Materialistic prayers weakening church —Ogunfowokan
The General Overseer of Christ Healing Evangelical Church (CHEC), Pastor Samuel Ogunfowokan, has urged Christians worldwide to return to what he described as ‘New Testament biblical prayer,’ warning that an
The General Overseer of Christ Healing Evangelical Church (CHEC), Pastor Samuel Ogunfowokan, has urged Christians worldwide to return to what he described as ‘New Testament biblical prayer,’ warning that an excessive focus on material needs is weakening the spiritual strength of the church.
He spoke with The Nation duringa church’s biannual international convention held recently at its campground in Mowe, Ogun State.
The convention feature bible teachings, drama ministration, ministers workshop, prophetic ministration, marriage and single seminar, business development and song renditions.
Ogunfowokan said the theme of this year’s gathering, ‘The Praying Church,’ was prompted by concerns over declining emphasis on soul-winning and spiritual growth in Christian prayer life.
“Biblical prayer is going down,” he said. “Many of the prayers in our churches today are centred on material things. Jesus did not focus His prayers on cars, promotions or possessions, yet these dominate many pulpits.”
According to him, New Testament prayer, as exemplified by Jesus Christ and the apostles, prioritises the advancement of God’s kingdom and the salvation and spiritual maturity of believers.
Quoting Jesus’ declaration that “the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few,” he stressed that churches must redirect their prayer focus toward evangelism and discipleship.
“How many churches today are burdened about the harvest? Souls are perishing, yet our prayer focus has shifted,” he lamented.
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The cleric recounted an outreach initiative he began after returning from the United Kingdom some years ago. He organised a youth prayer programme titled ‘Unveiling the Eyes of Saul,’ an intercessory effort aimed at praying for Muslims during the Ramadan fasting period.
For three consecutive years, the youths observed 30 days of fasting and prayer annually, asking God to remove spiritual veils and draw Muslims to Christ.
“Little did we know how powerfully God would answer,” he said. “Today, we have converts in our headquarters who once wore hijab on our streets. Some face opposition, but we laboured in prayer before they came. That is biblical prayer.”
Ogunfowokan clarified that his message was not intended as criticism but as a call to realign with scriptural patterns of prayer, particularly those found in the epistles of Apostle Paul.
Referencing Galatians 4:19, he emphasised the need for spiritual travail both for salvation and for Christ to be formed in believers.
“Salvation requires travail in prayer, and after conversion, we must still pray that Christ is formed in them — that they grow in righteousness and bear the fruits of the Spirit,” he said.
He likened spiritual growth to fruit maturing gradually on a tree, noting that it requires intentional nurturing.
The convention, which coincides with the global Lenten season marked by Ash Wednesday, featuredpreaching sessions, seminars, youth and men’s conferences, and empowerment programmes for singles and married couples. Business and financial discussions are also included, though he described them as secondary to the primary focus on prayer.
Responding to whether the timing signals a broader call for Christians to reassess their prayer priorities during Lent, Ogunfowokan described it as providential.
“Nothing happens by coincidence. If the Lenten fast begins and we are focusing on the praying church, then it is relevant. It is an eye-opener,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the convention would rekindle a spirit of intercession globally.
“If the church fails in prayer, it becomes weak and powerless. The Word may be preached, but without prayer and fasting, it lacks transformative power. Prayer is the generator that empowers the Word,” he stated.
Drawing from the Acts of the Apostles, he recalled that Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, which led to thousands of conversions, followed days of concerted prayer by the disciples.
“I am trusting God for a fresh outpouring of the spirit of intercession upon the church worldwide.
“When we pray as we ought, revival will surely visit our world.”
