Nigeria’s current leadership is not different from the Biblical reign of King Rehoboam
By Valentine Amanze
(05-09-2024)
I love Catholic Church; and I also hail other churches. The Catholic Church has not failed my expectation of caring for, not only the members, but the nation through its social, political and spiritual programmes.
Born in, and still a Catholic, I doff my cap for the leadership of the church in Nigeria. Its welfare programmes via associations within are second to none.
Catholic Church amazes me when it identifies and suggests to the government solution to societal problems and backup such with prayers.
Far back as June 27, 1993, Catholic Bishops in Nigeria noted the hardship the country’s leadership was unleashing on citizens and sought devine intervension via a special prayer, “Prayer for Nigeria in distress.”
Prayer for Nigeria in Distress
“All powerful and merciful Father, You are a God of justice love and peace.
“You rule over all the nations of the earth. Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.
“We present our country Nigeria before you. We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.
“We are sorry for all the sins we have committed and for the good deeds we have failed to do.
“In your loving forgiveness keep us safe from the punishment we deserve. Lord we are weighed down not only by uncertainties but also by moral, economic and political problems. Listen to the cries of Your people who confidently turn to You.
“God of infinite goodness; our strength in adversity, our health in weakness, our comfort in sorrow. Be merciful to us your people; spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.
“Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
A wonderful prayer that captures the current state of the nation.
The prayer was said in every mass and everytime.
Also read: Tinubu: Failure of propaganda, deceit
The stoppage of the prayer in Catholic churches is strange to me.
When the prayer was going on the cost of living was manageable; no bandits, killer herdsmen, kidnapers and Boko Haram.
Nigeria is now in real distress, with beggers all over the nation; as parents could nolonger pay rent and school fees. A bag of rice goes for N95, 000; a litre of petrol (pms) is now N1, 500, depending on the part of the country you are. Outside Lagos, it is worse.
Not that the prayer for Nigeria is nolonger effective, but the targeted leadership then had human face and was voted into power by the people.
Today, the case is different. The person, who bought his office, is not accountable to you.
I feel bad seeing Nigerians, who, lawfully, protested against bad governance, are being charged for treason, while killers and criminals – bandits Boko Haram – are granted amnesty and rehabilitated.
What a nation!
Also read: Dangote’s battle for survival in the midst of oil cabal
Nigeria’s current leadership is not different from the Biblical reign of King Rehoboam.
King Rehoboam was King Solomon’s son and successor as the king of Judah, ruling for 17 years from 931 to 913 BC.
His reign is notorious for the unfortunate decision that led to the division of the United Kingdom of Israel into the Northern and Southern kingdoms.
Rehoboam’s harsh response to the Northern tribes’ plea for lighter taxes and labour —advised by his younger counselors to impose even harsher conditions —prompted a rebellion.
Jeroboam, a former official under Solomon, led the rebellion. It resulted in 10 tribes breaking away to form the northern kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam’s rule, leaving Rehoboam with only Judah and a small part of Benjamin.
The President Bola Tinubu-led administration, just like Rahoboam, has polarized Nigeria with hardship, tribalism and intimidation.
Never in history have Nigerians suffered such hardship and redicule. What they want is not what they get from the government.
They cried for reduction in pump price of petrol, they receive increase and the profitdriven Dangote products.
I plead with the Catholic Bishops to reintroduce their powerful prayer for Nigeria in distress, and even send it to other denominations including Muslims.
My prayer is, ‘let the current hardship unify Nigerians rather than disintegrate them.’ The real time for the prayers is now. The Pharaoh has refused the Israelites to go. But when the children of God prayed and sang the wall of Jericho fell flat.
Goodluck Nigeria.
……………………..
For more interesting stories click: nigerianewsflight.com.ng
