By Henry Oladele
Rev. Hezekiah Duro-Aina, Senior Pastor of the Conquerors Assembly, Lagos, has urged Nigerians to pray for President Bola Tinubu and other leaders rather than condemn them.
Duro-Aina made the call during the church’s Sunday service and intercession for the country.
He said that such an intercession was vital for national peace and stability.
The cleric said that Nigeria’s security and economic challenges required fervent prayers, warning against wishing evil upon the country or its leaders.
According to him, Nigerians should focus less on criticisms and more on seeking divine intervention for the country and those entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“To condemn is easy. The person in that position of authority faces enormous challenges and needs God’s wisdom and intervention,” he said.
He said that although many Nigerians were dissatisfied with the state of the nation, christians had a responsibility to stand in the gap for the country.
“Nigeria will never be destroyed if believers rise to intercede for the nation. Pray for God’s intervention,” he said.
Duro-Aina cited 2 Chronicles 7:14 in the Bible, saying that national healing would come if God’s people would humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways and seek divine mercy.
He attributed many of the nation’s problems to moral decay, saying that corruption was not limited to those in positions of authority.
“We blame the government, but many Nigerians are corrupt, even in the church. It is time to examine ourselves and begin to pray for the nation,” he said.
On consecration, the cleric said that genuine christians must continually seek cleansing and purification of their hearts to maintain intimacy with God.
Quoting Psalm 51:10, he said that Christians should regularly ask God to create in them a clean heart and renew a right spirit within them.
According to him, many unanswered prayers and spiritual struggles are traceable to the failure of christians to embrace daily consecration and holiness.
He warned christians against compromising their faith in business dealings and everyday life, saying that they should uphold integrity and avoid falsehood.
Duro-Aina emphasised the importance of worshipping God, describing it as a spiritual dimension which would enable Christians to rise above doubts and experience divine intervention.
According to him, God answers prayers of his genuine worshippers even before they call on Him.
The cleric encouraged Christians to develop the habit of interceding for others, saying that prayers focused solely on personal needs would limit spiritual growth.
