After the weekend of prayer and fasting in early January, CSW is pleased to hear positive developments coming from the country in answer to our prayers. Please continue to pray for the nation as a whole and in particular for an end to religion-related violence.
Local contacts report that Nigeria is "being rescued from disintegration"
One of CSW's contracts reported this week that our prayers are starting to bear fruit, saying, "I strongly believe God has acted miraculously intervening and rescuing Nigeria from disintegration."
Another CSW contact was part of a prayer gathering in Adamawa State where the "most intense prayers" occurred from 6-8 January. "A day after our prayers, we heard that some Boko Haram rebels who attacked and killed the eleven people in Mubi have been arrested. A bomb planted and aimed at destroying lives in the same Mubi town, though it exploded it did not cause any casualty. This, we believe, was stopped through the prayers of the saints."
Yesterday he informed us of further developments: "a Boko Haram member was caught in Michika Town, while attempting to attack a Church. He made some useful confessions, which led to the arrest of other members in different locations."
Signs of reconciliation
There have been other encouraging signs of reconciliation, even in the midst of the general strike that brought the nation to a standstill. From Kano City in Kano State came reports, firstly of Christian fuel subsidy removal protesters surrounding and protecting Muslim protesters as they prayed. The same thing is reported to have later occurred in Abuja.
However Kano, an area that has experienced regular attacks on non-Muslims and southerners in the past during which hundreds and even thousands have died, went a stage further. In a peace deal dubbed "The Kano Covenant", which was signed on behalf on both religious communities by a representative of Concerned Citizen of Kano (CCK) and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kano State chapter, Muslims and Christians in Kano State resolved to co-exist peaceably and avoid any act that would breach this peace. In a clear rejection of Boko Haram's activities, the Muslim group said it was unfortunate that the orgy of ethno-religious violence in the north-east had caused anxiety and apprehension among the ethnic and religious minorities. Then last Sunday, members of the CCK attended church services, offering solidarity and protection to congregations. The same reportedly occurred in the Niger State capital. Minna.
News also emerged from Kaduna State about the arrest of a former trade union chairman who had been caught in possession of army uniforms and guns in Kaduna South. Finally an influential businessman and alleged gunrunner for Boko Haram who was apprehended in Abuja and somehow escaped police custody is now reported to have been recaptured. This is all greatly encouraging. However, today's breaking news of multiple explosions in Kano underlines the need for continuing prayer for the nation.
CSW continues to call for prayer for Nigeria
Clearly, the situation in Nigeria remains volatile, and Boko Haram is still a major danger. However, we give thanks for these small but significant signs of hope and ask that you continue to pray for this strategic nation. Keep praying for an end to violence by Boko Haram. Please pray particularly that the reconciliation efforts underway in Kano will not fizzle out, but will instead inspire a nationwide reconciliation movement, where common citizenship and the importance of living peaceably despite tribal or religious differences override all divisions and foster a strong sense of national unity.
As one of our contact said at the end of his email to us: "the only effective answer to the threats Nigeria faces is earnest intercessory and supplicated prayers for the land. The prayers of the saints are powerful".
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