Oyedepo sounds alarm as church attacks rise, orders nationwide midnight prayers

David Oyedepo, presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, has renewed his warning about Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, declaring that the latest attacks on worship centres which left several people dead and others kidnapped signal an urgent need for spiritual and national intervention. Speaking during the 4th Pre-Shiloh Encounter Service on Sunday, the cleric warned that the country is edging toward anarchy unless decisive action is taken.

Oyedepo said developments within the last two weeks, particularly attacks on churches, were “worrisome to say the least,” adding that the blood of innocent citizens was “crying out for vengeance.” According to him, “You can’t trade people’s lives for your comfort. All the innocent blood shed is speaking vengeance… all the perpetrators will pay with their lives.”

He explained that his concern was rooted not just in his role as a religious leader but in his identity as a Nigerian deeply connected to the nation’s destiny. “No one is more Nigerian than myself,” he said. “We all know power passes power, but no power passes the power of God.”

In response to the escalating violence, Oyedepo issued a fresh directive to members of his church nationwide, urging them to engage in one-hour midnight prayers from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m., which he described as a “midnight raid” against the forces of wickedness. He stressed that such prayers were necessary to avert what he described as a descent into chaos.

“You mean a church was invaded during worship, and people were killed and abducted and nothing happened?” he asked, condemning the seeming impunity of attackers. “The God of justice is rising.” He referenced Genesis 12:3 to justify the call for invoking divine curses upon perpetrators of violence.

The bishop maintained that Nigeria has a spiritual identity that cannot be overridden by the actions of violent groups. He declared that divine intervention would ultimately silence arrogance and confront those responsible for bloodshed. “When God steps in, the pride of men is cut,” he said. “Nigeria will never descend into chaos. I want them to hear these hard things because they are coming from the burning spirit of a prophet.”

Oyedepo added that his warnings were not new. For 15 years, he said, he has repeatedly spoken out about the looming danger if the nation failed to act decisively. Citing Psalm 85:8, he affirmed that God “will surely speak peace” to Nigeria, insisting that the country must not “return to folly.”

The cleric condemned killings, kidnappings, and acts of terrorism, describing them as symptoms of moral decay and national irresponsibility. He called for collective prayers for justice, unity, and divine protection, urging church members to anoint their homes as a symbolic act of spiritual fortification.

“We shall be calling for justice against those responsible for acts of violence,” he stated. “All Winners, anoint your houses. Every attack against the church shall be met with divine justice. Don’t politicise human life; it’s immoral. Let’s join our hands and our hearts together and pray that prayer one hour only, 12 a.m. to 1 a.m.”