THE transition into a new year often inspires reflection and hope, and Nigerian church leaders are no exception when setting a spiritual and moral agenda for the nation’s leaders and citizens.
The Tribune Church shares insights from various church leaders reflecting on spiritual and societal goals for 2025.
In his New Year message, the primate of The Church of The Lord Worldwide and President of the World Council of Churches for Africa, Most Reverend (Dr) Rufus Ositelu, urged governments, leaders, and individuals to prioritize global cooperation and reconciliation as essential pathway to peace and sustainable development in 2025 and beyond.
In his message entitled, “Walking in Faith,” the church leader emphasised the moral and spiritual urgency of bridging divides and fostering unity in the face of global crises.
“The world stands at a defining moment. Conflicts, economic instability, and environmental challenges threaten humanity’s progress, but through faith, reconciliation, and cooperation, we can restore hope and rebuild lives,” he said.
Ositleu also called on world leaders and governments to embrace justice, integrity, and fairness in governance, emphasising that leadership is a divine calling to serve humanity and protect the vulnerable.
“Leadership must not be driven by selfish ambitions. We stand at a critical juncture in human history. The world is plagued by divisions, conflicts, and crises that threaten our shared future. Now is the time for nations to rise above differences and embrace reconciliation as a pathway to lasting peace and prosperity,” he added.
He urged policymakers to prioritize poverty alleviation, social equity, and environmental stewardship as key pillars for building a sustainable and peaceful world.
“As we step into the New Year, I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is with great joy and a heart full of gratitude that I welcome you into this season of hope, renewal, and divine possibilities.
“Walking in faith involves not only believing in what is unseen but also trusting in God’s timing, His promises, and His unwavering love. As the Scriptures remind us in Hebrews 11:1, ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” he stated.
He emphasized that faith would be the anchor in the year ahead, assuring fear and doubt. He encouraged believers to walk boldly and courageously, confident that with God, all things are possible.
“Faith is not the absence of fear or doubt, but the assurance that God is with us, even in times of uncertainty. We must be bold and courageous, knowing that with God, all things are possible,” said Ositelu.
He encouraged everyone to grow in prayer, seek God’s presence continually, and hold fast to His promises, understanding that the walk of faith is always fruitful.
“The journey of faith is not always easy, but it is always fruitful. May the coming year be filled with testimonies of God’s faithfulness as we walk in faith, trusting that He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine,” he added.
The General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, also called for increased prayers to successfully navigate the events of the New Year and specifically to “pray off new infirmities” in the year ahead.
He described the year as one filled with unusual conflicts, where those lacking glory will strive to overshadow those who possess it. The dark stars will attempt to eliminate the shining stars, the tail will seek to contend with the head, the thief will confront the owner, and those uncircumcised will target the circumcised.
“It will be a year of strange battles, during which prayerlessness will be extremely dangerous. You need to pray against new afflictions in the New Year, which will be a year of restoration for many, and the Lord will expose false individuals.”
He warned of potential tragedy for married men who engage with “strange women,” urging the people of God to forgive those who wrong them.
The esteemed preacher characterized the year as one of restoration and deliverance.
Olukoya delivered these prophecies during the 2024 Pray Your Way Into 2025 Cross-Over and Prosperity Night Service, held at the crowded Prayer City along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He shared three pieces of advice for successfully navigating the New Year.
“Miracles come to those with open eyes. When one’s eyes are closed, challenges arise, especially in the New Year.
“Christians are encouraged to engage in focused prayers to navigate the year 2025. The story of David and Goliath exemplifies this, showing that David relied on spiritual strength rather than physical power to defeat his opponent.
It was emphasized that the only language demons understand is the language of fervent prayers. The motto for the prayer and deliverance ministry this year is “2025: My Year of Power and Undeniable Victory.”
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, urged the Bola Tinubu-led government, organizations, and individuals to transition from merely providing palliative measures to developing more effective strategies for empowering underprivileged citizens.
He highlighted the responsibility of improving the quality of life for Nigerians through intentional empowerment policies, which should also be a priority for the organized private sector.
He stressed the importance of the government creating a better environment for businesses to thrive and ensuring that Nigerians receive improved services.
He encouraged Nigerians to express gratitude to God despite the challenges they face, reminding them that many others are less fortunate and have not survived the hardships of life in 2024.
The situation regarding living standards has worsened for many, making survival a common struggle, as illustrated by the scenes on the streets of towns and cities.
He urged Nigerians not to lose hope or trust in God, emphasizing that these qualities are essential for taking the necessary actions to address the distressing challenges faced by many.
He emphasized that governments at all levels need to perform much better in 2025 than they have so far to tackle the high poverty rates in the country and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.
Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos State and Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), urged Nigerians to remain optimistic about the nation’s economy, believing that better days are truly ahead and that nothing can impede this progress.
General Superintendent of the Holy Spirit Mission, Bishop Charles Ighele, encouraged Nigerians to prioritize godliness while seeking blessings. He emphasized that God honors and blesses those who make kingdom culture their highest priority.
“My appeal to Christians is that, while we should desire miracles and various blessings, our foremost desire should be to seek the Kingdom (the government) and God’s righteousness in our areas of ability, rather than putting the pursuit of miracles first.
“In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus mentions that it is the pagans who place such things at the top of their priorities. We should act as His ambassadors and partners in establishing His Kingdom (His Government) until all earthly governments fall under the authority of Jesus Christ, as noted in Revelation 11:15 and Revelation 21.
“I urge Christians to enjoy the season with whatever they have but to rejoice even more in the truth that they are now recognized as the sons of God. They have been deemed worthy to engage in Kingdom expansion work, and their names are written in the Book of Life.”
The primary concern for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu since he took office has been to see Nigerians smile again. Our hopes have been dashed for too long by successive governments. To change this narrative, it is necessary to implement hard decisions and policies that will stop the downward spiral of the nation’s economy—something that everyone, including the opposition, agrees must be done, yet no one has had the political will and courage to act.
Despite the unpopular nature of these decisions, his commitment to sacrificial leadership and determination to fight for the common man appear to be yielding positive results, encouraging cautious optimism and renewed hope. Today, we see indicators that these policies are having the desired effect, and while the benefits may seem tangible now, their impact will be significantly felt by 2025.
He also expressed that the positive outlook for the economy is especially uplifting as Christians in Nigeria join the rest of the world in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
“It is not merely a coincidence that the gradual yet significant turnaround of the nation’s economy is occurring at such an opportune time. This positive change reflects the resilience of Nigerians, the majority of whom have remained steadfast in their support for the current government, actively praying and working hard to help bring about this change.
The cleric urged Christians to show greater compassion, stating, ‘Christians across the country must be willing to give sacrificially and be intentional about it, as this is what God expects from us. Sharing what we have, no matter how small, to bring joy into the lives and homes of others should be central to our celebrations during this time.’
He reassured that those currently on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as well as those preparing for the journey, are focused on fervently praying for the ‘full manifestation and sustainability of the positive developments in the nation’s economy and every other aspect of our lives as Nigerians.’
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