By John Abiola
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” — 1 John 1:7.
October 1–3, 2026 — An Encounter of Repentance, Refining and Harvest.
I thank God for the success of this National Day of Repentance, Fasting and Prayer for national revival. I thank God for all believers and leaders across different church denominations and backgrounds; missionaries, evangelists, intercessors, prayer group leaders, Bible college students, heads of churches, ministries, mission agencies, Christian bodies, lay men and women who heard the trumpet call and participated.
I thank God for their labour of love, revelation of Christ, passion for Christ, and the godly and heartfelt intercessors who have advanced the Gospel and the salvation of souls into God’s Kingdom, from the days of the Bible until the present day. Their lives, holiness, lifestyles, ministries and characters are worthy of emulation.
I am not writing this to draw attention to myself, but to reveal our experience during our prayer time. Who knows? History also bears the testimony of intercessors.
Seasons of deep sorrow over a compromised Church, failed leadership, and moral decadence in society or a nation can become spiritual birth pangs for a coming harvest when these conditions create a deep burden in the hearts of intercessors, driving them into travailing prayer for repentance, restoration, revival, and the salvation of souls.
Thousands of people may be inspired to do the same in their various nations. Of course, repentance and prayer for ourselves, Nigeria, the nations, communities, families, and the Church must continue until the fruit is manifested—revival is birthed, sinners are saved, disciples are raised, the Church is awakened and restored, the Gospel reaches all nations, and God’s purposes are fulfilled.
THE REFINER’S FIRE
On October 1, 2026, National Day of Fasting, Prayer and Repentance—one of the annual altars of the Revive Us Again Global Prayer Movement, which was titled this year, “ONE DAY, ONE FAST, ONE PRAYER — CAN INSECURITY, BLOODSHED AND TERRORISM END IN NIGERIA?”—three intercessors, myself and two other intercessors, stood in the gap for Nigeria from midnight to 3:34 a.m. This was also the 31st day of prayer and fasting, day and night, for the same burden and purpose. After a short break for sleep, we began praying again at about 9:00 a.m. until about 12 noon on October 2.
This was not a ceremony, a prophetic declaration of material blessings, healing and miracles
nor a prayer for death to perceived human enemies or persecutors. It was a time of intense, Bible-based identificational repentance and sober reflection.
Before the prayers, during a brief exhortation, God impressed upon my heart that our repentance should begin from the foundation of our land, dating back to 1616. The first time God asked me to fast, repent and pray for 390 days for our sins from 1616 to 2006 was in 2006, which was 390 years with a prophetic word, Ezekiel 4:4-6.
This year, 1616–2026, it is again 410 years—over four centuries. In obedience, I read aloud the historical facts I had gathered from 1616 to 2026, and we used them as our own sins, confessing, “WE have sinned,” just as Daniel did in Daniel 9:5, including the failures of the Church and her leadership. My prophetic journey of repentance, fasting, prayer, intercession, and the burden to call people and nations back to God began in 1996.
We earnestly prayed through the history as confession, repented, asked for mercy, forgiveness and deliverance from His wrath and judgment, and then prayed for restoration, revival and for God to use us for the global mission assignment.
We then read Jeremiah chapter 1 and Jonah chapter 3 aloud, crying for mercy, forgiveness, deliverance, revival and restoration from God’s judgment over personal sins, national sins, evil, wickedness, bloodshed, idolatry, insecurity, killings, love of money, commercial gospel, synthetic gospel and corruption.
In that travail, God spoke to one of us:
“I will purge Nigeria with refiner’s fire.” — Malachi 3:2–3
As we concluded and asked for a final prophetic word, He gave Luke 13:22–30.
