Bishop Oyedepo Urges Christians to 'Take Charge' Through Prayer Amid Rising Church Attacks, Warns of Impending 'Genocide' and Anarchy

Presiding Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners' Chapel) has issued a fervent call to action for Christians in Nigeria, urging them to "take charge" through spiritual intervention to prevent the nation from descending into "genocide" and "anarchy." Speaking on Sunday during the live-streamed 4th Pre-Shiloh Encounter Service, Oyedepo unveiled a new midnight prayer drive aimed at perpetrators of the recent deadly attacks on churches. The Bishop's remarks come against a backdrop of heightened insecurity across Nigeria, particularly following a spate of violent attacks on places of worship that have resulted in numerous deaths and abductions. "Developments in the past two weeks, particularly in Nigeria, are worrisome to say the least," Oyedepo stated, stressing the urgent need for a prompt response in prayers to stop the k!llings. He condemned the violence unequivocally, asserting, "You can’t trade people’s lives for your comfort.

All the innocent blood shared is speaking vengeance all the perpetrators will pay with their lives." He also reaffirmed the collective ownership of the nation, declaring, "No one owns Nigeria, Nigeria is for all." To counter the escalating violence, the cleric announced a comprehensive midnight prayer initiative. "We are going out on a midnight raid (prayers). Every member of this church should be awake one hour before violence descends to anarchy in Nigeria," he charged his congregation. He expressed dismay over the impunity surrounding recent attacks, questioning, "You mean a church was invaded during worship, and people were killed and abducted and nothing happened? The God of justice is rising." He cited Genesis 12:3, which promises a curse upon those who curse God's people, as a basis for these prayers. Emphasizing Nigeria's spiritual identity and destiny, Bishop Oyedepo proclaimed, "When God steps in, the pride of men is cut. Every arrogance will be cut down. Nigeria will never descend into chaos." He added, "I want them to hear these hard things because they are coming from the burning spirit of a prophet."

He further cited scripture from Psalm 85:8, stating, "I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints. He will not let them return to folly." Oyedepo noted his consistent warnings over the years, stating, "I’ve been shouting this for 15 years; he (God) has prompted me to speak again." The Bishop urged all "Winners" (Living Faith Church members) to partake in the midnight prayer, from 12 AM to 1 AM, and to anoint their homes. "We shall be calling for justice against those responsible for acts of violence, kidnapping, and terrorism. Every attack against the church shall be met with divine justice," he declared, adding a moral imperative: "Don't politicize human life; it's immoral. Let's join our hands and our hearts together and pray that prayer, one hour only 12am-1am." Photo Credit: Bishop David Oyedepo's Instagram page