CWRC Anthology

RESTORING GLORY

Restoring Glory

By Faith Ijiga

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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles  7:14 : Bible KJV.

Prayer's POV

This evening, I found myself sitting in my modest living room at the heart of Abuja, the federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, reminiscing over the past fifty years that I had made a vow to pray for my nation and never give up. My name is Prayer Udo, and I am a widow. I lost my husband, a brave army veteran, many years ago to the relentless ravages of war. His sacrifice for our beloved Nigeria haunts me every day, but it is also the inspiration behind my unshakable faith in our country.

"Dear Lord Jesus, guide my son Ryan as you guided his father," I whispered, gazing at my husband's faded photograph on the mantel. Ryan, now a soldier like his father, embodied courage and loyalty beyond his years. He reminded me of my husband in many ways, especially his passion for seeing our nation restored to its former glory.

Abuja was once a bustling city, the beating heart of our vibrant nation, but years of political turmoil, economic hardships, and social unrest had left deep scars. Corruption had tainted the country's leadership, and the people lost hope. Yet, I never did. For fifty years, I had been praying for Nigeria with unwavering faith, beseeching God to heal our land and give us God fearing and patriotic leaders.

There were times when my prayers seemed futile, especially when the news brought only despair. But God's strength and Grace, the only constants in my life, kept me going. I remembered my husband's words, "Prayer, my love, you must never give up on our nation. Our country's strength lies in the resilience of its people and their faith in God." His belief in Nigeria inspired me, and I clung to his vision like a lifeline.

Still, there were times I felt so discouraged and even wondered if what I was doing was worth it, or was I wasting these precious years of my life. Those were the times that the Holy Spirit would comfort and encourage me with scriptural passages. One of the scriptures the Holy Spirit used to comfort me is Luke 2:36-38. It's about a woman named Anna. She was a widow after seven years of marriage. She became a prophetess who dedicated the rest of her Life to prayers and lived in the temple. At the time her prayers were answered, she was already eighty-four. That was when Jesus, the Messiah was born.

Being a widow myself, I could somehow relate to the life of prophetess Anna. Thus, I made a vow that as long as I breathe, I would pray ceaselessly for my country.

As I knelt by my bed every night, I asked God to grant Ryan, his fellow soldiers and everyone who is working tirelessly to restore the glory of Nigeria, the strength to fulfill their high calling and lead our nation toward a brighter future. Their journey was fraught with challenges, yet they faced them with determination. My son’s courage and the courage of every patriotic Nigerian filled me with pride and hope, making me believe that my prayers were not in vain.

One night, as I sat on my porch, enjoying a glass of pineapple juice after concluding a 3-days fasting for God's intervention for my country, I overheard Ryan's voice from inside the house. He was speaking on the phone with a colleague, discussing the recent unrest and the dire need for change. His voice carried a note of resolve, and I could sense the weight of his mission.

"I understand the risks," Ryan said, "but we owe it to our people to fight for a better Nigeria. We can't let corruption and greed tear us apart any longer. It's time to stand up and make a difference."

As I listened, my heart swelled with pride. My son's words echoed the sentiments of my prayers, and I knew that he was one of the answers to them. Though my husband's absence left a void in my heart, knowing that Ryan was carrying the torch of his father's legacy comforted me.