Lagos – Apostle Emmanuel Iren of Celebration Church International has urged Christians to match their prayers with practical godly living, including responsible civic duties such as voting with wisdom and kingdom values.
Speaking during the church’s Faith Conference 2026 held at the Celebr8 Centre in Ikeja on April 3rd and 4th, Pastor Iren preached on the role of rising faith in everyday life. He emphasized that believers cannot pray for God’s kingdom to come while supporting leadership that contradicts kingdom principles.
“You are praying for God’s kingdom to come, yet you are voting for wicked politicians,” the apostle declared, challenging Christians to think institutionally rather than only individually when making choices that affect the nation.
The two-day conference, centered on faith rising from the empty tomb of Jesus Christ, drew hundreds of participants. It featured powerful sessions on revelation, transformation, and practical Christianity, with guest ministers including Pastor Poju Oyemade and worship expressions led by ministers like Godswill Oyor. Many attendees described the atmosphere as spiritually charged and transformative, especially as the Easter season highlights the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
A clip from the message has since gone viral on social media, sparking mixed reactions. Some Christians praised it as a timely call for faith to influence public life ahead of future elections, while others questioned whether pastors should emphasize politics alongside spiritual matters.
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The discussions reflect broader conversations in Nigeria’s megachurches about how the resurrection power of Christ should shape believers’ engagement in society – not as an escape from the world, but as light and salt within it.
The Faith Conference continues in other cities, with sessions scheduled for Port Harcourt on April 10th–11th and Abuja on April 17th–18th.
As Nigeria marks Easter this weekend, remembering the death, burial, and victorious resurrection of Jesus, many believers are reflecting on what it truly means to live out that same resurrection life in their daily decisions, workplaces, communities, and national responsibilities.
