Praying with Understanding

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Prayer, I believe is a conversation between us and God, either we are giving thanks, making requests or even asking questions. Yet it is not uncommon to feel like a prayer could be such a complicated and maybe even a delicate conversation to have, after all, it's God we are talking to here. There is no way that wouldn't be somehow daunting! I remember learning to pray as a child during family devotions and how nervous I'd get, mumbling through my words, hardly able to get anything coherent out. My auntie, bless her, would jump in the middle of one of my many long pauses to rescue me and carry on with the prayer but once we were done, my uncle would almost chide her for not giving me a chance to learn and develop my confidence. I didn't blame her; I found those long pauses very uncomfortable too! So, I usually understand when people tell me they do not know how to pray and would prefer others to pray for them or they'll just avoid it altogether and some even ask if
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Take Your Stand!

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Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.
Galatians 5:1 MSG

I have never been actively involved in politics, especially Nigerian politics which I have always found disturbing, disappointing and downright disgusting, all at the same time.
I follow the news, make sure I'm well informed and actively engage in discussions with others, even those that have opposing views to mine. I read up on people in government or those aspiring to be a part of it. I've seen some up close in the offices they occupied in the past and ultimately formed my own opinion on these matters.
I believe it is important for us to lend our voices by actively engaging in choosing leaders we believe have values that match ours. It is a responsibility we must all carry as their voices will be our representation on a larger scale.

Not everyone is born to be a leader. No, scrap that - everyone is, in my opinion. Everyone of us will occupy a position of leadership at one point or the other in our lives. Either in a family, community, government, workplace, place of education, place of worship or just as an individual making decisions that will shape us. Leadership is service, to others and self.

Image with a bible verse that reads: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5 vs 1
The leadership titles and responsibilities will differ from one to the other depending on several factors.
The president of a country is not a village head or a  school principal but their leadership roles are all the same, service to others, to those that look up to them.
A true leader will know that the position they occupy won't be forever, they know at some point in time, they will cease to occupy that position for one reason or the other. For example, end of tenure, removal, impeachment, death etc., no matter how long they occupy that position for.

A leader could desire the love and respect of all those they serve, but they would not demand it. The love and respect they receive, or do not receive, does not affect the very best of themselves they are willing to give over and over again.

I ask myself why I am so taken up by the upcoming 2023 Nigerian elections, is it the desire of my children to visit at some point in their lives and me wanting to have peace in my heart knowing they would be safe from bandit attacks or possible kidnapping? Is it the fear that continually grips me when I think of my loved ones in Nigeria and the endless prayers for Nigeria not to happen to them? Or is it the crippling anxiety I suffered during the horror of #EndSARS and yet, there still doesn't appear to be any justice for those affected. Rather, what we had was the hounding and chasing around and out of the country, the brave hearts that rose to do what the agbada wearing office occupiers couldn't - support and help one another.
Is it the fact that decades ago I had to waste a year at home after gaining admission, waiting for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call of their strike and yet that continues to be the theme even today?!

We have freedom in Christ Jesus, why then would we be willing to sit under the yoke of the same set of people that have used our differences to turn us against one another while they silently weaponize religion, education, healthcare, security and basically deny Nigerians their protected human rights?

They make wives, widows; husbands, widowers; lure their sons and daughters into criminality in a bid to ensure their stars will not shine brightly on the country. The one that could have been a medical doctor, they armed with an axe and gave the office of a political thug; the one that should have been an engineer, they adorned with handcuffs, calling it a bracelet. Their energy is what these cruel people use to fuel their corruption.
They are afraid of this generation. They cannot afford for the youth to find their voice, so now they pump the society full of any evil they can think of, any way to dull the shine of the bright stars. Their evil work can only be done in the dark, so they cannot afford for the country to be lit up with the brilliance of these minds! 

Not everyone in Nigeria can run out of the country, not all my loved ones can leave. Not even all desire to leave and frankly a bunch of corrupt agbada wearing agbayas can't succeed in chasing every well meaning citizen out of the country or make it unbearable for them. 2023 is the year to take your stand.

The country belongs to every Nigerian, either home or abroad. I believe everyone irrespective of religion, tongue or tribe can live together, peaceful if we desire it and I speak for myself when I say I desire it. We shouldn't be regressing, we should join in the fight for the world to be a better place. Nigeria as the most populous country in Africa should be a strength and not a weakness.

I pray that these months preceding the 2023 elections will be a real eye opener for every well meaning citizen. I hope it brings the realization that there is no joy in serving a master who gives with one hand and takes back with the other.

For me, if I could, my choice would be to vote for a leader that I respect, one that I know I don't have to love and worship before I know he's got my back and that of the country. A leader I would love my children to listen to and be filled with inspiration, not dread. One that is bold and courageous and won't be afraid to tell it as it is. A leader my children can tell me they want to be like and I will not immediately say "Heaven forbid!"
I will lend my voice and everything within my immediate reach to spread the news of Peter Obi as the man fit to become Nigeria's president come 2023. I won't be silent, I will speak out, I will pray for him and those that surround him. I will ask for God to help him and above all I will ask for God's mercy to prevail as only His will is acceptable, nothing other than that.

We must all also remember he is a man like every other and for him to succeed and be the leader we all desperately need, it isn't just enough to get him into Aso Rock (believe me, that is a movable mountain no matter what people may think) but for everyone to work hand in hand with each other to support him and ensure he functions as the leader we all know he can be and will be. We do not have to expect perfection but we can be assured of his dedication and service to the country.

We all need to support him to accomplish his wholesome plans for the country.

When helicopters are now being flown in the country by alleged bandits or terrorists, that is all the evidence you need to realize your vote is needed to make a shocking difference in 2023. 

Take your stand!

I look forward to when I can proudly speak of Nigeria again. When poverty ceases to be a companion of most of her citizens no matter how hard they work. Access to good, affordable healthcare, improved security, functioning educational institutions etc., I know it won't all happen in one day but at least this time, with the right person at the helm and everyone coming together to support Peter Gregory Obi, I and my kids can entertain the hope of a better and safer Nigeria.

Love always.xx

Ige

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