by There is a dangerous point at which faith can cease to be a source of moral courage and become an escape from moral responsibility.
“God will fix it” can be a beautiful expression of faith when it inspires action.
But it can become a dangerous excuse when it replaces action.
Prayer is not a substitute for responsibility.
Faith is not a licence for silence.
And divine sovereignty is not a certificate of approval for human wickedness.
No wonder there has been so much religious activity without a corresponding commitment to godly conduct around the world.
We build magnificent places of worship, organise massive religious gatherings and recite powerful prayers, yet some of the same people return to society and participate in corruption, vote for incompetence, defend injustice, patronise criminals, manipulate institutions and reward political mediocrity.
What then are we asking God to repair?
And what are we ourselves refusing to repair?
If you must seek God’s intervention, go collectively and with a selfless mindset.
Pray for the wisdom, courage and strength to replace a bad government that has neglected its responsibilities.
Pray for leaders who will regard public office as a trust rather than an opportunity for personal enrichment.
Pray for institutions that will serve the people.
Pray for citizens who will have the courage to demand accountability.
Pray for a society in which justice is not purchased, employment is not distributed through connections, security is not a privilege and public resources are not treated as private property.
But do not ask God to grant personal favour while ignoring the collective conditions that make injustice possible.
Do not ask God to give your unqualified relative the job that a more qualified person deserves, and then complain that the country is not working.
Do not ask God to protect your community while supporting the political system that weakens its security institutions.
Do not ask God to punish corrupt leaders while defending corruption when it benefits your own side.
And do not blame God for what human beings have created, permitted and refused to correct.
God cannot be blackmailed.
God does not need to be blamed for the failures of His creation.
Perhaps the harder truth is this:
Sometimes, what we call waiting on God is actually waiting for God to do what He has entrusted human beings to do.
Government is not God.
Leaders are not God.
Political parties are not God.
And citizens are not helpless spectators in the affairs of their own society.
We have responsibilities.
They have responsibilities.
And where both fail, prayer should not become an excuse for silence.
Stop blaming God for human failure.
Stop sending Heaven the bill for what humanity has done.
STOP BLAMING GOD.
Olanrewaju Ajiboye is a Teacher of Life
