In Nigeria today, the frustration with leadership is real. Citizens watch as decisions are made that deepen poverty, as corruption remains unchecked, and as policies seem disconnected from the struggles of everyday people.

Roads remain unrepaired, security threats persist, and many feel abandoned by those elected to serve them. It is tempting to respond with anger or complete withdrawal from any concern for those in power, though these would be legitimate responses, the question I want you to ponder on as you read this, dear believer, is, what does scripture say, what response does scripture offer?

Scripture’s response is not one that ignores injustice but instead it responds with something far more powerful than outrage, complaint or withdrawal.

Scripture says in 1 Timothy 2:1-2
New King James Version
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Apostle Paul wrote these words during the reign of Nero, one of the most brutal emperors in Roman history. Nero persecuted Christians, burned them alive, and used them as entertainment.

Yet, Apostle Paul did not tell the church to curse Nero. He did not tell them to withdraw or complain, instead, he told them to pray. And this was not merely a suggestion. The word “exhort” means to implore, he was beseeching them that the most effective response to the situation was to pray.

Why is it important to pray for leaders, especially when those leaders are unjust?
First, we must understand that praying for them does not mean excusing their deeds. There is a difference between calling out wickedness and being hateful. Scripture is filled with examples of prophets who confronted kings and leaders boldly, yet maintained a heart of intercession. And this must be our disposition too. We can acknowledge corruption, speak against injustice, and still pray for those in authority.

This is because prayer is not just about changing leaders, it is more than that; it is about positioning the church to fulfill its mission.

Apostle Paul says “pray for those in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” This shows the condition of leadership directly affects the mission of the church, it affects the freedom of the church to worship, evangelize, and live out the gospel. Even more, it affects the massive impact the church can attain.

Essentially, a leadership that is against the move of God makes the mission of the church harder.

We see the church’s mission in:
1 Timothy 2:3-4
New King James Version
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

It is not enough that just a few men are saved, it is not enough that just your friends and family members are saved, God desires much more. He desires that ALL men are saved. And every decision the government of a country makes either opens or closes doors for the gospel. This is why our prayers matter! When we intercede for leaders, we are not just praying for better governance, we are also praying for the advancement of the gospel in our nation.

Ephesians 6:12
New King James Version
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

You must recognize that when leaders make decisions that oppress the people, when corruption becomes normalized, when injustice is defended, there are spiritual forces at work. Stop seeing it as natural occurences. Maybe when you stop seeing the evil in your nation as a casual, physical issue, you can rise up in prayers.

Demons do not need to possess every leader to influence them. They simply need access, they need just a few people in power and when believers are silent in prayer, that access remains unchallenged.

This is why the state of Nigeria is directly connected to the prayers of God’s people. When the church neglects to intercede, darkness has free reign, evil men rise without resistance and corruption flourishes without restraint. But when believers stand in the gap, intercedeing consistently and fervently, we create an atmosphere where righteousness can prevail and wickedness is restrained.

Proverbs 21:1
New King James Version
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

This verse reveals something powerful: no leader is beyond God’s influence. Even the most stubborn heart can be turned by God, even the most corrupt system can be disrupted by divine intervention. And God has chosen to work through the prayers of His people.

Daniel 2:21
New King James Version
21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

Scripture shows us that at different points where God’s people played a role in the leadership processes of countries through intercessory prayers. We see that Daniel prayed and an entire nation was brought to Christ. In his time, Nehemiah prayed and in hers, Esther fasted and we see that their prayers affected the course of their nations and people.

So, dear believer, would you stand in the gap or would you merely complain? It is easier to pray for leaders we agree with, whose actions are helping the citizens and making things better and it is much harder to pray for those whose actions have caused suffering.

Yet, this is where the gospel challenges us. Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him. Stephen prayed for those who stoned him. This does not mean we become passive in the face of injustice but it means we refuse to let bitterness take root in our hearts. We refuse to respond with the same hatred that drives wickedness. Instead, we respond with the weapon that hell cannot withstand which is intercession.

When you pray for a leader you disagree with, you are not endorsing their actions. You are positioning yourself as a priest before God, standing in the gap for your nation because Nigeria’s transformation begins with our intercession. The state and future of this nation does not rely on elections or policies but on the prayers of God’s people.

When we pray, we create restraint against evil.
When we pray, we open doors for righteousness to prevail.
When we pray, we invite God’s justice into our systems.

Do not let frustration rob you of your priestly responsibility. Do not let anger silence your prayers. The enemy wants believers to give up on intercession because he knows that when the church stops praying, darkness advances unchecked. But when we stand as watchmen, when we refuse to be silent, when we take our place before God on behalf of our leaders and our nation, there is divine order.

Today and for the rest of this week, I charge you to commit to praying daily for Nigerian leaders, call them by their name. Pray for the President, your state Governor, and local leaders. Pray for deliverance from wicked and unreasonable men who seek to oppose God’s purposes. Pray for wisdom, integrity, and the fear of God to come upon those in authority.
Declare that righteousness will reign in Nigeria!

Prayer Point
Lord, we step into our priestly role of intercession, we declare for every leader that they have the fear of God, give them divine wisdom and right counsel. We declare that through our leaders doors are opened for the advancement of the gospel and there is great impact and harvest.