Cry out for justice
Welcome to a Time of Lament devotional journey. In this devotional series, we reflect on some of the most violent countries in sub-Saharan Africa for Christians, crying out to God for justice, healing and hope for our family of Christ in these countries.
This month’s reading
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Psalm 13:1-2
Devotional
Nigeria is the #1 most violent country for Christians.
Today, we lament – calling out to God and naming the pain of our brothers and sisters in Nigeria.
Let’s lament by calling out to God and naming the pain our family is enduring in Nigeria.
O God of justice and mercy, you see the bleeding hearts of your children in Nigeria. You see their pain and trauma. We come to You, heavy with sorrow, pleading on their behalf.
Their pain is deep.
Imagine this…
A husband or son is killed, leaving a wife or mother in sudden, shattering grief and vulnerable to attack.
A mother or daughter is abducted, and her husband or father’s mind is tormented day and night, imagining the horrors she may be enduring.
In Christian communities, violence often follows a cruel pattern: men and boys are killed, women and girls are abducted and abused. Survivors flee their homes and fields with nothing but trauma and loss.
The psalmist’s cry echoes this sorrow. But like him, we turn to hope: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.”
Reflect
Where do you see injustice and feel helpless?
How can lament deepen your own prayer life and grow compassion for those in Nigeria and others facing persecution?
Respond
- Lament the loss of lives and trauma caused by religious violence in Nigeria.
- Pray for healing of survivors and restoration of affected communities.
- Intercede for justice, peace and safety.
- Ask God to strengthen the Church in Nigeria and awaken His people globally to weep with those who weep.