The General Overseer of Life Comfort Mission International, Ibadan, Prophet Odekunle Ephapras, has charged Nigerians to pray fervently and cooperate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts to move the nation forward.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Oodua News Newspaper in Ibadan, Prophet Ephapras stressed that prayers and unwavering support from citizens would enable the President to realize his vision of transforming the country.
According to him, President Tinubu is working tirelessly to achieve a new Nigeria but needs time to address the deep-rooted decay and economic challenges that have accumulated over the years.
The cleric called on pastors and ministers of God nationwide to take up the responsibility of leading intensive intercessory prayers for divine intervention in the nation’s affairs.
The highly revered clergy who urged Nigerians to always be positive and speak well of the nation said if not for prayers, things would have gone so bad, adding that the present state of the country is the grace of God and prayers of people of God.
“Pastors and ministers of God in Nigeria have vital role to play in ensuring things return to normalcy. Intercessory prayers for the nation should be a top priority for them,” he said. “The Scripture says, Pray for the peace and progress of Jerusalem; those who seek its peace and progress will prosper. In the same way, we must pray for Nigeria and also teach our congregations to do the same. God truly answers the prayers of His children.”
Prophet Ephapras emphasized that if not for the prayers of God’s people, the country’s situation would have been far worse. He attributed Nigeria’s relative stability to God’s grace and the persistent prayers of believers.
“I am urging apostles, pastors, prophets, evangelists, and ministers of God to make it their duty to lift Nigeria before God in fervent and sincere prayer. We need prayers that will heal the nation. In Israel, people hold continuous national prayers for their country — hour after hour. We should emulate that,” he said.
The cleric also warned that sin remains a major hindrance to God’s presence in Nigeria. He urged religious leaders to instill in their congregations the values of truth and honesty.
“The Scripture says, Righteousness exalts a nation. Nigerians must turn away from lies and deceit.
According to him, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke once said he asked God why prayers in Nigeria often seem unanswered. God told him it is because of the sin of lies and deceit, which creates a spiritual barrier. A nation that thrives on lies invites demonic interference in its affairs.
“Nigerians need to turn from their life of lies and deceit. In Overseas things are not like this, a man of God, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnkey once said he asked God why he needed to call the name of Jesus more than three times before he got answers, and God said to him that the people of Nigeria and Africa live in sin of lies and deceit, they operate under a thick cloud of heaven, that’s Why they don’t get answers to their prayers easily. A nation that live in lies will have demons and evil spirit blocking their prayers, he added.
Prophet Odekunle Ephapras said it is high time Pastors and Ministers of God make it a point of duty to teach the people to be truthful citizens in order to bring back the presence of God back to the country.
Prophet Ephapras concluded by assuring that Nigeria’s fortunes would change if pastors and ministers of God lead the people back to God in truth, honesty, and persistent prayer.
