Lenten Season – Day 17 – Very Rev. Prof. Konyinsola Àjàyí, SAN

 

*March 21 – Day 17: PRAYER FOR THE WORLD TO RETURN TO GOD*

 

Lord God Almighty, the Ancient of Days, the Eternal Majesty who was, who is, and who is to come. The heavens declare Your glory, and the earth trembles at the sound of Your voice. You, O Sovereign Lord, who set the foundations of the world in wisdom and stretched out the heavens by Your command, You see the plight of the nations.

 

You see kingdoms built on wickedness, rulers who have exalted themselves above Your truth, and a world that drifts further from Your presence, seeking after vanity and forsaking the path of righteousness. But You, O Lord, who judge the nations and weigh the hearts of men, are full of mercy. Though darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, Your light still shines!

 

And so, Father, in the power of Your holiness, stretch forth Your mighty hand and call the nations back to You. Tear the veil that blinds them. Shake the foundations of every false altar. Uproot the thrones of deceit and break the chains of iniquity. Let all who have rejected You and bow to the gods of power, greed, and pride behold Your glory and fall before You in repentance. Let them know, O Lord, that there is none besides You—none before, none after, none above, none equal. You alone are worthy of worship and praise!

 

Have mercy, O God, on the peoples who have turned away from You, that You may not consume them in their rebellion. Please do not allow them to be lost in the depths of their own destruction.

 

Let the Sun of Righteousness rise upon them, bringing healing in His wings. Let the wind of Your Spirit breathe new life into dry bones so those spiritually dead may yet live again. By the same power that raised Christ from the dead, awaken nations that have fallen into the sleep of death. Resurrect souls that have been buried in deception. Redeem those who have wandered far from the path of truth. Do not let them perish in the darkness, but draw them into the glorious light of Your presence. Let them see the price that was paid for their salvation. Let them understand the depth of Your love poured out through the blood of Christ, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. O Lord, restore what has been lost. Redeem what has been defiled. Let those who sit in the shadow of death behold the light of Your kingdom. Let those who are enslaved by falsehood hear the voice of the Shepherd calling them home. May every nation, every ruler, every heart be confronted with the truth of Your dominion.

 

Let those outside the fold of Christ be gathered into Your household so they may also know the power of Your grace and the beauty of Your holiness. Let Your word go forth like fire, Your glory cover the earth, and righteousness springs up like a mighty flood. LORD, do not hold back Your mercy! It is high time the nations trembled and returned to You!

 

Let it be done according to Your will, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and King.

 

Amen.

 

 

 

*Patriarch’s Note.*

 

*KEY BIBLE VERSES*

 

*March 21 – Day 17: PRAYER FOR THE WORLD TO RETURN TO GOD*

 

1. *2 Chronicles 7:14*

 

*_“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”_*

 

2. *Isaiah 55:6-7*

 

*_“Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon._*

 

3. *James 4:8*

 

*_“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”_*

 

4. *Ezekiel 18:30*

 

*_“Therefore, I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, turn from all your offences, so sin will not be your downfall.”_*

 

5. *Matthew 11:28-30*

 

*_“Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”_*

 

 

God’s Beloved, as we unite in this earnest prayer *for the world to return to God*, let us take heart in the knowledge that His mercy is profound and His willingness to forgive knows no bounds. The Scriptures remind us that our God seeks not only to judge but also to redeem and restore. Every nation and every heart can experience transformation when they earnestly turn towards Him.

 

This is a call to humility and repentance, a reminder that even in the depths of despair, there is a path back to the light. The promise of healing and restoration is extended to all who seek His face and forsake their wicked ways. May we, along with all the nations, recognise the urgency of drawing near to God, for we find solace, strength, and a renewed purpose in His presence.

 

As we intercede for the healing of our world, let us be the vessels through which His love and truth flow, shining as beacons of hope and righteousness amidst the darkness.

 

*_May the power of prayer stir hearts to action and draw the wayward back into the embrace of the Father, in Jesus Christ’s Name._*

 

Amen.