Using Nigeria as a case study, let’s delve into the essence of true worship.

Nigeria is often regarded as one of the most prayerful nations, possibly even globally.

For years, I’ve believed Nigerians serve God more fervently than others. However, recent reflections have led me to question if this is indeed true worship.

One striking observation is that many who lead prayers merely announce topics, stirring up the congregation to pray, while they themselves rarely engage in it.

Have you noticed this? Prayer has become more of a show — an event where people reunite, catch up, and engage socially during what should be sacred moments.

Imagine someone “praying” — but stopping mid-prayer to greet an arriving friend . Is that truly prayer?

Then, let’s consider the prayer points themselves.

How many times do we find ourselves praying for money, basic needs, or even that the power company would provide electricity?

Shouldn’t we be deeply concerned that we are praying for such basics?

This isn’t genuine worship; it’s a symptom of a mindset shaped by scarcity and fear.

The underlying issue is a slave mentality! We’ve been conditioned to beg for everything, even the essentials that are our basic rights.

The state of our economy, for example, won’t be transformed by fervent prayers alone. We need purposeful, intentional leadership that’s focused on creating change.

As citizens, we should demand accountability, but instead, we’re encouraged to see our rights as privileges granted by those in power.

When leaders fail, we resort to pleading in prayer instead of boldly standing up for change.

We must also redefine what we consider miraculous.

Owning a car or building a house shouldn’t be elevated as “miracles.” These are achievable rights.

True miracles transcend the mundane — they reveal God’s power in ways that are beyond human reach.

Imagine a Nigeria where basic needs are met by a functioning system!

Church attendance might drop, not out of neglect, but because people’s faith would no longer be driven by desperation.

This would reveal whether we truly worship God or if we’ve only been worshipping out of necessity.

True Worship of The LORD is never need-driven or poverty-driven. It’s love-driven.

I don’t pray because I lack; I pray because I love The LORD.

When you’re in love, you want to be with the One you love, and in that place of Communion, True Worship is born.

 

~ Mark Cyril

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Author, teacher, motivational and conference speaker, Pastor Mark Cyril is the international President of CYRIL MARK WORLD EVANGELISM – an independent ministry taking the message of the cross across the Nations turning many in their numbers to salvation through Jesus Christ. He is also the Senior Pastor of Revelation Apostolic Community; an apostolic and Prophetic Word based ministry in Abuja the capital city of Nigeria – West Africa.

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