CAN declares nationwide prayer over ‘Christian genocide’

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has directed churches across country to observe a one-day nationwide prayer session next month over ‘Christian genocide’ in the West African nation.

This was contained in a circular dated Thursday and signed by CAN’s general secretary, Samson Fatokun, in which the Christian body urged pastors in Nigeria to set aside Sunday, December 7, 2025, to offer prayers against what the association has reiterated as targeted killings of the Nigerian Christian population.

“As part of the resolutions of the 4th Quarter Meeting of CAN National Executive Council held in Jos, Plateau State on the 18 November 2025, I am directed by the CAN President His Eminence, Archbishop (Dr.) Daniel C. Okoh, to inform all church leaders and pastors of the declaration/observance of a one-day nation-wide prayer against the ongoing Christian Genocide in the country,” the circular said.” “The prayer is scheduled to hold on Sunday 7th of December, 2025, in all Christian Church denominations in Nigeria.”

In addition, the association directed Christians to pray on five main points, including divine intervention to end Christian killings in Nigeria, resettlement of displaced churchgoers, a stop to the activities of terrorists, heavenly wisdom for political decision makers and restoration of peace in the country.

CAN was one of the first religious institutions to publicly acknowledge the situation in Nigeria as a ‘Christian genocide’, particularly in northern Nigeria, while calling for global action to tackle the problem.

“Over the years, CAN and the wider Christian community have worked tirelessly to draw attention, both nationally and internationally, to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” the body said in a statement last month.

“The Association has established mechanisms for recording incidents of religiously motivated killings, engaged with international partners, written to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and hosted global Christian organisations such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement.”