Commitment to Spiritual Vigilance in Media Practice

Christian media group, Journalists For Christ (JFC) International Outreach, has charged journalists and media professionals to embrace fervent prayer, spiritual vigilance, and godly living while discharging their professional responsibilities.

The charge was delivered during the organization's October 2026 online fellowship, where Dayo Emmanuel, News Editor of National Wire, addressed participants on the theme, "Jesus Pattern of Prayer." The gathering underscored the need for practitioners to anchor their professional routine in steadfast devotion.

Principles of Persistent and Purposeful Prayer

Drawing scriptural references from Luke chapter 18 and Matthew chapter 6, Emmanuel emphasised the importance of persistence in prayer, noting that believers must remain steadfast and avoid becoming discouraged when confronted with personal and national challenges. Reflecting on the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, he urged Christians to approach prayer with perseverance and a deep sense of responsibility.

Emmanuel explained that while God is always ready to listen, believers must remain spiritually attentive to receive divine instructions, comparing the discipline to tuning a radio to the correct frequency. Expounding on the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6, he characterized prayer as a structured process requiring adherence to established spiritual principles.

There is a formula, just like when you are solving a mathematical equation. If you solve it without following the formula, you are not going to get the right result. Any result you get would be wrong because you did not follow the required formula.

— Dayo Emmanuel, News Editor, National Wire

He noted that prayer should begin with reverence and worship before advancing to intercession for God's kingdom and will to be established. Personal needs, he explained, should follow, alongside forgiveness and vigilance against temptation. Emmanuel cautioned media practitioners against allowing career ambitions to overshadow their spiritual life.

It should not just be about meeting deadlines, writing stories and winning awards while failing to live for God.

— Dayo Emmanuel, News Editor, National Wire

Let us spread the gospel and the Jesus in Journalism so that others may know Him.

— Dayo Emmanuel, News Editor, National Wire

Strengthening Fellowship and Newsroom Mentorship

Earlier in the meeting, the President of JFC, Lekan Otufodunrin, highlighted the importance of sustaining the group's monthly fellowship and weekly Wednesday prayer meetings despite logistical constraints that occasionally affect attendance. The session was anchored by Blessing Oladunjoye, publisher of BONews.

Otufodunrin encouraged members to consolidate their fellowship, support colleagues, and expand outreach to younger media professionals who often find it challenging to navigate their faith within secular newsrooms. He recounted an instance where a young female journalist drew courage after discovering a JFC publication in her workplace, proving that faith and professional journalism can effectively coexist.

Let us keep coming and encouraging others.

— Lekan Otufodunrin, President, Journalists For Christ International Outreach

Intercession for National Governance Ahead of 2027

Concluding the fellowship, Pastor David Alabi, Chaplain of the group, led a prayer session dedicated to Nigeria as the nation looks toward the 2027 general elections.

Alabi charged journalists to uphold those in positions of authority in prayer, citing the scriptural mandate to pray for leaders to guarantee peace and stability for the citizenry. He also called for vigilance against harmful counsel and influences that could derail governance, reiterating the necessity of divine guidance and wisdom across all tiers of national leadership.