By John Abiola
“Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Jeremiah 36:2-3
The Israelites turned away from God and faced His wrath and judgment, which resulted in terrible disaster. Once, they had enjoyed intimacy with God and walked in His blessings, peace, and security. But in the midst of grace and mercy, they rebelled against Him.
The consequence was the loss of His blessings and protective covering, leaving them vulnerable to judgment and the invasion of the Babylonian army. God’s dealings with Israel through judgment were not to destroy them completely, but to bring them to a place of acknowledgment of sin, wickedness, and evil, leading them to repentance. Genuine repentance would provoke God’s mercy and forgiveness, and stop their punishment.
In the same way, sometimes our adversities, trials, persecutions, sufferings, and other evils are not simply because we are carrying the cross of Christ. Rather, they can be the result of our disobedience to God’s commandments and the Word of truth.
In such cases, it is God Himself, not the devil, demons, or human enemies, who is contending with us to correct our wrongdoings. What we need is not deliverance from perceived enemies, but deliverance from the bondage of sin.
You may ask: Was the scripture quoted above not only addressing the rebellion of ancient Israel, Judah, and other nations in the time of Jeremiah? What does this have to do with us as individuals, the church, or nations today?
The answer lies in Romans 3:23, where Paul writes, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That means you and I, and everyone who has ever lived have sinned. No one except Jesus Christ Himself is free from sin, for the Bible declares that no iniquity was found in Him.
Since the fall of man, humanity has loved sin and what Satan offers more than God. But thank God for His provision of redemption through Christ’s birth, death, burial, and resurrection. Through Him we receive mercy, forgiveness, and deliverance from Satan if we repent, confess, and put our faith in Him as Savior.
The question is: Do you believe in the gospel of Christ that saves and delivers? The Bible says in Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
In Luke 13:1-5, some came to Jesus after a tragedy in Jerusalem. They wanted to know why it happened. Jesus told them to stop judging others and instead examine themselves, repent, and focus on their own spiritual condition. He declared, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
So then, what could be the reasons behind the myriad problems nations are facing today?
Nigeria’s Example and a Call for Repentance
The happenings across the world call for Nigerians everywhere, home and abroad, to repent personally and nationally. Confusion among our leaders and citizens alike is not ordinary; it is the result of rebellion against God.
Violence, bloodshed, famine, hardship, corruption, injustice, and other unspeakable evils that plague Nigeria are not ordinary but are consequences of our sins.
Despite being Africa’s largest oil-producing nation, Nigeria is among the poorest in the world. Inflation, economic hardship, rise of Christian persecution, terrorism, violence, injustice, political upheavals, hunger, unemployment, and desperation are everywhere. These are not ordinary circumstances but the fruit of our iniquities.
Since 2009, Boko Haram and other jihadist groups have killed millions, destroyed communities, displaced Christians, burnt down thousands of churches and devastated regions of the nation. This too is not ordinary but a judgment provoked by rebellion against God.
Our youth, facing unemployment and hopelessness, have turned to fraud, cybercrime, ritual killings, kidnapping, and immorality. Nigerian churches, though large in numbers, are spiritually sick. Materialism, pride, denominationalism, witchcraft, occultism and love of money dominate many leaders and congregations. Families, marriages, and Christian homes are collapsing under sin. These are not ordinary but consequences of our turning away from God.
National Day of Repentance, Fasting, and Prayer for Revival – Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
This is a clarion call to all evangelical, Pentecostal, and charismatic leaders, political leaders, intercessors, missionaries, and believers in Christ from every denomination. On October 1st, 2025, let us unite for a national day of repentance, fasting, and prayer for revival. Wherever you are, in churches, homes, offices, or groups, commit at least one hour to prayer.
Together we will confess our sins, the sins of the church, and the sins of the nation before God in repentance. We will also read aloud both Part One and Part Two of our National Prayer for Revival and a New Nigeria.
Here are the links: Prophetic Prayer for National Repentance and a New Nigeria. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://churchtimesnigeria.net/prophetic-prayer-for-national-repentance-and-a-new-nigeria.
Prophetic and Strategic Prayer for National Revival.
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://churchtimesnigeria.net/prophetic-and-strategic-prayer-for-national-revival-by-john-abiola.
This annual event is for the release of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and revival upon our lives, churches, and nation.
Why You Cannot Excuse Yourself
Nigeria is in her darkest hour. Political, economic, and religious leaders have tried and failed to change the nation. We face trauma, insecurity, corruption, poverty, and chaos. Nothing has worked. Now is the time to seek God’s intervention as Nehemiah, Daniel, and the people of Nineveh did. Revival will not come until there is contrite repentance for personal, church, and national sins. Only then will God show mercy.
God’s Prophetic Word Over Nigeria by John Abiola
This call is rooted in a prophecy God gave me in September 1997, during prayer for Africa. He spoke through Ezekiel 36:33-38 that a great revival would begin in Nigeria and spread across Africa and the world. This revival, however, would only come through prayer.
God promised: “When I cleanse you from your sins, I will rebuild your ruined cities, restore your desolate land, and make it like the garden of Eden.” He assured that the nations around will know that He alone has done it. But He also declared in verse 37, “I am ready to hear Israel’s prayers for these blessings, and I am ready to grant their requests.”
Therefore, the only way out for Nigeria is revival. But revival will not come without repentance. Let us repent of our personal, church, and national sins, and then intercede for a mighty move of God. From there, a new Nigeria will be born.
Dear reader,
Let us share this message widely, in churches, magazines, newsletters, national dailies, and social media. Through obedience and cooperation, our nation will be saved, our churches revived, and millions of unbelievers brought to Christ. Now is the time for the birth of a new Nigeria, for our generation and the generations to come. God bless us all. Amen.
