The trouble caused Nigeria by the upsurge in violence in Nigeria has attracted the attention of women who have vowed to work against all forms of violence through prayers. And so recently at the Indoor Sports Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, women from all walks of life, gathered in thousands to pray against violence against humanity, especially as it’s being witnessed in the northern parts of Nigeria.

They also prayed against domestic violence. Apart from praying, the consensus of all the women present at this year’s Awesome Treasure Foundation (ATF) National Prayer Summit was that Nigeria and indeed Nigerians are in dire need of a national identity, which will enable every one to state clearly what it means to be a true Nigerian; else, the ship of state will drift.
The women resolved to pray harder to put an end to the recurring incidents of violent deaths in the country.

Speaking at the event, founder of ATF, Jumoke Adenowo, who also doubles as the spiritual leader and chief host of the prayer summit, opined that recent happenings in the country have shown that the nation is operating on a spiders’ web, which will definitely give way anytime if nothing was done. She identified having a corporate national vision which will help in having a true nation. “We are at a point where the cords of nationhood are more fragile than a spiders’ web.

Until we find a national identity and every one of us can state clearly what it means to be a Nigerian, the ship of state will drift and our haven is not in sight. Until we have a corporate national vision, we don’t have a true nation. The problems we bemoan - the corruption, lack of focus, waste, lack of meritocracy are mere symptoms of a more deep rooted malaise- lack of vision,” Adenowo said.

This is the third annual National Women’s Prayer Summit the women are organising. “Last year, when kidnapping had become a raging epidemic and women lived in constant fear over their children’s safety, our theme was Women Against Kidnapping. We prayed and we saw a definite change. This year, we are coming against violence with the theme, Women against Violence. It’s time for women to register their complete and total opposition to all forms of violence, from that of the terrorist groups to domestic violence against women which has become a silent killer. We are going straight to God who has said the government will be on our shoulders and enforcing spiritually what we desire to see physically. All Nigerian females who have faith in God are welcome. Last year, we had women and even men of various faiths in attendance”.

On her part, Dame Pauline Tallen, former deputy governor of Plateau State, who was guest speaker at the summit, condemned the extent to which violence has gutted the country. According to her, what Nigerians used to read in foreign papers and watch on international news channels now happens here. She called on all mothers to rise and put an end to all forms of violence, especially terrorism. “We as mothers of the nation should be symbols of peace and as such should condemn these acts of violence by coming out of our shell and condemning such acts as well as praying unto God so that the future generation is not completely destroyed”.

Other supporters of the summit are Nollywood actresses and producers, Funke Akindele, AKA Jeniffer, Omoni Oboli, Stella Damasus, Ufuoma Ojenebor and a host of female leading pastors from different churches across the nation.
On why she has decided to join forces with other women to seek the face of God concerning the state of the country, Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus ascribed happenings in the country to ‘end time’ signs, adding that only the Almighty can put a stop to it. “No government can stop violence, no single human can do it alone. It is only God that can stop this violence. Where they are coming from, we don’t know, who is sponsoring them, we do not know, as par the equipment, we don’t know the sponsor or sponsors. It is a sign of the end time. All the things that were written in the Bible are what are happening now. The things happening here also happen in America. There is no country you would go to, that is not faced with one issue or the other. The only thing that can save us is prayer,” Damasus said.

Funke Akindele, better known as Jenifa, on her part is of the opinion that Nigerian women should use the power of prayer more rather talk and condemn only. “The Nigerian woman’s role is to pray, it’s by God grace. It is only God that can touch the hearts of those people behind this violence to put a stop to it. These violence and ungodly behaviours should be stopped by increasing prayers to God, because the battle of the Lord and that our spiritual weapons are not carnal but powerful in the Lord,” Akindele said.

Akindele challenged women to “arise with courage and with a purposeful vision like Deborah who had passion for change (1 Tim. 2:14)” and effect change in society.”
Also lending her voice to the cause, Ufuoma Ojenebor said: “I believe there is an untapped source of spiritual might among women today. Our lives often distract us with our busy work schedules, care for others and home, that we can have very little precious time to pray for the needs around us, one of which is happenings in our country. Many times our prayers are simply a thought of “God help me in this”, “God I need your wisdom”, “God, please be with my child”. All of those matters deeply to the heart of God, yet scripture also encourage us: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous woman matters much.” James 5:16.

“I have experienced the power of what God can do when a group of women choose to establish firm times to pray, alone or as a group, and believed for answered prayer, hence the reason I joined this cause.”
Awesome Treasures Foundation (ATF) is a non-governmental organisation established in 1999 with the aim of raising transformational leaders who are developed into becoming servant leaders. The organisation achieves this aim by helping concerned citizens identify and develop their abilities and deploy them to solve problems in their communities and the nation at large.

Every year ATF organizes several outreach programmes and special project events, with one major event in its calendar being the National Women’s Prayer Summit. These summits are interdenominational meetings of prophetic prayer for all Nigerian females for the release of Nigeria and future generations.
In the past, the event has been graced by special dignitaries including the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, and the First Lady of Ekiti State, Chief Mrs. Bisi Fayemi. Both women were honoured with the ‘Mother in the Nation’ Award for their contributions to ATF and the nation.When a group of passionate women turn their hearts to The Almighty God firmly believing that He longs to answer their heartfelt requests, they certainly want a change.






















Culled from www.sunnewsonline.com