My name is Bosun Emmanuel. I am appealing to you to kindly read this short article. Thank you.

I wish to commiserate with every Nigerian Christian on the various calamities befalling us in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that we have to experience this distress, but it was avoidable. Over the years, we Nigerian Christians have been unable to unite and harness our enormous potentials for the Common Good of all. However, it is better late than never that we embark on remedial actions. The consequence of maintaining the current attitude of disunity and indifference is eradication of Christianity, our culture, our ethnic identity, and the annihilation of our lives. Therefore, we have no option but to commence building structures to engage those determined to destroy us.

On Sunday we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, but peace is missing in so many places. Central African Republic is experiencing armed clashes between Muslims and Christians. Democratic Republic of Congo is warring against rebel groups. Egypt is has militant branches of Islamic State. Libya still has an ongoing civil war. Mali citizens are burdened with clashes between army and rebel groups. Mozambique is contending with RENAMO rebels. Nigeria is battling militants. Somalia is struggling against al-Shabaab. South Sudan is suffering continual atrocities between opposing groups. Praying into so many situations can be overwhelming, but this Christmas perhaps we could offer our imaginations to the Prince of Peace and have our thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit. Let us paint a prayer based on ‘What would it look like if God touched this place, this situation, this nation, with His glorious colours of salvation and restoration?’ Let this Holy Spirit-inspired image fuel our prayers for 2017.

Pray: for the Holy Spirit to give us renewed, inspired prayers that usher in winds of change in 2017. (Jn.14:26)

A Ugandan pastor, severely injured by Islamic opponents of his faith, made an appeal for British Christians to help their persecuted brothers across the world. Umar Mulinde was badly burned by an acid attack outside his church. During a brief tour of the UK he spoke out - a challenge which coincided with reports of an assassination attempt on Baroness Caroline Cox in Nigeria by Fulani Islamic militants. Baroness Cox, a committed Christian, is a religious freedom campaigner and cross-bench member of the House of Lords. Umar’s plea also comes amid ongoing violence against Christians in Uganda. He warned, ‘Even in the UK, former Muslims who have converted to Christianity are not safe.’ He mentioned Nissar Hussain whose family had to be moved under police protection following years of harassment. ‘No country can say they are safe. It’s a matter of time. This is not prophecy; it’s reality. The UK is sitting on a time-bomb.’

Pray: for the Church in the west to address global persecution of Christians more aggressively. (1Cor.12.26)
More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/ugandan-acid-attack-victim-challenges-uk-church-over-christian-persecution/

The UN has reported that 75,000 thousand children are at risk of dying of hunger and fourteen million people are in need of humanitarian aid in north-east Nigeria, as it deals with the aftermath of Boko Haram violence. Pray that they will receive all the aid they need to recover and resettle. A trauma care centre is being constructed by Open Doors in northern Nigeria to support Christians who have suffered religiously-motivated violence or abuse at the hands of Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen. Pray for Open Doors and other organisations to receive adequate funding so that they can fulfil their objectives. Violence continues with a recent spate of attacks on five Christian villages in the Kauru local government area. Most of the fatalities were women, children and the elderly, who could not escape the Fulani herdsmen’s gunfire. 120 houses, including eight house-churches, were burnt down.

Pray: for Nigerian Christians who were displaced by Boko Haram but are now beginning to return home as territory is being won back from insurgents. May they prosper and thrive in the future.
More: https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/search/?q=Nigeria&k=1

Thirty-two African heads of state are debating ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ at the UN. Some major concerns are: Chad - continues to fight Boko Haram. Malawi - respect for basic human rights as they open doors to refugees from neighbouring countries. Also millions need food assistance due to climate change. Tunisia - promoting security and human rights but needs support to improve its economy, emphasising Tunisia’s commitment to build a prosperous, united Africa. South Africa - developmental progress in line with the African Union’s agenda, also called for inclusive growth where countries put global interests ahead of national ones. Nigeria - anti-corruption stance and effects of the global downturn on the country, also pointed out that climate change effects are threatening livelihoods of 30 million people. Uganda - preventing discrimination based on religion, gender and political orientation. Ghana - Africa does not need sympathy or overseas aid, it needs a fair chance to trade with the rest of the world and amongst ourselves.

Pray: for developed and underdeveloped countries as they implement development goals. (Php.3:14)
More: www.africanews.com/2016/09/21/highlights-what-are-african-leaders-saying-at-the-un-general-assembly-day-1/

  1. Global famine report - 30 August 2016
  2. Nigeria: only weeks left for Boko Haram?
  3. Nigeria: a weight-lifter’s extra problems
  4. Nigeria: Ethnic cleansing in the south

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