Praying about the recession

Reading in the Financial News about Nigerian economy sliding further into recession, it’s heartening to see religious thinkers lending their unique voice to this urgent national issue. All hands must be on deck to find a solution to the economic downturn.

Can we pray about the recession? The Bible provides an answer. II Kings 6: 25 mentions a famine in Samaria so severe that prices had skyrocketed and, unthinkable today, people were boiling their children for food. However, because he trusted God’s word, Prophet Elisha, looked to a higher source for a solution to the olden day recession. Within 24 hours, the picture had changed from economic gloom to boom.

Other instances in the Bible show the wisdom of praying about a recession. In the New Testament, Christ Jesus prayed, looked up to God’s economy, and fed 5000 with five loaves and two fishes (Matt.14). On another occasion, He paid both His and Peter’s taxes with a coin from a fish’s mouth (Matt.17: 24). How is this relevant to the Nigerian economy in 2016?

The human law of economics is based on demand and supply, with mankind’s incessant, insatiable demands straining what are seen as limited resources. God’s economy, however, is based on the law of supply from unlimited divine resources, perfectly meeting the needs of His children. In Isaiah 65: 24 God says, before we call He will answer; and Philippians 4:19 assures that God shall supply all our needs according to His riches. Echoing this in Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy writes, ‘Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.’

But we must play our part.
As we pray about the recession, here are four things we must also do to tap into God’s law of supply and demand and find practical solutions. First, there must be a willingness to work honestly, not corruptly. Second, our desire to serve humanity with our talent must supersede the desire for personal enrichment. As God’s likeness, (Gen.1: 26), everyone possesses useful talent. Third, expectation or trust in God’s provision aligns us with His perfect will, and yields good and practical results. Finally, gratitude for the good already received fits us to receive more, says Eddy.

Let us remember that Jesus says (Luke 6: 38) we must give first – be it our time, talent or treasure – in order to partake of the spiritual ideas God is giving, which, Eddy insists, in turn, give us our daily bread. Praying and working, Nigerians may begin to find that God brings restoration from the years the locust has eaten (Joel 2:25), and economic recession becomes a thing of the past.

• Solanke is a member of Christian Science Committee on Publication for Nigeria, West.