Prayers Asked for Peace in Nigeria

The Christian Reformed Church in North America is asking people to pray for the safety and ministries of denominational and other missionaries and mission personnel who work in and near Jos, Nigeria, where a bomb exploded on Sunday at a church.

Eight people died and at least 38 others were injured in the explosion that occurred at the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, say CRCNA officials who serve on a team monitoring the situation in Nigeria.

While no CRCNA missionaries or mission workers were injured in the incident, they know members of other missionary organizations that worship at the church where the bombing occurred.

According to news reports, eight people died and others were injured in fighting following the explosion.

Besides praying for CRCNA workers in Nigeria, the denomination is also asking for prayers for those who have been injured or affected in various ways by the explosion and fighting.

In addition, CRCNA congregations and members are asked to “pray for the security forces as they handle the situation and the complex challenges that arise from such an incident. Please pray for calm and restraint in times like this.”

Prayers are also needed for other missionaries living in Nigeria. Above all, people are asked to pray for God to work through missionaries and others to promote peace and bring about Christ’s message of salvation.

The level of violence has spread in areas of Nigeria over the last year, especially as the cost of living has risen and poverty persists.

Following a series of attacks around Christmas by Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group based in Nigeria, the Nigerian president declared a state of emergency in portions of the four Nigerian states (including Plateau and Niger) affected by the violence.

CRWM has missionaries working in education, training and evangelism. CRWRC is working to strengthen the work of the church in addressing poverty, HIV and AIDS, and the ongoing conflict.

Both agencies are working together to bring about peace, prosperity, and hope to Nigeria.