A personal reflection from Victor Odunjo
Beloved,
Our GOD is mysterious. He decided to give us what we wanted. He gave us (as a nation) our heart desire. Lest we should ever turn around,like the Israelites, and say "If only BUHARI were our President".
Eru Olorun ba mi.( I stand in awe of God). He would rather give us Buhari, our heart desire, than allow a bloodbath that could greet a Jonathan re-election. The 2011 election was not this keenly contested, see how many lives were lost.
Nothing really has changed. My only prayer now is for Buhari to prove me wrong. But Let us continue to be alert and watch unto prayer.
News
A respondent shared the following scriptures following the election outcome:
1 Samuel 8: 4-7
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
1 Samuel 10: 23-25
23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
Psalm 81: 11-16
11 ... But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
13. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!...
14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
15. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him:but their time should have endured for ever.
16. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat:and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
Muhammad Buhari wants to replace the current Christian President of Nigeria. Buhari has said in the past, ‘Sharia should be introduced across Nigeria. I will continue to show openly and inside me total commitment to the Sharia movement. God willing, we will not stop agitating for total implementation of the Sharia in Nigeria. God has given us a legal responsibility to continue to uphold the practice of Sharia wholeheartedly and educate non-Muslims that they have nothing to fear. What remains for Muslims in Nigeria is for them to redouble their efforts, educate Muslims on the need to promote the full implementation of Sharia law.’ Buhari’s comments were interpreted as a call for the imposition of Sharia even in the mainly Christian south. Also in the run-up to federal elections Nigerian journalists have been attacked and beaten at political rallies, and fear attack from militants. See:
Pray: for peace in Nigeria’s election season that finishes on 11 April and for Mr Jonathan to repeat his 2011 presidential election result (22 million votes against his major rival's 12 million). (Ps.109:21)
More: http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/buhari-calls-total-sharia-nigeria/
As Boko Haram brings death and destruction to Nigeria, a radio ministry is reporting miraculous testimonies of salvation and protection in the midst of terror. The Tide radio talks about Jesus in the language they were born to speak. One Muslim listener heard a programme in the Hausa language, the official language of Islam in Nigeria. Although a believer in Jihad, he was challenged by the message of hope and peace that only Christ can offer. He responded to the Gospel message, called the number at the end of the programme and is now a follower of Christ. Another listener said, ‘I’m a Nigerian soldier with the 15th armoured brigade in the war against Boko Haram and listen to your radio programme. Thanks for your prayers. God has kept me alive. By God’s grace Boko Haram will be defeated and the northeast border will witness the flushing out of the terrorists.’
Pray: that those opposing God in war zones would instead run to Him and accept His offer of salvation and reconciliation. Ask God to remove the principality behind terrorism in Nigeria. (Eph.6:12)
The Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram released a video on Monday showing militants beheading two men. It’s their first online posting using the advanced graphics and editing techniques associated with IS. Past Boko Haram films have been cruder, often featuring a man identified as the leader Abubakar Shekau discussing local gripes. The latest one preaches ‘global jihad.’ The footage will stoke concerns that Boko Haram, which evolved out of a clerical movement focused on north-east Nigeria, is expanding its scope and seeking inspiration from global militant networks including al-Qaida and IS. Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, said ‘Boko Haram is allied to both al-Qaida and IS’, though it has not been confirmed by the militants who have killed thousands and kidnapped hundreds in a drive to carve out an Islamist state in Nigeria.
Pray: against the spread of terror in Nigeria, and the cross-border raids into Cameroon, Chad and Niger. (Ps.3:7)
More: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/03/boko-haram-beheadings-video-isis
Nigeria’s Election commission chief delayed Nigeria's election until 28 March because no troops were available to protect voters. All available military personnel are fighting against Boko Haram in north-east Nigeria. The opposition described the delay as a ‘setback for Nigerian democracy’. Police in Abuja and other cities are on the alert for unrest. The delay is highly contentious and will be seen by many as foul play. What is not clear at this stage is whether it will favour President Goodluck Jonathan or his rival, Muhammadu Buhari. It is unlikely that the conflict will be brought to an end within the next few weeks, so will the election be held at all? That may depend on whether some powerful personalities feel President Jonathan is well placed for a victory. Please pray for Nigerian police providing security. Pray against violent demonstrations due to the postponement. Pray for a breakthrough in the war against Boko Haram.
