The Shocking Truth About the Prayer of Nigerians

by Paul Washington Uduk

ABOVE all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life

-King Solomon

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you were completely powerless?

Most Nigerians do, for reasons that are all too obvious... First October nineteen sixty Nigeria had her independence... Yet, here we are. @53 a handful of Nigerians cannot proudly declare achievements their motherland has to offer them. If she could be personified, many would run to her throwing stones, tomatoes and rotten okra at her. All expressing disdain at the “stupid and inadequate” leaders she picked to lead her. I can't help but imagine her bitterly crying "what do you want from me?" a high pitched cry that no one seems to hear. Who can blame us? We are completely blinded by what we see and numerous irritations numb the rest of our senses. I need not detail the numerous inadequacies my eyes perceive. I can't get my focus off that cry! "What do you want from me" she calls! I ponder if I alone hear this cry. Even amidst all the chaos, my mind brings forth images that lay answers to her question.

I can’t be the only one who hears it, I just can’t. Perhaps they do not understand what she says; the thrill of throwing stones is all consuming and their rage steals every moment of their thoughts. If only they tapped into such moments maybe we would sing different tunes; tunes that reflect who we truly are and stand to see that we have been tossing rocks at our reflections. And upon that realization sit down and ponder on what we want and slowly match to bring it to reality.

One can’t pretend the problems aren’t there, however the option of choosing what to do with problems remain open until solutions are found. Take heed to what the wisest man who ever lived advised; to guard our hearts diligently cause the issues of life take form from it. In other words, realize that there are problems that are capable of corrupting our being. But, careful watch points us in worthy directions. Are you guarding your heart or throwing stones? The answer in this case reveals itself on how we respond to Nigeria’s question “What do want from me?”  

Nigeria, take it from me, there are so many things we need and want but don’t be phased that we present our desire to you wrongly because we spit prayers like “Nigeria’s leaders are ill equipped, Nigeria has terrible roads, there is no peace in Nigeria, Oil thieves are constantly making away with our loot” etc. Forgetting a prayer said is prayer answered regardless of whatever mood one finds oneself.

                                      

We want good, smooth roads free of potholes.

We want steady supply of electricity to run in our homes and businesses.

We want a developed system that would drain you of every drop of corruption.

We want impeccably clean streets where gutters are sealed, litters are not found and water that must be seen is clear and flowing.

We want to hear of our leaders make high priority choices that sing wisdom and understanding of laid out knowledge.

We want an end to superstition that stems from ignorance that only proper education can cure. Yes! We really need a proper educational system in standardized schools.  

We want an end to the complaints our brothers and sisters freely give at the expense of worthy virtues such as faith, hope and love.

I seat in this oasis of hope with yearning that these things will unfold, I may not wake up and see it tomorrow, but it gives me joy to know that my children could have it. Then, a simple question sufficed. Who is going to do all these things? And a simple answer followed… You and I

Cheers…

What do you want for your country?