Nigerian Believers in Our Messiah Need Prayer!

Prayer Points for Persecuted Nigerian Believers

I had a divine appointment with an Evangelist from Nigeria last Shabbat who has graciously invited me to share a bit about my walk with the Holy Spirit online. To prepare for this opportunity, I wanted to get to know more about the believers I would be sharing with - brothers and sisters living in Nigeria and in Canada. I asked Gemini AI to tell me about the issues Nigerian believers are facing. It is most urgent that we fast and pray for protection for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria and fervently pray Acts 4:29-30 for them.

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Challenges Facing Believers in Yeshua in Nigeria Today

Information complied by Gemini Ai

Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) in Nigeria face several significant challenges:

• Religious Persecution

  • Violent Attacks: Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the north, experience frequent attacks from extremist groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militants. These attacks include kidnappings, killings, and the destruction of churches and homes.
  • Discrimination: Christians often face discrimination in various areas of life, including employment, education, and social interactions.
  • Government Inaction: Concerns have been raised about the Nigerian government's inadequate response to these attacks and its failure to adequately protect Christian communities.

• Socio-Economic Challenges

  • Poverty and Lack of Opportunity: Many Christians in Nigeria live in poverty and lack access to basic necessities like education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
  • Political Instability: Political corruption and instability create an environment of uncertainty and insecurity for Christians and other citizens.

• Internal Divisions

  • Denominationalism: The Nigerian Christian community is diverse, with numerous denominations and varying theological perspectives. These internal divisions can sometimes hinder unity and effective responses to the challenges faced by Christians.

• Social and Cultural Pressures

  • Social Pressure to Conform: Christians may face social pressure to conform to traditional religious and cultural practices that may conflict with their Christian beliefs.

It's important to note that these are just some of the challenges faced by believers in Yeshua in Nigeria. The situation is complex and multifaceted, and the specific challenges faced by individual Christians can vary greatly depending on their location, social background, and personal circumstances.

Disclaimer: This information is based on publicly available reports and news articles.

Why Pray Acts 4:29- 30 for Nigerian Believers?

During the early days of the church, the apostles and other followers of Yeshua Ha Mashiach  faced similar persecution in Acts 4:29 we read they prayed this way:

Greek

 4:29 καὶ τὰ νῦν κύριε ἔπιδε ἐπὶ τὰς ἀπειλὰς αὐτῶν καὶ δὸς τοῖς δούλοις σου μετὰ παρρησίας πάσης λαλεῖν τὸν λόγον σου

 4:30 ἐν τῷ τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐκτείνειν σε εἰς ἴασιν καὶ σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα γίνεσθαι διὰ τοῦ ὀνόματος τοῦ ἁγίου παιδός σου Ἰησοῦ

 KJV English 

 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 

 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 

 NASB20 English

 4:29 “And [fn]now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your word with all confidence, 4:30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and [fn]signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy [fn]Servant Jesus.” 

 Amplified English

 4:29 “And now, Lord, observe their threats [take them into account] and grant that Your bond-servants may declare Your message [of salvation] with great confidence, 4:30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders (attesting miracles) take place through the name [and the authority and power] of Your holy Servant and Son Jesus.” 

Espanol Moderno

 4:29 Y ahora, Señor, mira sus amenazas y concede a tus siervos que hablen tu palabra con toda valentía.

 4:30 Extiende tu mano para que sean hechas sanidades, señales y prodigios en el nombre de tu santo Siervo Jesús." 

 Luthern Deutsch (German)

 4:29 Und nun, HERR, siehe an ihr Drohen und gib deinen Knechten, mit aller Freudigkeit zu reden dein Wort, 

 4:30 und strecke deine Hand aus, daß Gesundheit und Zeichen und Wunder geschehen durch den Namen deines heiligen Knechtes Jesus.

Source Acts 4:29-30 Blue Letter Bible Translations

It is important to note that in their persecuted state the apostles did not ask for the persecution to stop or for the Creator to take vengeance on their persecutors. Rather than praying for less persecution, they prayed for increased strength in the battle set in front of them and for the Creator to demonstrate His power in loving ways towards their persecutors, so they could come to know His love in a powerful way. 

When I read Acts 4:29-30, I am reminded of when Our Saviour and His apostles were denied access to the shortcut through Samaria and the apostles asked Him "Do you want us to call down fire and brimstone from heaven and destroy them? Our Saviour replied, "You don't know whose disciples you are!"

By praying for increased fortitude and resiliency in the face of persecution, the number of believers grew as their persecutors got to know the love of Our Father. May our brothers and sisters facing persecution for belief in Our Messiah be emboldened in their faith and ability to share their beliefs and may healings signs and wonders follow that will open the eyes of their persecutors, so that they too may come to realize how much the Creator of the Universe loves us. He loved us so much that He sent His one and only begotten Son - that whosever believes in Him - they will not perish, but have life everlasting with Our Father in Heaven when their days on this plane are done.

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  About This Author

  Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She is a Trent/Queen's Concurrent Education graduate with over 20 years of teaching experience. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through X @Sister_Su See her link tree for more details:@Sister_Su | Linktree

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