Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has reiterated his long-standing warning about Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, following recent attacks on churches that left worshippers dead and others abducted.
Speaking during the 4th Pre-Shiloh Encounter Service on Sunday, Oyedepo expressed grave concern over the state of the nation. “Developments in the past two weeks, particularly in Nigeria, are worrisome to say the least. There is need for a prompt response in prayers to stop the killings once and for all. You can’t trade people’s lives for your comfort,” he said.
The cleric condemned the spate of violence, declaring that “all the innocent blood shed is speaking vengeance… all the perpetrators will pay with their lives.” He emphasised his deep connection to Nigeria, saying: “No one is more Nigerian than myself. We all have our ancestral grounds. We all know power passes power, no power passes the power of God.”
Oyedepo urged members of his church to engage in midnight prayers, describing it as a spiritual “raid” against forces of violence. “Every member of this church should be awake one hour before violence descends to anarchy in Nigeria… you mean a church was invaded during worship, and people were killed and abducted and nothing happened? The God of justice is rising,” he declared, citing Genesis 12:3 as a basis for prayers against the wicked.
He stressed that Nigeria would not descend into chaos, insisting that divine intervention would cut down arrogance and restore peace. “When God speaks, it is accompanied with peace… I’ve been shouting this for 15 years; He has prompted me to speak again,” Oyedepo said, quoting Psalm 85:8.
While condemning terrorism, kidnapping, and bloodshed, the bishop called for justice against perpetrators and urged his congregation to join in midnight intercessions. “We are raiding the camp of the wicked; let’s all partake in the midnight prayer,” he concluded.
