And why shouldn’t He be when we act like we have a monopoly on His time and resources? It would seem ours is the only nation on earth. That’s why we forever refer things others fix with docile regularity by themselves to Him. This is not about prayer. Prayer is sacrosanct; let that be clear. This is about the God game.

Let’s not duck it; we’re all players in the God game—we all play the God card. Every issue, mundane or significant, is quickly clothed in divine robes. Is it because we’re more superstitious or better yet, ‘religious’ than others? Let’s get back to that later. In the interim, we should ponder why God gave us such abundant resources in every imaginable area, and yet we carryon like retarded beings.

As you know, President Olusegun Obasanjo—as big a culprit as any other in this matter—started us off on this latest round of the God game. ‘God’ll decide on 3rd term—Obasanjo’, the Daily Trust of April 4, 2006 said in its lead. The story had it that Mr President was undecided about seeking a third term in office and would let God decide for him. In addition, he was quoted as having told an American newspaper, “I also believe that God is not a God of abandoned projects, if God has a project, he will not abandon it.” How very convenient for Mr President!

Expectedly, those opposed to the president soon played their hand. For instance, Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, said to the Sunday Sun of April 9, 2006, in reference to the president, “That which you want to do, do it quickly. And whether you are in charge or God is in charge, we will see in this nation.” Pastor Bakare topped that with, “The same God that removed Abacha without even showing a sign is still alive.”

The foregoing are mere samples of what’s been going on. Now where do all these leave the rest of us? With all sides calling on God to help their cause, is it possible that in an almighty fatherly way, it may be prudent to allow the creator’s children to sort themselves out while their father takes a break from their never-ending problems?

While not claiming to be prescient, there is a sense in which this writer perceives that our inclination to drag God into every matter would rightly annoy Our Father who art in heaven. Think about it for a moment: would it not annoy a mere man if his children persist in dragging him into every real or imagined quarrel? Of course, God is not to be considered in humanlike terms, but we were created in His image, weren’t we?

The point, in any case, is that we’re a disgrace to ourselves for failing to harness what God has given us freely—immense human and material resources—to the best possible use. To then turn around and pester the Heavenly Father with every imaginable matter may, on one hand, be interpreted as an unsubtle attempt at blackmail which need not be taken seriously by the Most Supreme Being. On the other hand, it could be that our morbid fear of tomorrow—in literal and figurative terms—may be responsible for our over-indulgence in the God game.

In tandem with Nigeria’s famed ‘religious’ disposition, this leads us back to the substance, or the lack thereof, of superstition. The short of the matter is that whereas others have been to the moon and back; and modern technology has made it possible for us to pepper ourselves with serious and frivolous calls and messages via GSM telephony wherever we may be, we are still an extremely superstitious (some would say mischievous as well!) lot in the most primitive mould. That, at least in part, may explain why we can’t seem to do anything without resorting to some illogical posturing, purporting to be in league with or drawing support from divinity, even when we know we’re in total violation of the precepts guiding whatever practice to which we subscribe.

Talking of superstition reminds your correspondent that he’s been kicking his left foot a lot of late. That’s supposed to mean good luck is in the offing, not so? Well, to be doubly sure, you know who he’s going to take the matter to. And if it’s bad luck, as someone here is suggesting, you know who the matter is still going to for positive intervention.

Meanwhile, those who think it’s cool to brandish God as a superlative ace to daze the other side, more is the pity. God, even if one is merely hazarding, cannot but be tired of an intemperate and unruly nation such as Nigeria.

Moreover, have we forgotten that for all His benevolence and love and patience, the Heavenly Father does get angry too? Perhaps we need to be more in awe of Our Father and show Him due respect by dealing with those things we can deal with ourselves and leaving Him out of it. It would be better for us if we realise this soon enough.

Robot  # 1 | 18.04.2006 21:36

...Read the full article.

Abraxas  # 2 | 19.04.2006 01:51

And why shouldn’t She be, when Nigerians act like they have a monopoly on Her time and resources? It would seem like Nigeria is the only nation on Planet Earth, which, ironically, some religious persons even refer to as “sinful”. That’s why Nigerians forever refer things others fix by themselves to Her. ...Prayer is sacrosanct. ...This is about the God game. Our inclination to drag God into every matter should rightly annoy Our Mother who art in heaven (Hallowed be Her name). Think about it for a moment: would it not annoy a mere woman if her children persist in dragging her into every real or imagined quarrel? Of course, God is not to be considered in humanlike terms, but earth beings were created in Her image, weren’t they? Moreover, have Nigerians forgotten that, for all Her benevolence, love and patience, the Heavenly Mother does get angry too? Perhaps Nigerians need to be more in awe of Our Mother and show Her due respect by dealing with those things they can deal with themselves, and leaving Her out of it. It would be better for Nigerians if they realise this soon enough. Muchas Gracias!

gwobezentashi  # 3 | 19.04.2006 11:16

God has approved extension of OBJ’s tenure - Cleric A cleric, Prophet Rufus Cyrus Judah, has stated that God has approved the continuation of Obasanjo’s government beyond 2007. The man of God, who is based in Idah, Kogi state, disclosed the revelation in a release, also stated that he got the message directly from God on August 28, 2005. According to him, “whoever is aspiring for the seat of president in this country, come 2007, should forget about it because the seat is not vacant. “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency beyond 2007 has been endorsed by my father, JEHOVAH and countersigned by His first child, Rufus Cyrus Judah, formerly known as Prophet Rufus Adeniran Falokun.” TRIBUNE 19/04/2006 Now that is what I call a Sorcerer from the flying pigs school of thought. Kai mallam ka rege mana! - (Haba Oga, softly softly now!) Apparently after a visit from Dr Col Senator Ahmadu Ali of the NPA board sleight of hand fame and Chairman of the PDP, promising $1m and Abuja land, this man of God suddenly started seeing all manner of illusions and hearing delusional voices. Another voice apparently told him that you do not need to contest elections to win. Ewu extension. Aluta! Gwobezentashi

emj  # 4 | 19.04.2006 13:28

The point, in any case, is that we’re a disgrace to ourselves for failing to harness what God has given us freely—immense human and material resources—to the best possible use. To then turn around and pester the Heavenly Father with every imaginable matter may, on one hand, be interpreted as an unsubtle attempt at blackmail which need not be taken seriously by the Most Supreme Being. On the other hand, it could be that our morbid fear of tomorrow—in literal and figurative terms—may be responsible for our over-indulgence in the God game. Crispin, we have indeed failed, we are spoilt children. God have been more than merciful to us. If he had allowed us to suffer like other african countries that are ravaged by war and pestilence, maybe(ori wa a pe wa) we will be awake to our responsibilities. Moreover, have we forgotten that for all His benevolence and love and patience, the Heavenly Father does get angry too? Perhaps we need to be more in awe of Our Father and show Him due respect by dealing with those things we can deal with ourselves and leaving Him out of it. It would be better for us if we realise this soon enough. Anyway let me petition God once more:- Our father who hath in Heaven, hallow be thy name, thy kingdom come thy Will be done--ur Perfect Will i pray for not ur Permissive will. I know that u will not grow tired of our calling on u daily, that is why u are different from Mortals, and becos ur word is yea and Amen, Daddy, i pray that u deliver us from ourselves. Will u please remove the Self-Destruct Mechanism programmed into our lives by the evil one Satan-Amen