criminality continue to challenge our nation.

Across our country, families live in fear. Communities are attacked. Schools are no longer entirely safe. Churches and worshippers have become targets. Farmers abandon their farms. Many citizens have lost loved ones, livelihoods and hope.

While we acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government, State Governments, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, Amotekun Corps, Neighbourhood Watch, local vigilantes, local security networks and other security personnel who put their lives on the line daily to protect Nigerians, it has become evident that this battle requires more than human effort alone. The Church must rise.

The Christian Association of Nigeria occupies a unique position as the umbrella body of Christians in our nation. At this critical moment, CAN must provide spiritual leadership by coordinating a nationwide movement of repentance, revival and fervent intercessory prayers for Nigeria.

The Scriptures remind us that spiritual conditions often affect national outcomes.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God declared: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

This divine promise remains relevant today. Before we ask God to heal Nigeria, we must first examine ourselves. The Church must lead the nation in repentance from sin, corruption, immorality, injustice, greed, hatred, falsehood, bitterness and every form of wickedness that grieves the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 66:18 warns: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

Likewise, Isaiah 59:1-2 states:
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God.”

Therefore, national prayer must be accompanied by genuine repentance and a return to righteousness.

Throughout Scripture, God responded when His people cried unto Him. When Judah faced overwhelming military threats, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a national fast and prayer gathering. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 20, God intervened and granted victory without Judah having to fight the battle themselves.

When the people of Nineveh repented under the preaching of Jonah, God showed mercy and withheld judgment. When Queen Esther called for fasting and prayer, God delivered the Jewish nation from destruction.

When Peter was imprisoned, the Church prayed fervently and God sent an angel to release him.

The Bible is filled with examples of prophets and righteous men standing in the gap for nations.
Moses interceded for Israel and God’s judgment was restrained.
Samuel prayed for Israel during national crisis. Daniel confessed the sins of his nation and sought God’s mercy. Elijah prayed and heaven responded.

Ezekiel 22:30 records God’s lament: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land.”

Today, Nigeria needs men and women who will stand in the gap.

I therefore respectfully call on CAN to genuinely:

1. Declare a National Week of Genuine Prayer and Fasting for Nigeria.

2. Mobilize all churches across the federation for coordinated intercession against insecurity, terrorism, kidnapping and bloodshed.

3. Encourage Christians to repent and return to holy living.

4. Organize revival meetings focused on spiritual awakening and national transformation.

5. Encourage continuous prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, legislators, judges, military commanders, police officers and all security personnel.

6. Develop prayer networks that unite Christians across denominational lines.

7. Teach believers their biblical responsibility to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world according to Matthew 5:13-16.

The Church must not limit itself to issuing press statements and holding conferences. While public advocacy has its place, there are battles that require knees bent in prayer before God.

The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Nigeria needs divine intervention.

The bloodshed must stop.

The kidnappings must stop.

The fear must stop.
The Church must arise.

May CAN lead this generation of believers into a fresh season of repentance, revival and intercession so that God may once again show mercy to our nation and establish peace within our borders.

May God bless Nigeria.

Signed,

_Comrade Adeboye Adebayo; a Concerned Christian, Public Affairs Analyst and Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Writes From Abuja_