Let’s come together in prayer this week, focusing our hearts and minds on the nation of Nigeria. Lift up the dedicated people actively involved in transforming their communities. Ask God to give them the strength, wisdom, encouragement and resources they need to grow the programme.
Sunday 12 October
‘Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria,’ says Virgil Anyim, Tearfund’s Design, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor for West Africa. ‘It brings together people from different ethnicities, from different tribes and different faiths.’ Pray for unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Lagos and across the country, and for Tearfund workers like Virgil helping to bring transformation.
Monday 13 October
Tearfund’s Transforming Communities programmes train churches worldwide to lead their communities out of extreme poverty and into a sustainable future. ‘We’re asking for prayers for the Transforming Communities work here in Lagos,’ says Virgil. ‘We have envisioned many churches, and we pray that God expands the programme.’ Lord, we ask you to guide the team in Lagos to reach out and train more churches. Amen.
Tuesday 14 October
When I came across Transforming Communities, I found it to be life-saving,’ says Panmun from the Pyem community. ‘It helped me realise that drinking and following bad friends is not the best.’ Pray for transformation and lives to be changed through Transforming Communities, to help people like Panmun overcome addiction and seek a better way of life.
Wednesday 15 October
Pastor Clement Sadankar, a Transforming Communities facilitator, believes that the training is successfully empowering his church through self-help groups. People are now sharing together and giving to the church. Pray for the continued success of pastors supporting self-help groups through Transforming Communities training to benefit their whole communities.
Thursday 16 October
Using N50,000 (£24) of her savings, Nankyer from Kurgwam community rented a plot of farmland for five years and planted potatoes. For the first time, she felt the fulfilment of providing more for her children. Pray for economic empowerment through self-help groups and for more families to join Transforming Communities programmes.
Friday 17 October
‘I started a small group called Kukuruku Youth Initiative (poultry farming),’ says Caleb, a Transforming Communities facilitator. ‘It’s a wake-up call for young people who want to go into agriculture. We find people who have a passion for farming.’ Pray for youth initiatives and opportunities for young people in Nigeria to contribute to their communities.
Saturday 18 October
‘With the Transforming Communities training, I’ve realised that all that I have is not just for me,’ says Shamba, a baker and facilitator from Gura-Topp. ‘It is for all the people around me to share with them, with my community and my family.’ Pray for the strength and perseverance of all those working to bring positive change in Nigeria through Transforming Communities.