IF THE FOUNDATIONS BE DESTROYED
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” — Psalm 11:3
The righteous can fast, pray, repent and cry to God for mercy, forgiveness, deliverance, restoration and the rebuilding of broken foundations.Supporting Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 7:14 — humbling, praying, seeking His face and turning from wickedness; Daniel 9:3–19 — fasting, confession and prayer for mercy; Isaiah 58:6–12 — true fasting and rebuilding ancient ruins; Nehemiah 1:4–11 — fasting and prayer for Jerusalem; Ezra 9:5–9 — confession and mercy; Jeremiah 33:3 — calling upon God for answer;
1 John 1:9 — Confession, Forgiveness, and Cleansing.
OCTOBER 3RD NIGHT VISION: NIGERIA BLOOD-WASHED AND LIFTED
On October 3, 2026, I saw a night vision. I was alone, confessing, repenting and asking God for mercy and forgiveness for Nigerians and Nigeria, dating back from 1616 to 2026.
Oswald J. Sanders wrote in his book Effective Prayer that prayer is not an exercise of the conscious mind alone. Henry Moorhouse, the great evangelist of a past generation, frequently prayed aloud in his sleep: “I sleep, but my heart waketh” (Song of Songs 5:2).
I woke up. By 1:37 a.m., I began to pray.
From the vision, I knew that God was not yet through with me. He wanted me to continue praying concerning identificational sins and strongholds, year by year, in Nigeria after the October 1 National Day of Repentance and to continue into the second day.
I read several Scriptures on confession, repentance, mercy, turning from evil, forgiveness, deliverance, restoration, transformation, revival of the Church, raising up disciples and the nation, and the great harvest of souls. I read aloud 100 Names of Jesus Christ—Emmanuel, Saviour, Redeemer, Lamb of God, Lion of Judah, King of kings, Lord of lords, Advocate, Intercesor, Mediator, Great High Priest, Alpha and Omega, Bright and Morning Star, Root of David, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Word of God, Truth, Life, Way, Door, Good Shepherd, Chief Cornerstone, Foundation, Refiner’s Fire, Fuller’s Soap, Lord of the Harvest, and many others.
For hours, I remained on my knees, travailing in agonizing prayer.
I did not stand as someone who was better than others. I stood as a Nigerian and as a member of the Body of Christ, saying with Daniel: “We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled. O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him” — Daniel 9:5,8-9.
The burden was not merely about the problems Nigeria is experiencing today. I prayed concerning the accumulated wounds, sins, violence, injustice, slavery, human sacrifices, rituals, idolatry, bloodshed, corruption, human trafficking, insecurity and failures that have marked different generations. I also confessed the failures of the Church, where leaders, and believers have compromised truth, neglected evangelism, pursued materialism and failed to carry the burden of the nation before God.
This was not an attempt to rewrite history through prayer. It was an attempt to bring the nation’s history before the mercy of God.
A profound spiritual assembly took place, not in the halls of human governance, but before the righteous Judge.
Driven by a relentless, day-and-night cry for mercy, a historic 31-day fast was undertaken to confront the ancient foundations of Nigeria. For over four centuries, the land has been crying out under the weight of unrepented sins. By systematically repenting year by year, from 1616 to 2026, the history and wounds of a nation were laid bare before the Righteous Judge.
The word received was clear: “I will purge Nigeria with refiner’s fire.” This was understood in the light of Malachi 3:2–3 and Luke 13:22–30.
THE 410-YEAR SPIRITUAL LEDGER
MY PERSONAL CONFESSION — PRAY THIS AS YOUR OWN
Father, thank You for Your love in giving us Your Son and for His death and resurrection, and for Your promised prophecy concerning establishment of Your Church, that gates of hell shall not prevail against it—Matthew 16:18.
Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life. My life is not wasted, but is given for Your intercession for Your Kingdom purpose.
Thank You for Your covenant with Nigerians, the land and the Church. Thank You for choosing me, so that Your will may be done in Nigeria, the world and in the Church today.
Heavenly Father, in the Name of JESUS CHRIST—the 100 Names above all names—I bring before You my sins, the sins of our fathers and mothers, Nigerians from 1616 down to 2026. Sins, wickedness, slavery, bloodshed, human and animal sacrifices, idolatry, wars and killings. The report is of spiritual and physical patterns progressively manifesting from generation to generation, from 1616 to 2026, in every area of our lives and across sectors, the land, Christians, leaders and all Nigerians in Nigeria and in the diaspora. These have brought shame and ridicule to Your Name and made us a mockery among nations. They have delayed manifestation of Your promises and prophecy over the Church, citizens and the nation. To mention but a few, have mercy on us. We are all guilty, beginning with me.
