Talking about the spirituality of prayer mountains, different reasons have been given by Christians who go to the mountaintop to pray.
Talking about the spirituality of prayer mountains, different reasons have been given by Christians who go to the mountaintop to pray.
WHY PRAYING ON MOUNTAINS
Prophet Olatunde Osuolale of CAC, Canaanland, Ijegun, Lagos state Nigeria, clarifies that “Just as Jesus found solace and quiet ambience in the mountains when He wanted to pray, so do so many Christians now.
It is not that prayers said on the mountains are answered faster, no. Acolytes of Prayer Mountains seek to set aside all distractions like television, phones, radio, noise, etc. and focus on God for the period they will spend on the mountains.
“Also,” Osuolale said, “some of these Prayer Mountains have a history of covenants which people key into. When Ayo Babalola was praying on each of these mountains, he entered into covenants with God.
On the Mountain at Ikeji Arakeji, the very town where God called him, he asked for a divine call from God and therefore people go there to renew their calls from God.
At the Mountain in Ido Ajinare, there he prayed for 40 days and nights. After the prayers, he sighted a python and was about to run away but God told him not to.
The python crossed him and about four metres away, the python dried up. The covenant there was for power and people go there to ask for power to do the work of ministry.
The Mount at Erio is for mercy, while Mount Ikoyi at Ikire is for ministers of God. This is the reason why people rush there. If it is not working for the acolytes, the culture would have died long ago.”
In his contributions, Dr Isaac Bamideleogo, a seminary teacher in Lagos said there are spiritually significant spots on each of the mountains where people stand or roll on the floor in prayer and have gotten results time and time again.
“Mount Olorunkole has a footprint believed to be that of Angel Gabriel. It has a cave believed to be the place spot through which the angel left the mountain. If there were no signs of followings, patronage of the mountains would have died today.
The majority of the great pastors operating today, politicians, men of wealth and power come to the Prayer Mountains to look at the face of God and they get results.”
Supporting this, Nigeria’s foremost Church growth expert, Rev. Bola Akin John said “Every believer should have a place of prayer, your personal mountain.
It may be in your room, a special place to meet with God- without disturbance and distractions. Every Church should also have a place dedicated to prayers that members can come to pray, seek God in fasting and extended prayers.
It’s the Bible thing to do because “my house shall be called the house of prayers for all nations.” Bishop Bada Funso of EPIC Theological Seminary and Bible College adds that “The beauty of the Mountain Top Experience lies in breaking free from everything that distracts us from God, computers, mobiles, television, etc.
We need to discipline our minds by taking efforts to be focused in prayer. A person after God’s heart must make it a habit to get away from the normal routines to seek God.”
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OPPOSING VIEWS
Some Churches and pastors have however spoken against the culture, saying that believing prayers can only be offered on the Mountain is unChristian and taking Church members for granted.
Reverend Soja Bewarang, Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Plateau state said “It will be wrong to say Jesus made a habit of going to the mountain.
How many times was it mentioned in the Bible that He went to the mountain? He went to the mountain for specific reasons and came down.
INTRODUCTION
PRAYER MOUNTAINS IN AFRICA
ABUSE OF PRAYER MOUNTAINS IN NIGERIA
He did not launch that as a model for us to follow.” Bewarang added that he has never been to the mountain to pray and he would never go there.
Prophet Magnus Otutu of Royal Power Ministries International Inc, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria said “I’ve been to mountains for prayers when I had not understood the message of grace. One in Ghana and one at Osun State, Nigeria.
Right now I don’t go to the mountains for prayer because it’s about seeking the Lord who is in me. I am the Temple of God. He lives in me.
He regards me more than mountains. Though it is good to separate oneself for prayers, staying in a quiet place for meditation and studies.
If such is done at the mountains, there is nothing wrong with it. But it is wrong to believe that only at the mountains you can seek God.”
In his contributions, Pastor Timi Orokoya, aka Telemi, an acolyte of the mountains said mountain adventure is not a ceremony.
It is a personal affair with God, a silent and intimate fellowship. It is not in the location but the purpose.
Unfortunately, people have willingly or ignorantly limited the power and presence of God to the mountains. God is all present, He is everywhere.
I know some people don’t believe in it which is never a sin. As good as mountaineering is, it comes with many dangers if you put your faith in the “Baba Ori Oke” and not God. Some operations in some mountains are rituals.”
COMMENTS