Prayer Against Enemies in African Indigenous Churches

1.1 Introduction

Prayer is one important and ubiquitous facet of religion, which articulates the myriad religious emotions and perspectives that govern humanity's interactions with the holy or sacred. Prayer sets the religious experience apart from phenomena that are similar to or approach it, such sensations of aesthetic or religious significance. As part of that desire, prayer is associated with a presence that is a volitional activity cognizant of realizing its higher aim rather than an abstract conviction or an intuitive emotion. "Talking to God" is the simplest way to define prayer. Prayer is direct communion with God; it is a form of serious thinking or meditation. It is the means by which the human soul communicates with the Lord, the soul's creator.²

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

1.2 Background of Study

The modern Christian churches spend long days and nights in prayer, but the bulk of these days and hours are devoted to condemning certain alleged individuals who are seen as having a demonic agenda or purpose to destroy, thwart, frustrate, or delay opportunities and blessings intended for the person, community, or nation state. These individuals may be considered as physical or spiritual enemies. Before all else, these adversaries are held accountable for negative things like persistent failures, postponed miracles and breakthroughs, purported blessings, and access to chances that never materialize. The enemies are said to be hired goons from Satan and witchcraft, acting within strongholds or domains and working in tandem with friends, family, or other relatives to disrupt the good that God has intended for each person's life. Church focus has steadily veered away from its primary objective in an effort to counter the actions of these perceived foes. Some practices that were previously thought to be exclusive to the priests and priestesses of specific African indigenous religions have been introduced as a result of this. These practices have been overly popularized by so-called prophets and prophetesses associated with contemporary Christian churches. These practices include the use of objects, invocations, and practices.

Nowadays, a lot of people think of the church as a structure. This is not how the church is understood in the Bible. The Greek term ekklesia, which means "an assembly" or "called-out ones," is where the word "church" originates. The word "church" refers to individuals more than it does to a physical structure. It is odd that most individuals will name a building if you ask them what church they attend. Jesus tells us that we must pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Prayer makes room for the correcting voice of God. As we pray for God’s will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), the contrariness of our own wills is revealed. Prayerlessness clouds our hearts to the temptations surrounding us and leads to further sin. Prayer is our lifeline and connection to God. Romans 16:5 says “…greet the church that is in their house.” Paul refers to the church in their house not a church building, but a body of believers.

Christ, as its head, is the body, or church. "And God set him over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way," according to Ephesians 1:22-23. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour from the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:2) until His second coming comprise the body of Christ. According to Mark 3:35 and John 13:35, Jesus Christ intended for His Church to serve as a display for God's family on earth, demonstrating to the world's heathen inhabitants how God has arranged His family around Himself and how they take care of one another.

The church's goal is to get to know and love Christ to the point that it is able to passionately and truthfully represent Him and His principles to the outside world and answer people's most basic needs in the same way that He would. ¹⁰ Imprecatory prayer evolved as one of the prayer modes. One of the prayer practices used by African Christian churches is now implicit prayer. Although there are references to this kind of prayer throughout the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament, the practice does not align with Jesus teaching that "love your neighbour and hate your enemy." That being said, Matthew 5:43–44 states, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Therefore, in Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Lagos State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Prayer Against Enemies in African Indigenous Churches.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the misuse of these prayers is causing the church to get entangled in trivial issues, some of which put at risk the importance and necessity of getting sound biblical teaching and training. in the end, the church is forced to consider the inconsequential and nuanced actions that uphold its baseness.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the impact of Prayer against Enemies in African Indigenous Churches using Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Lagos as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To determine extent of African Indigenous Churches pray against enemies;
2. To investigate the factors inhibiting African indigenous churches from praying;
3. To find out the benefit of praying against enemy in the society; and
4. To proffer solution that will help reduce the challenges impacting prayer against enemies among African Indigenous Churches.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What is the extent of African Indigenous Churches pray against enemies?
• What is the benefit of praying against enemy in the society?
• What are the factors inhibiting African Indigenous Churches from praying?