I CONFESS — HISTORICAL FACTS AS IDENTIFICATIONAL PRAYERS
1616–1618 — BLOOD AND THE LAND
Father, we confess history of slavery and shedding of human blood associated with land and peoples of West Africa. English trading companies were involved in Atlantic slave trade, and in 1618 Company of Adventurers of London Trading to the Ports of Africa received royal charter for trade with West African coast. We confess sins of our ancestors and wickedness of those generations. We confess selling and suffering of human beings, bloodshed, idolatry and every evil. Have mercy, forgive and deliver us. By blood of Jesus that speaks better things than blood of Abel, cleanse our land today.
1804–1808 — THE JIHAD AND THE NORTH
Father, we confess violence and bloodshed associated with wars of early nineteenth century, including jihad led by Usman dan Fodio and establishment of Sokoto Caliphate. We confess failures of Church to reach many people with Gospel and to stand faithfully in prayer. Have mercy and forgive us today. Raise praying Church that will reach every people.
1914 — AMALGAMATION
Father, we remember amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria on January 1, 1914, under British colonial administration. Whatever human motives, political arrangements and historical consequences were involved, we bring history of our nation before You. We confess sins committed before and after amalgamation and ask You to establish Your righteous purpose for Nigeria—not according to human ambition, but according to Your will.
1970s–1980s — THE CAMPUS REVIVAL AND THE RISE OF PROSPERITY TEACHING
Father, we confess before You the changes that emerged within parts of the Nigerian Christian movement after the campus revivals of the 1970s. You raised young men and women through Christian Union fellowships, Scripture Union, evangelism, prayer and the study of Your Word. The early revival emphasized salvation through Jesus Christ, holiness, sanctification and the coming of Your Kingdom.
During this period, international preachers, Christian literature and transnational Pentecostal connections also influenced the development of the Nigerian Church. In subsequent years, prosperity teaching became increasingly prominent in some Pentecostal circles, emphasizing faith, giving, material blessings, healing and miracles. Father, where we have allowed the pursuit of wealth, material success, offerings and outward manifestations of power to overshadow repentance, holiness, sound doctrine, sacrificial service and the preaching of Christ crucified, have mercy upon us. Where giving has been turned into a means of exploiting people, where Your Word has been misused for personal gain, and where the Gospel has been reduced to promises of material prosperity, forgive us.
We acknowledge that material provision and divine healing are not themselves contrary to Your Word. Forgive us wherever these blessings have been made the centre of the Gospel rather than Jesus Christ Himself. Restore the Church to the preaching of the whole counsel of God, the fear of the Lord, genuine repentance, holy living, evangelism, discipleship and sacrificial love. Let the Gospel of Christ crucified, risen and coming again remain at the centre of our faith and ministry. In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
1967–1970 — THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR: THE TRAGEDY OF INNOCENT LIVES
Father, we remember Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970, devastating conflict causing immense suffering. Historical estimates death toll range from one million to three million, although exact number remains uncertain. Many civilians died from starvation and disease, particularly during famine in Biafra. Innocent children were among most severely affected. Lord, we lament loss of innocent lives and suffering of families. Forgive us for every hatred, ethnic hostility, injustice and violence contributing to bloodshed. Heal wounds of past, reconcile our people, deliver Nigeria from further bloodshed. Your Word declares, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
1986 — NIGERIA AND THE OIC
Father, Nigeria became member of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in 1986. We bring this national decision before You in prayer. Where Church failed to understand, discern or respond wisely, forgive us. Where there has been religious division, compromise or injustice, have mercy. Establish righteousness, justice and truth.
1999 — THE CONSTITUTION AND RELIGIOUS COURTS
Father, we confess failures surrounding constitutional and national development. 1999 Constitution contains provisions establishing Sharia Courts of Appeal for Federal Capital Territory and for states that require them, with constitutional jurisdiction concerning Islamic personal law. We bring before You every area where justice, equality, truth and protection of every citizen have been compromised. We confess failures as citizens and as Church. Have mercy and help Nigeria pursue justice, righteousness and peace.
