A Nigerian friend once talked about how his non-Christian father rose every morning to face the sun with his arms outstretched and head held high to say the following prayer:
![]()
"Almighty God of my people,
I stand before you humbled in Your sight. You are our only God. There is none
greater; none before you.
All things belong to You. You give to Your people, and You take from Your
people. You are our provider and You are our judge. Your name is holy and is
spoken in our hearts. No lips shall speak your name, so great are you above all
things. We, Your people, shall keep holy all the days of our lives, for You are
with us all the days of our lives. We shall do nothing to bring dishonor to each
other, or shame upon our house. As we honor You, O God, so we honor ourselves.
We shall not take what is not given to us, and we seek forgiveness if we have
done so.
If I have offended someone I ask
forgiveness.
To those who have offended me, I grant forgiveness.
I shall not speak ill of anyone. I shall not cause anger or take the life of
anyone, even the life of my enemy. I ask forgiveness if I have done so. I grant
forgiveness to those who have done so to me or my people.
I shall not cheat or lie to anyone. If I have done so I ask forgiveness and I
grant forgiveness to those who have done to me or my people.
I shall not be envious of my tribesmen or of others. I shall not seek to have
their possessions. I seek and grant forgiveness.
I shall remain faithful in my marriage. I shall provide for my family as it is
my duty.
I shall bring no woman to shame or take from her that which is not given.
I shall be true to myself as I am true to You, my God, in this life, and I shall
pass on to my children my prayers as we are Your people and You are our God.
Reprinted from Deliverance "Printed" Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 2, February 2002