Oyedepo Warns Of Rising Attacks, Orders Midnight Prayers Nationwide
There was an eager solemnity across the Christian community yesterday as Bishop David Oyedepo issued one of his strongest public alarms in recent years, warning that the current surge in attacks on churches and schools is edging the country towards a dangerous breaking point. His message, delivered with the deliberateness of someone sensing a gathering storm, called on Christians in every state to begin midnight prayers from twelve to one in the morning. He described the moment as one that demands vigilance, not panic, urging believers to take what he called spiritual responsibility before the crisis deepens. Reports of fresh assaults on churches and the kidnapping of students formed the backdrop of his remarks. He lamented what he viewed as a pattern of unchecked violence, stating that the growing threat requires both moral urgency and national soul searching. In his words, the country must not wait for what he described as the slide from disorder into full anarchy. The bishop expressed concern that the blood of innocent victims has become a recurring feature of the national conversation. He warned that the killings are not isolated incidents but signs of a broader deterioration in security, one that targets vulnerable communities and sacred spaces. Christian worshipers were urged to participate actively, not only through prayer but through what he described as taking charge of the atmosphere around their communities. He cautioned that silence or passivity would only embolden those behind the attacks. The tone of his address suggested a man who has watched the situation escalate for too long. He recalled that he had issued similar warnings in previous years, emphasizing that the signs of strain on the nation were now impossible to ignore. Across various congregations last night, many confirmed that preparations for the midnight prayer sessions were already underway. There was a sense of quiet movement, as though communities were bracing for a long night of collective supplication. The coming days will test whether this spiritual mobilization transforms into a stronger national push for security and accountability, as many within the church community wait to see how the government responds to the rising tension.
| 2025-11-24 09:41:24