1999–2001 — THE EXPANSION OF CRIMINAL SHARIA
Father, we remember expansion of Sharia into criminal matters beginning in Zamfara State in 1999, with implementation beginning January 2000, followed by other northern states. We do not pray against people because of their religion. We pray for righteousness, justice, peace and salvation of every Nigerian. Where Church failed to respond in prayer, wisdom and love, forgive us. Raise Church that will proclaim Gospel of Jesus Christ without fear and without hatred.
2002–TODAY — VIOLENCE AND INSECURITY
Father, we confess bloodshed, terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, displacement and destruction that have afflicted Nigeria for many years. We remember suffering of families, communities, children, farmers, students, churches and all innocent people affected by violence. Father, we confess failures of individuals, communities, institutions and Church wherever we have been silent, compromised, corrupt or prayerless. Have mercy and forgive us. Deliver Nigeria from violence and bloodshed. Bring justice, peace and restoration.
2009–TODAY — THE BLOODSHED AND PERSECUTION OF NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS
Father, we cry to You over prolonged bloodshed, terrorism and persecution in Nigeria since 2009. Boko Haram and other armed groups have killed, abducted and displaced Christians, attacked churches and communities, destroyed homes, and forced families to flee. Widows, orphans, maimed victims and millions of displaced people continue to suffer. Many children have lost access to education, and some Nigerians have fled to neighbouring countries for safety. Open Doors’ World Watch List 2026 reported that 3,490 of the 4,849 Christians it recorded as killed for their faith worldwide during its reporting period were killed in Nigeria.
President Donald Trump has publicly raised issue of Christian persecution in Nigeria, and US government has taken further action to examine crisis. Lord, remember suffering of Your people and every innocent Nigerian. Have mercy. Deliver Christians and all vulnerable communities from persecution, terrorism, kidnapping and bloodshed. Comfort bereaved, restore displaced families, protect children, bring perpetrators to justice, and move leaders to fulfil responsibility to protect every citizen. Let righteousness, religious freedom, security and lasting peace return.
ALSO, THE BODY OF CHRIST IN NIGERIA
Father, have mercy and forgive us, Body of Christ—our apostasy, commercial gospel, occultism, witchcraft, turning Church into idolatrous centres, and denying sinners true Gospel of Christ crucified for prosperity-driven commercial and synthetic gospel. Many sinners across nation and around world whom we should have reached with true Gospel have died in every generation from 1616 until today, while billions are still waiting around world for someone to bring them true Gospel.One mission organisation estimates that 5.33 billion people live in the 10/40 Window, including Nigeria, while another defines it as 66 nations containing 3.1 billion unreached people who have never heard the Gospel even once. Forgive our church leaders
for focusing our vision and missionary journey on America and Europe—where we pursue dollars, pounds, and recognition for ourselves—while neglecting Asia, the Middle East, Islamic nations, Niger, Iraq and North and Middle Belt areas of Nigeria. Lord, in Your judgment remember mercy. Forgive us, purge us, refine us, revive us, restore us, redeem us and use us. Make us missionary-sending nation. Make us disciple-making Church and preachers of real Gospel, to turn universal Church back to truth and holiness and save souls. Make disciples of all nations. Bring transformation to many nations. Revive Your Church. Heal us, our land and our nation.
THE VISION OF THE NIGERIA FLAG
I was weak in body. Water was dripping from my nose and eyes, I was feeling headache, stressed and sleep-deprived, but I refused to stop praying. Many thoughts concerning decades of Church and nation, perishing souls, insecurity, bloodshed and terrorism came to my heart, generation after generation.
My intercessory burden for souls is not self-employed generated passion; it is divine fire in my heart. God’s word and His grief over lost are trapped in my bones. True revival and awakening is not birthed in casual prayer meetings; it is birthed through travailing intercessors who feel weight of hell and value of souls so deeply that it breaks them.
While I was earnestly intensifying my heartfelt prayer, I saw invisible hand stretched out, holding small national flag of Nigeria, green-white-green in colour, on short wooden stick. As my prayer intensified, I saw flag become bigger and mightier, and green-white-green colour became brighter, cleaner and shining. It was mounted on long golden pole standing straight on ground, and flag was waving in wind.
