Dear Heavenly Father,
Where do I begin? If I told you that I am not exhausted from all the chaos of the world, I would be lying. I have tried to live an insulated life, trying as much as possible to stay away from bad news. But the thing with bad news is that it spreads and seeps into even the tiniest of corners and captures even the most unbothered of us. And who, even, can be totally unbothered by the astounding amount of evil in the world?
This evening, my brother told the family that his morale is low because in the space of three days, four of his coursemates have been killed in the line of duty. One of them was on a mission to rescue abducted children hidden in the forests of the South West. If I had read this as a random headline on the internet, I would most likely not have felt the same level of sympathy I felt from knowing that these young officers who died were my brother’s contemporaries, whose Passing Out Parade I witnessed. To think that the final song the band played at the Parade was the hymn God Be With You Till We Meet Again. I remember the tears coming to my eyes as the finality of the tune hit me. Some of them might never see each other again after today, I thought. But what I had not realised was that being beheaded after about three years of being commissioned as an officer in the Nigerian Army would be the fate of one of them. The level of trouble and evil we have had to deal with in the world is starting to numb me. It is only when it hits so close to home, or when the level of outrage has become too much to ignore, that I find myself being prompted to feel. But beyond my compassion fatigue, like Asaph in the seventy-fourth Psalm, I have questions for you:
“How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever? Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them…have regard for your covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name.” (74:10-11,20-21, ESV).
I think Nigerians need a reprieve from the obscene amount of violence we have collectively had to endure. I know that all the deaths in the past ten to fifteen years have not been the same. Some people died in the fullness of time, at a ripe old age; some did not survive the womb, and some had suffered terminal illnesses. But then there are those who, full of hopes and dreams, have had their lives cut short because of the evil in others.
I’m not here to blame you for the problem of evil. I am here to ask, how long would Nigeria have to endure this level of bloodshed? I’m not naïve as to expect you to wave a wand to make the bombings and killings and kidnappings stop. But like my fellow country people, I am expectant of an end. I know that you are working behind the scenes, and that this country is in a better place because of some incremental gains over the years. But what is the point of this knowledge when there is despair all around, so that it permeates to the point that hope seems foolish?
And what is my duty as a Christian Nigerian? What is my role in addition to prayer? And how do I respond to bad reports and all-around evil in my country and around the world? How can I be a faithful witness to the hope that Christ has brought to the world in these desperate times?
In all of these, one thing is certain. It is time for you and me to act. Lord, I beg of you, rise and roll up your sleeves. Defeat the enemies of Nigeria, this country you so dearly love and have called according to your purpose. Please Lord, rise and put our enemies to shame; wipe the tears of weeping mothers, wives, fiancés and sisters. Give courage to our men and women who so earnestly fight with their lives for this evil of wanton bloodshed and violence to end. Grant grace to your Church not to be distracted by the world, but to witness to the power of the Cross. Help the leaders of Nigeria across all spheres and levels; grant to them wisdom as you gave Solomon. Give your justice to our president, who stands first in line, representing the country. Help him to govern with righteousness. Help me play my part, whatever it is, and always remember that you are seated highly on your throne and that Nigerians will see the recompense of the wicked. And now I hear you say:
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to [Nigeria], and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1-2, ESV) Amen.
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