In a powerful address marking a significant milestone, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, has reaffirmed the critical role of spiritual discipline in national cohesion. Speaking at the church’s 23rd-anniversary celebration at its Ijesha, Lagos headquarters, Muoka positioned sustained prayer and evangelism not merely as religious duties, but as foundational pillars for Nigeria’s unity and security amidst ongoing challenges.
The pastor’s message, delivered against the backdrop of Nigeria’s complex socio-political landscape, carries profound weight. It underscores a growing conviction within many faith communities that spiritual intervention is essential to complement secular efforts in nation-building. Muoka’s declaration that the church “will continue to pray for unity in Nigeria, in spite of challenges” is a testament to a long-term, resilient hope that persists beyond immediate crises.
Reflecting on the church’s own journey, Muoka highlighted a “phenomenal” growth from humble beginnings to a massive congregation, framing it as evidence of “divine intervention in the works of ordinary people.” This narrative is powerful; it suggests that national transformation, much like the church’s growth, can emerge from steadfast faith and collective action. His recounting of “23 years of evangelism” positions the church’s work as a sustained, long-term investment in the nation’s moral and spiritual fabric, with the expected dividend being peace and an end to insecurity.
Muoka’s theology here is practical and future-oriented. His optimism for the next decade focuses on an expansion of social works and humanitarian service—a crucial point often missed in discussions of faith-based activism. This signals an understanding that evangelism must be coupled with tangible acts of love and service to address poverty, inequality, and suffering, which are themselves root causes of disunity. The church, therefore, commits to a dual mandate: proclaiming a message of hope while actively working to improve material conditions.
The upcoming Christmas retreat, pointedly titled “Only God Can Do This,” crystallizes this philosophy. It is a dedicated spiritual assembly with a clear national purpose: to pray fervently for Nigeria. This moves prayer from a private devotional act to a public, collective strategy for national intercession. The title itself is a theological statement on human limitation and divine sovereignty, suggesting that the nation’s deep-seated issues require a solution beyond mere political maneuvering.
For the broader public, Muoka’s stance offers several insights. First, it highlights the significant sociopolitical influence of major religious institutions in Nigeria, capable of mobilizing millions towards a common spiritual goal for the nation. Second, it presents a model of resilient hope—the choice to pray “in spite of challenges” is an active form of resistance against despair and cynicism. Finally, it connects personal faith to national destiny, challenging individuals to see their spiritual practices as contributions to a larger, collective healing.
In essence, Pastor Muoka’s anniversary message transcends a simple church report. It is a clarion call that frames sustained prayer and purposeful evangelism as vital, active forces for unity. It proposes that Nigeria’s path forward may well depend on the depth of its spiritual commitments as much as the strength of its political institutions.