Pray: for a new Nigeria in 2015, for peace to flow across the nation and, for God to comfort those carrying war wounds spiritually, emotionally and physically. (Is.66:8-13)
Boko Haram and other militants have stepped up attacks in the run-up to Nigeria’s election on 14 Feb. On Monday a suicide bomber killed one bystander and injured 18, just minutes after the President left a campaign rally in the north. He addressed the rally after two blasts killed five people the previous day at the same location. Last week the African Union backed plans for a 7,500-strong regional fighting force to be deployed against Boko Haram. However Boko Haram is not the only challenge to Nigeria’s future. Explosions also ripped through court buildings in three towns in oil-rich southern Nigeria in coordinated attacks. Boko Haram is not known to be active in the oil-producing region, but there are militants there who are living in poverty and demanding a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth who have carried out attacks in the past For INSIGHTS into key influences on Nigeria’s most momentous election since 1999 click the 'More' button:
Pray: that violence and fear of violence will not prevent people voting in this tightly contested election.
More: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=556&Itemid=93
Monsignor Oliver Dashe Doeme, Cotholic, Bishop of Maiduguri said, ‘We find ourselves in a very dangerous and difficult moment. We risk seeing Boko Haram conquer the entire north-east of Nigeria before the end of the election, unless foreign troops intervene.’ Presidential elections will be held February 14th. ‘The situation is very complex and the first victims are innocent civilians.’ concluded the Bishop who implied the existence of some ‘saboteurs’ and accomplices within the Nigerian army, who favour the advance of Boko Haram for political reasons. ‘Despite the violence Christianity continues to grow. Their faith is strengthened in the face of tribulation. What is heart-breaking is the number of displaced people.Refugee camps are growing. World Watch Monitor quotes a Nigerian cleric ‘What IS has done in Iraq, Boko Haram is doing in Nigeria.’ Pray that political parties and presidential candidates with Islamic agendas for Nigeria will not be elected.
Pray: for the international community and the Nigerian government to unite and remove radical Islam. (Ex.15:3&7)
The Cameroonian Minister of Communication has stated early on Monday 12 January 2015 at around 6:30 am, the locality of Kolofata in the North Region of Cameroon, was subject to an attack of the Boko Haram terrorist group from the neighbouring country, Nigeria. The target of these murderers was certainly the military camp of Kolofata held by the Cameroonian Army. Taking advantage of a particularly cloudy weather. The assailants, who numbered hundreds made it up to the border and tried to surprise our defence forces. But immediately after they were alerted, our defence forces responsed, and fierce fighting started, lasting more than five hours near the military camp and over other strategic points of the locality. Retaking the initiative of the fighting, our forces succeeded in neutralising the attackers.'
Pray: with thanks for the success of the Cameroonian forces over the attack by militants. (Ps.7:17)
The Catholic Archbishop of Jos, in central Nigeria, has accused the West of ignoring the threat of the militant Islamist group, Boko Haram. Ignatius Kaigama said the world had to show more determination to halt the group's advance in Nigeria. He said the international community had to show the same spirit and resolve it had done after the attacks in France. His warning came after 23 people were killed by three female suicide bombers, one reported to be 10 years old. The weekend attacks come after reports that hundreds of people were killed last week during the capture by Boko Haram of the town of Baga in Borno state. The north-eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are bearing the brunt of a five-year-old insurgency by Boko Haram, which wants to revive a medieval caliphate in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and its biggest energy producer.
Pray: against the ongoing attacks by militant Islamists. (Ac.4:29)
Nigeria will hold a presidential election on 14 February and many are beginning to speculate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid and how political parties will address issues affecting Nigeria’s economy, terrorist and political challenges. In the coming weeks there will be quarrels over who is to be a delegate as well as many issues that may arise through primaries. Although a President can never solve all the problems in his country we can pray that the candidates for the next presidency will be men or women who have a heart to make positive differences to Nigeria’s future.
Pray: for God fearing politicians to be elected and positive future growth in Nigeria’s economy, education, healthcare, urban infrastructure and security. (Ps.33:8-11)
More: http://www.punchng.com/politics/insecurity-shouldnt-be-used-against-jonathans-re-election-alkali/
Kabul is protected by a fortress-like ‘ring of steel,’ with police and soldiers manning roadblocks and spot-checking vehicles, but in recent weeks suicide bombers have managed to carry out attacks metres away from the office of the city's police chief and near an international military base, They have also attacked convoys and bombed the car of a prominent female parliamentarian. The parliamentarian survived but civilian casualties were high. On Sunday 45 people were killed when a bomber detonated his explosive vest in a crowd of spectators during a volleyball game. On Tuesday in Nigeria an estimated 50 were killed when two teenage female suicide bombers detonated their devices in a busy Market in Maiduguri. Boko Haram is blamed for the deaths of 1,500+ this year in Nigeria. Last month there were five separate suicide bombings in Iraq, killing 130+. British citizen Kabir Ahmed is reported to have carried out one of these suicide bombings.
Pray: against the spread of a false twisted concept of Islam used by terrorists for Jihad. Pray for Christ to supernaturally intervene and reveal Himself to those lost in wrong beliefs for whatever reason.(Jn.8:32)
More: http://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-2-female-bombers-kill-30-maiduguri-115818326.html
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