The birth of a new nation -Part 2

Birth pangs precede the birth of every nation. Some nations go through wars, others go through political and social upheavals before a new nation emerges. For us, the birth pangs represent the prayers, the social actions and the sacrifices we have to make before a new Nigeria is born.

Some have described the #EndSARS protests, which reached its apex on October 20 as a “revolution,” while others called it a “game-changer.” Still, others called it a revival. It is doubtful if this is the revival long predicted by the late Rev S. G. Elton and in recent times, by prophet Sanhu Sundar. A revival starts from within the Church, and spreads to the society, leading to genuine personal repentance, and the salvation of souls.

However, the #EndSARS protest has taught us that it is not enough to pray for Nigeria. Prayer must be matched with social action to achieve its desired goal. Not that we didn’t know this, but we waited for the Spirit of God to stir the waters and move on the mulberry tree before we would move. The #EndSARS was God’s “set time” to move.

The women would confirm that birth pangs could last long before delivery takes place. Intercessors must go back to their trenches to sustain the momentum of the protest. Isaiah 66: 9 says, “Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the LORD. “Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb? ” says your God.” We have come to the labour room, the place of birth, and there is no going back until the baby is born.

In Isaiah 37:3, Hezekiah paints this picture of failing strength at a critical hour of birth, “Thus says Hezekiah: ‘This day is a day of trouble and rebuke and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth.” Our strength must not fail us at the place of birth. A pregnant woman does not leave the labour room until the baby is born. Her joy comes when the baby is delivered (John 16:21). God will supply the strength to keep pushing until the baby is born.

Strategic and intense prayers have always preceded meaningful social change. John Wesley said, “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” The process may be slow, but the Christian works according to God’s timing rather than men’s timing. Only a God kind of change can have a long-lasting impact. When Israel groaned before God in Egypt, though it took centuries, God responded at the appropriate time (Exodus 2:23-25).

The period of birth pangs is full of pain, but the pain gives way to joy when the baby arrives. “A woman, when she is in labour, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world” (John‬

The entire world is going through a convulsion at this time with COVID-19 and its attendant effects. Paul, in Romans 8: 18-26, describes three different groaning: The groaning of creation, the human groaning and thirdly, the groaning of the Spirit. The earlier two spasms are taking place now simultaneously in many countries. This is the time to pray for national leaders and people in the nations.

Contact: pastoracukachi@gmail.com