Dear General (Dr.) Gowon,

our life has been an interesting one, I remember my maternal grandmother saying your mother was a prayer warrior and also the acronym of your name "Go On With One Nigeria", it was reported that the only reason you were overthrown was because you did not make any plan to hand over to a civilian government, and it is also amazing that when you were kicked out, it became apparent that you had not accumulated wealth like other generals such as Obasanjo, Babangida, Abubakar etc. In my mind and I'm sure in the mind of other Nigerians you come first or second as the best military ruler (even though military rule is not good for any reason), the other person would be the late Brig. Tunde Idiagbon.

advertisement

In recent times, you have brought your faith into your public life (which is the way it should be), letting your Judeo-Christian principles and values lead you to start "Nigeria Pray", a ministry that organizes prayer for Nigeria. Your recent efforts in Lagos, reported by This-Day newspaper, captioned "only prayers can save Nigeria" prompted me to write this open letter and the fact that as a country we are celebrating 49 years of ruling ourselves and by all indications we have regressed (with few bright spots).

Sir, like you I believe that the change to Nigeria must come first from the body of Christ (I'm starting to sound like a broken record to myself, but can't afford to stop talking or writing), and I believe you can help further by encouraging churches to do more than pray within their own four walls, the bible says faith without work is dead.

In my relationship with many people in their marriages and at some point in my own life, prayer was a segment of our lives, it is something we do when there is trouble, prayer is more a supplication for what we need (and to kill the devil) than adoration to a great God. The hybrid religions that have developed and are being practiced in Nigeria also support and encourage prayer as a segment. People go on the mountain for 40 days praying and fasting, only to come down and continue their walk that do not please God, politicians hire prayer warriors of every faith to pray so they can keep the money they stole and the church is not doing a very good job either, the concept of deliverance is more an emotional service and laying of hands (even though that has its place), rather than a session where knowledge is shared and the truth therein setting people free.

As Christians we've been called to be watchmen, to humble ourselves and intercede for our land. We know that the survival of Nigeria is not in the hand of politicians or any of the security agencies. My proposal to you Sir (I will be more than happy to help however I can) is that "Nigeria Prays" becomes more than just an organization that prays in a big church with photo ops, but have activities that would not only change the people's thinking spiritually but would transform Nigeria, this would be the best legacy that you can leave Nigeria and you'll be remembered for something else, other than being a military ruler who presided over a war. Here are my proposals

NIGERIA PRAYS

Vision: Transforming Nigeria through Prayer

Mission: To wake up the body of Christ in Nigeria to its Mandate 2 Chronicles 7: 14

To organize (partnering with churches and organizations) prayer events that is aimed at specific locations and getting the church out of the wall of its building.

• Prayer-Walking at government buildings (local, state and federal)
• Prayer at important spiritual sites.

To bring the salt (the church) out of the salt shaker (four walls of a building), so that it can sweeten its environment.

Strategy: Form a board of Advisors - Do not bring in sycophants who just want to associate with you, invite young folks, women, and wise old men all with passion for prayer and a desire to see Nigeria change. If God is part of the whole thing, He'll bring these people to you, wherever they are in the world.

• National Advisory Board
• State chapters

At the national level there need to be strategic prayer initiatives (not the usual let's have an overnight prayer of popular pastors). This is not my territory, but I know some people are called to do spiritual mapping, I know a few people in my city who over the years have identified stronghold areas (where atrocities were committed) and they go to such places to repent, pray and uproot whatever the hold of the enemy is. Then there are the other team that works to bring unity of prayer in the city (organize school of prayer etc), by connecting pastors together in prayer, by organizing prayer-walks at certain times of the year and prayers at government buildings and for elected and appointed officials. The state chapters would do the same thing in their states and cities.

There are some prayer initiatives that can come out of the national level and implemented at the state level. Such as National Day of Prayer (a day set aside nationally to pray for our country), in America, there is a program called "see you at the pole" for school kids, they gather around the flag pole at their schools and they pray for their school and administrators.

The biggest part of Nigeria Pray, should be re-educating Nigerians through seminars/conferences on what prayer is? Basically, renewing the minds of Nigerians on what they believe prayer is. From my experience we (Nigerians) fast and lock ourselves away for a season asking God for stuff without the most important ingredient - Righteousness. In Psalms 24, King David was very clear that to dwell (not visit) in God's presence we need to have a Holy hand and a pure heart. Dwelling in God's presence triggers miracles, which is what we so desperately need in Nigeria. Your ministry and person must speak this truth about prayer to the religious leaders in Nigeria.

At the state level, your representatives need to work with churches and individuals to cover the nation in prayer, let's call it Adopt-Your-Block in Prayer

Vision

That every Church and Individual extends themselves beyond the walls of the Church building. Influencing and transforming Nigeria with the love of Christ.

Strategy

Each Church and individual adopts 1 or 2 block area of their neighborhood.

Pastors appoint a point person to coordinate for the church

• Point person must have a passion for the community
  • Individual should adopt their own block.
  • Buy a map demarcating the geographical location you are adopting.
  • Put the map in an accessible place in church (or home) and ask members to pray for the area identified
• pray for salvation of souls
• pray for marriages
• pray for the Children, youth and families
• pray for economic prosperity (businesses)
• pray for social and physical health
• Pray for safety
• Pray for government and those in power
• Pray against the stronghold of corruption
• Pray that God will give insight and breakthrough policies for Nigeria before she turns 50
• Pray that the Kingdom of Heaven will come in Nigeria as it is in Heaven
• other item as led by the Holy Spirit

Please let everyone know that this is not an evangelistic efforts, just one, two or three people walking without being noticed (it's okay to open your eyes and pray) and petitioning heaven on behalf of their neighborhood, state and nation.

Sir, this organization cannot be too cozy with politicians or religious leaders, yes you need their support, but you also have (MUST) to speak the truth to them.

If this is God, He'll provide all that you need (including people); the important thing is making yourself available to Him and embracing His cause at such a time as this for our nation. You are more than qualified with a PhD in political science to advise the leaders on political changes if they will listen, so I will not even venture into what I think politically.

Long Live Nigeria and Wishing every Nigerian a Happy 49th Independence Anniversary

Remain Blessed

William Femi Awodele is the Executive Director of Christian Couples Fellowship International, Inc. and a Vice-Chair of Embrace the Heartland in Prayer (http://www.prayheartland.com)