And I heard a voice: “Nigeria, be blood-washed.”
I asked God when vision ended, “Lord, give me a prophetic word.” He redirected me to Luke 10:2.
THE NARROW DOOR: CHOOSE CHRIST BEFORE THE FIRE
Message of Refiner’s Fire is ultimately message to every heart: narrow door is still open, but no one should presume it will remain open forever.
To unbeliever, Jesus Christ is calling you today. Do not wait for another warning, another crisis, another tragedy. Turn away from sins and come to Christ. Repent and believe Gospel. Your religion, morality, wealth, position, family background or good works cannot save you. Only Jesus Christ can save you.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”- Acts 4:12.
To Christian, do not assume being in Church is enough. Examine your heart. Have you truly surrendered to Christ? Are you walking in holiness, obedience and truth? Have you allowed Refiner to remove compromise, hidden sin, pride, greed, unforgiveness and everything displeasing to Him? Lord is not merely looking for people who carry Christian names; He is looking for people who belong completely to Him.
Jesus said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate” (Luke 13:24).
Refiner’s Fire is not coming merely to expose Nigeria; it is coming to expose hearts. Before we cry for God to change our nation, let Him change us.
Today, door of mercy is open. Today, there is still time to repent. Today, there is still time to return to Christ.
Choose narrow door. Choose Jesus. Surrender completely to Him.
The fire may test your life, but those who belong to Christ will come forth purified, faithful and ready for His Kingdom. And after warning of narrow door comes call to harvest. Refiner’s Fire is not end of story. Purpose of purification is that people made ready for God can become labourers in His harvest.
INTERPRETATION — LUKE 10:2 — WHAT IS COMING
“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
From this Scripture, Nigeria, Nigerians and Church shall fulfil their destiny. Not only shall Nigeria be blood-washed and saved, but she shall fulfil two-fold burden of Luke 10:2:
LARGEST HOME TO A BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH AND HOLY GHOST-INSPIRED PRAYER AND INTERCESSION MOVEMENT
That small, dirty flag becoming big, mighty flag on golden pole means Nigeria being lifted from shame to glory. Green-white-green, washed—blood-washed by blood of Jesus—now clean, bright and shining. Golden pole means divine establishment, not Lugard’s amalgamation, but God’s establishment. Waving in wind means wind of Holy Spirit—Acts 2.
Nigeria shall become epicentre of intercession, where millions will pray day and night for harvest and restoration of biblical values, standards and holiness to global Body of Christ.
GLOBAL MISSION ASSIGNMENT AND UNPRECEDENTED HARVEST
Harvest is great, but labourers are few. Nigeria shall become one of largest senders of missionaries and true Gospel preachers after being blood-washed. After Refiner’s Fire of Malachi 3:2–3 and narrow door of Luke 13:22–30 comes harvest labour of Luke 10:2.
From one of most terrorized nations to one of most evangelizing nations. First shall be last, and last shall be first.
Small flag is Church in closet. Big, mighty flag is Nigeria after purging—a missionary nation.
Let everyone who reads this pray it as own confession now. Let us continue in personal repentance of our sins and turn back from wicked ways—from homes, families, churches, ministries, gatherings and communities.
Then God can hear our prayer for healing of our nation, and revival can be birthed. New Nigeria in righteousness can emerge for betterment of every Nigerian citizen, and Church in Nigeria can fulfil her prophetic destiny by taking Gospel to ends of world, which will usher in return of Christ for rapture of His glorified Church—the Bride.
Please remember to pray daily for me, my family, ministry, and partners. (2 Corinthians 1:8–11)
By Prophet John Abiola.
Intercessor | Revival Voice.
Revive Us Again Series 153.
Revive Us Again — A Global Prayer Movement for Worldwide Revival
Revive Us Again is a call for the Church to return to God, recover the altar of prayer, repent of sin, receive spiritual awakening, and become a praying and witnessing people through whom revival can reach the nations.
Nigeria Global Intercessors (NGI)
Email: globalintercessors7@gmail.com.
