Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Syncretic Tendencies in Selected Contemporary Prayer Practices Among Christians in Nigeria

Felix O Ajedokun, PhD

Abstract

Prayer is an indispensable part of religious beliefs and practices. It is a means of spiritual communion with God. In Christianity, prayer facilitates the spiritual connection between Christians and God. Prayer gatherings and contents in the churches in Nigeria mirror the understanding of the spiritual leaders and their followers about prayer. The contemporary prayer practices among Christians in Nigeria reflect a blend of biblical understanding and emotional display. The prevailing social and economic challenges often influence emotion-laden prayer practices. Poverty, desire for healing and miracles, unhealthy rush for material things and the craving for fame are some of the factors motivating weird practices in prayer meetings. The contents of prayers frequently reveal a tie with their cultural and religious backgrounds. The cultural and religious affiliation predisposes them to syncretic practices. Syncretism often leads to unethical and unbiblical dispositions that are inimical to biblical Christianity. Therefore, this paper examines the meaning and perceptions of syncretism. It also presents the biblical and theological views of syncretism, an analysis of syncretic tendencies in selected prayer practices among Christians in Nigeria, caution, and a call to biblical Christianity and prayer engagements.

Keywords

SyncretismprayerChristianNigeria

References

Aben, A. Tersur. African Christian Theology: Illusion or Reality. Jos: Limitless Heights Publisher, Adeagbo, A. John. Evaluation of Syncretic Practices in Contemporary Christian Prayer Patterns and Its Theological Implications for Baptist Ministers. Master of Theology Theses, The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, 2024. Adeleye, Bamidele. African Literature: An Anthology of Criticism and Theory. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2001. Adeniji, D. A. Ofo Rere. Ibadan: University Press, 1980. Ajani, O. Ezekiel. “Enemies of My Father’s House Die by Fire: Reflection on the Response of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries to African Cosmology of Evil,” Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, xvii(3), 39. Bellah, N. Robert. Religion in Human Evolution: From the Palaeolithic to the Axial Age. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2011. Beyer, Peter. Religion and Globalisation. Aldershot: Sage Publications, 1998. Breedlore, Thomas. Being Wounded: Finitude and the Infinite in Jean Lous Chretien and Gregory of Nyssa.” Modern Theology, 39(3), 2023, 413-434. Burke, Peter. Cultural Hybridity. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2009. Carmo, M. Claudio. "Culture, Language and Knowledge about the Syncretism," in Poluphonic Anthropology –Theoretical and Empirical Cross–Cultural Fieldwork. Massimo Canevacci, ed. 2012, 35. Casanova, Jose. Public Religion in the Modern World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994. Day, John. Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan. London: Sheffield Academic Press Ltd., 2002. Dunahoo, H. Charles. Making Kingdom Disciples. Phillipsburg: P & R Publishing, 2005. Edwards, Jonathan. "The Distinguishing Marks of Works of the Spirit of God," in Edward Hickman, ed.. The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 1. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1974. Ezenweke, Elizabeth and Kanu Ikechukwu. “Perspectives of Syncretism and Its Modern Trend: A Case of Christian and African Traditions,” UNIZIK Journal of Arts and Humanity, 13(2), 2012, doi.org/10.4314/ujah.ci31i3.4 Fabia, Johannes. Time and the Other: How Anthropology Makes Its Object. New York: Columbia University Press, 2009. Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books, 1973. Gehman, J. Richard. African Traditional Religion. Bukuru: African Christian Textbooks, 2010. Gonzalez, L. Justo. The Story of Christianity, vol. 1. London: Harper Collins Publishers Ltd., 2010. Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. England: Inter- Varsity Press, 2000. Hanaf, Afeez. “I Regret Being Used by Pastor Okafor, Others to Stage Fake Miracles: Woman Arrested for Controversial Healing,” The Punch Newspaper, March 14, 2020. punch.com. Henry, Matthew. “Leviticus,” Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible. Peabody: Hendrickson Publisher Inc., 1991. Kato, H. Byang. Theological Pitfalls in Africa. Kenya: Evangel Publishing House, 1975. Magness, Jodi. Stone and Dung, Oil and Spit: Jewish Daily Life in the Time of Jesus. Grand Rapids: Wm B. Erdmans Publishing Co., 2011. Mawusi, Amevenku Frederick and Boaheng Issac. "Use of Imprecatory Prayer in Contemporary African Christianity: A Critique. www.research gates.net/publication/341371885,2015. Meshack, O. Mbago. “Syncretism in African Christian Mission: Assessing the Role of Historical- Critical Method of Hermeneutics.” The International Journal of Humanity & Social Studies, 8(12), 2020. 1-12. Moody, Josh. The God-Centered Life: Insights from Jonathan Edwards for Today. Leicester: Inter Varsity Press, 2006. O’Donovan, Wilbur. Introduction to Biblical Christianity. Ilorin, Nigeria: Evangelical Fellowship, Ogunewu, A. Michael. Essentials of Spiritual Maturity and Other Messages of the Kingdom. Ikeja: The Amen Mission Inc., 2014. Olukoya, K. Daniel. Basic Prayer Pattern. Lagos: Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Press, Oyelakin, O. Clement. “Challenges of Religious Syncretism on the Vibrant Spirituality of African Christianity: Implications for Theological Institutions.” Ogbomoso Journal of Theology, xxvii(1), 2012, 76. Penchansky, David. Twilight of the Gods: Polytheism in the Hebrew Bible. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2005. Rabasa, Jose. Without History – Sabaltern Studies: The Zapatista Insurgency and the Spectres of History. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1998. Sangodare, Ayinla and Ayodeji Aremu. “Re-Interpreting Yoruba Incantation: An Example of Fryean Apocalyptic and Demonic Imagery,” AlterNatives: An International Journal of Indigenous People, 18(1), 2022, 75. Sanou, Boubakar. “Responding Biblically and Missiologically to the Threat of Religious Syncretism,” Journal of Adventist Mission Studies, 9(2), 2013, 5. Schmidt-Leukel, Perry. Transformation by Integration: How Inter-Faith Encounter Changes Christianity. London: Oxford University Press, 2009. Stewart, Charles. “Syncretism and Its Synonyms: Reflection on Cultural Mixture” www.jstor/stable /pdf/ 1566236.45, Tertullian. “The Prescription against Heretics,” in Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, eds. Ante-Nicene Fathers vol. 3. Buffalo, New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885. Umoh, Dominic. “Superstition and Syncretism: Setbacks to Authentic Christian Practices in Africa,” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 2(7), 2013, 7. Vanderveer, Peter. The Modern Spirit of Asia: The Spiritual and the Secular in China and India. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2004.

More Articles from RESEARCH JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND CULTURAL STUDIES

?abi’un Da Suke Na?asa Mazakuta (Practices That Impair Male Sexual Health)

Author: Dalhatu Abubakar Zauro PhD, Dr. Shehu Adamu Argungu PhD, Lauwali Aliyu PhD, TSAKURE, Wasu ?abiu, da suke Na?asa Mazakuta., Gyara kayanka, ba zai zama sauke mu raba ba

Cutar Sanyi Da Magungunanta A Gargajiyance (Gonorrhea and It’s Cure in Hausa Traditional Medicines

Author: Lauwali Aliyu PhD, Shehu Adamu PhD, ?alhatu Abubakar Zauro PhD, Tsakure, . Gabatarwa

Effective Strategies for an Educational-Didactic Work in Motor Activities Carried Out at School

Author: Davide Di Palma, Lorenzo Donini, Giuseppe Madonna, & Antonio Ascione