Crisis retards nation building but prayers rebuild – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that constant crisis retards nation’s development but with constant prayers and sacrifices, nation with challenges can be rebuilt.
He said this at the fifth Presidential Prayer Breakfast programme, where he also used the occasion to commend both former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and former Head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, for their extreme patriotism  and  believe in the country, noting that should every leader at whatever level emulate them, Nigeria will be better for it and reach its destination faster.

Jonathan who did not hide his excitement with the large turn out of invitees especially since his government was winding down, stressed the importance of prayers. He recalled an instance in the Bible where Nehemiah with prayer and sacrifice rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem that hadbeen destroyed and her people taken captive.
He said, “We are all here  because we believe in the power of prayers in nation building. The essence of presidential prayer breakfast is to call on all Nigerians to come together and pray. When you talk about  building the country, you can relate to Nehemiah who wanted to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem after the captivity. We knew what Nehemiah did even before he confronted the king, he prayed.  And every step he prayed and he succeeded in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem..post by expdonaloaded.blogspot.com
“For us to build Nigeria we need these prayers, this should be captioned presidential breakfast prayers‎ comprising all aspects of prayers for us to rebuild our nation. Yes, we have challenges as a nation, but every other nation passes through challenges. I remember in 2009 when I visited the Nordic countries, they told me they were celebrating 200 years of peace that has enabled them to develop.  Nigeria was 49 years as an independent nation in 2009.
“If the Nordic ‎countries that is well developed technologically and otherwise can face crisis, it means crisis really retards development. We have challenges, today we are talking about Boko Hharam in the North, kidnapping in Souh South, South East. Atimes, you are forced to think that the nation is ending, definitely this country will overcome these challenges. That is the reason for these prayers. Just like prayers helped Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, our constant prayers will help us rebuild this nation.
“We will continue to pray for the country and of course, we pray for  the incoming government and also pray  for  us who are leaving to have the opportunity to serve humanity in different phases”.
Jonathan again seized the occasion to thank Nigerians for the opportunity and privilege to serve from state to federal level for six years.