The voice of a bishop reverberates through my mind: "The church was vibrant in Rwanda, yet the nation succumbed to a devastating civil war." This memory occupies my thoughts from an evening in 1995 during our church conference, a year after the horrific 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which resulted in the loss of millions of lives. His lamentation posed a profound question: How can a nation committed to prayer suffer such a downfall? Despite a praying and fasting church, Rwanda disintegrated like a fragile house of cards.
The scripture states, "The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire" (Nehemiah 1:3).
This bitter reality, rooted deeply in scripture, reveals a clear lesson: nations that stray from righteousness into corruption and violence, led by unworthy individuals in power, can witness even the most earnest prayers falter. This observation does not diminish the essence of prayer, which remains a cornerstone of Christian faith but highlights a biblical principle: intercession must be coupled with obedience, justice, and sound governance. Israel learned this lesson at great cost.
Reflect on Israel's request for a king in 1 Samuel 8. Despite God’s warning through Samuel that appointing a king on their terms would unleash oppressive policies and burdens, they persisted. The dire warning foretold that one day, they would cry out due to the king they had chosen, and God would not respond (1 Samuel 8:18). The lesson here is not one of abandonment by God, but rather that prayer cannot absolve disobedience or rectify poor leadership choices.
As the scripture states, "And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day" (1 Samuel 8:18, NKJV).
We often mistakenly believe any figure can be elected based on charisma, tribe, or wealth, and then rely on prayer to guide them towards righteousness. However, one might ask what kind of prayer the church would have offered had it endorsed Adolf Hitler’s rise in 1930s Germany. Would it have been, "Lord, grant him more power?" Such irony teaches us that endorsing a malevolent ruler can reinforce evil. We cannot utilize prayer and fasting as a corrective measure for our electoral mistakes or moral failures among religious figures.
Confronting the Situation in Nigeria
Nigeria currently stands at a pivotal juncture. Many citizens recognize the grim reality yet find themselves pressured, swayed, or co-opted, sometimes even with the consent of religious leaders, to support corrupt leaders and systems that exacerbate suffering. Subsequently, congregations are summoned into extended fasting and prayers, hoping to alter outcomes solidified by previous compromises. As expected, the populace endures the repercussions.
Poverty, insecurity, corruption, and the decline of trust in institutions have confined the aspirations and agency of millions. At the same time, segments of the church have compromised integrity through favorable ties with political elites, transactional endorsements, and prioritizing performance over substance. These dynamics echo the historical struggles facing Germany, although each context is unique and deserves careful evaluation.
This proverb captures the essence: "The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous" (Proverbs 14:19, NKJV). This is not a call to resign to destiny; rather, it affirms that righteousness will ultimately prevail. Nevertheless, scripture does not propose that righteousness will triumph without action, courageous truth-telling, or principled opposition to injustice. Prayer should act as a catalyst, not a replacement for integrity, accountability, and civic responsibility.
Lessons from History: Germany's Downfall
The narrative of Germany during the interwar years serves as a sobering reminder. Economic turmoil, social division, and manipulated fear set the stage for the Nazis' rise. The regime secured its position through propaganda, suppressing dissent, neutralizing opposition, and exercising paramilitary terror. Tragically, some church groups were lured, silenced, or marginalized through threats, bribery, or false neutrality.
We should avoid using history as a weapon against specific communities or beliefs, instead extracting valuable lessons that shield us from any form of authoritarian influence born of favors, intimidation, disinformation, or the glorification of political leaders.
The Moral Crossroads in Nigeria
Nigeria's struggles cannot be diluted to a singular narrative or group. The convergence of violent extremist factions, criminal gangs, ethnic discord, and systemic corruption challenges our national fabric. Citizens justly express feelings of entrapment by insecurity and economic hardship. However, attributing blame to broad religious or ethnic groups fosters resentment and obscures the genuine issues: fragile institutions, lawlessness, disinformation, and the commercialization of faith.
Faith communities, including the church, could play a transformative role in national renewal by acting as the conscience of the state, the refuge for the marginalized, the champions of justice, the conveyors of truth, and the protectors of human dignity. This calling goes beyond electoral politics; it includes daily efforts in shaping ethics, challenging authority, and guiding ethical leaders.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once reminded the church of its position: it is neither the master of the state nor its servant but its conscience. This means the church cannot retreat into apathy or succumb to political opportunism; it must rise with courage and humility for truth, justice, equity, and the preservation of law, fostered in love and free from fear.
The Prophetic Duty: Courage Over Comfort
From Samuel to Elijah and Jeremiah, biblical prophets were never mere supporters of power. They admonished rulers, challenged injustice, defended the vulnerable, and warned of impending consequences when righteousness was disregarded. This prophetic tradition is not merely historical; it remains a framework for ethical leadership in every era.
As G.K. Chesterton is quoted, "Coziness between church and state benefits the state but harms the church."
When pulpits become platforms for favoritism, or altars transform into stages for political endorsements, spiritual authority that nourishes a nation's conscience wanes. History teaches that regimes craving absolute control primarily capture narratives, then institutions, ultimately claiming the spirit of the populace. A clergy that is either compromised or coerced represents a strategic advantage for any aspiring autocrat.
The solution lies not in rage, but in a commitment to repentance, clarity, and courage. Religious leaders must disentangle from corrupt political practices, shift their focus back to truth and service, and rebuild trust with their congregations through transparency, accountability, and genuine love.
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