American gospel singer Kirk Franklin stunned fans on Wednesday night by opening Davido’s concert at State Farm Arena in Atlanta with a special prayer for Nigeria.
Before the performance, Franklin took the stage and led the packed arena in a heartfelt prayer, asking for peace, healing, and progress in the country. Footage from the event has since gone viral online.
“Father, I pray that increased mercy can reach our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. The hurt, the death, the trauma, the war, the loss, the killing, the devastation, that can make people break, make people cry, be destroyed, be defeated and live in fear,” Franklin prayed.
He continued, “Help them to remember in the midst of all of these, that you have not given us the spirit of fear. God, we do not know why you allow some painful things. We do not understand… what we do know is that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Everyone in Nigeria right now, no matter how hard life is getting for us, let us remember that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. God, I pray that you will use Davido. Use him Lord. Use him to touch people and change the world. Use him to open doors for the next generation.”
Nigeria has faced rising insecurity in recent weeks, with repeated bandit attacks and mass kidnappings. Several students and staff were abducted from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State, while 25 female students were taken from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, on November 17.
Earlier, a video showing armed men attacking a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church in Oke Isegun, Eruku community, Kwara State, also went viral, raising further concern over escalating violence.
Davido, who performed at the Atlanta show, condemned the attacks and expressed his sympathy with victims and their families, joining other Nigerian celebrities in calling for action.
