 |
| The President, CAC Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele |
By Rachael Oke
The President of Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Samuel Olusegun Oladele, has warned believers against sliding into pagan practices in the name of prayer, cautioning that undue reverence for mountains, historical sites and sacred locations could distract Christians from true worship.
Pastor Oladele gave the warning on Thursday, February 19, during his teaching at the International Convention of Christ Healing Evangelical Church in Ogun State, themed “The Praying Church,” where he spoke on “The Characteristics of a Praying Church,” drawing his main text from Gospel of Luke 18:1.
Referencing the Book of Psalms 24:3, Pastor Oladele addressed the growing emphasis on prayer mountains and sacred sites.
While acknowledging that mountains are mentioned in Scripture and can provide privacy and relief from distractions, he stressed that they possess no spiritual power in themselves.
“Mountains and hills are made and given to us by the Lord, but it is not just about going to prayer mountains; we are talking about ascending the hill of the Lord Himself. Of all the mountains we have today, how many can be pointed as the hill of the Lord? Armed robbers, kidnappers, adulterers and all sort of evil doers go to mountains today to pray,” he stated.
He recalled that although Jesus during His days on earth usually go to the mountain to pray, He never taught that prayers are answered only on prayer mountains.
He also cited the experience of the apostles in the upper room, where the Holy Spirit descended upon them, emphasizing that divine encounters are not confined to specific locations.
Referencing one of the CAC’s founding fathers, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, who ministered across mountainous regions such as Efon Alaaye, Erio and Ido Ajinare, the CAC President noted that while mountains may offer solitude, they should not be idolized.
“There is no way you want to go to some historical places that you don’t have a feeling of holy emotion but that does not mean that you venerate them. Sometimes as humans we are tempted to want to venerate, people, places, and things just as people do to a prophets' tombs, rooms, or garments. These have no special powers in them,” he stressed.
Speaking on exaggerated views surrounding pilgrimages to Jerusalem, Pastor Oladele cautioned believers to guard against worshipping places instead of God.
“If care is not taken, we will fall into the error of paganism,” he emphasised, stressing that true worshippers must worship God in Spirit and in truth.
He noted that in church history, pagan influences sometimes crept into Christianity when converts carried elements of their former beliefs into the Church.
He cited instances where believers prayed at catacombs where martyrs were buried, believing prayers there were more efficacious — a practice he described as a regression into paganism.
Drawing from the story of Jonah, who prayed from the belly of a fish, he argued that location does not determine the efficacy of prayer.
“I am not against people going to prayer mountains, we have so many of them but if you believe that it is until you get to prayer mountains that your prayers will be answered, what then will you say of Jonah's prayer? That is paganism,” he declared.
Pastor Oladele emphasized that posture and location — whether standing, sitting, prostrating or bending — are secondary to the motive of the heart. What truly matters, he said, is approaching the throne of grace in faith, knowing that God’s hands are neither too short nor too heavy to save.
"Where we pray, our posture, whether we stand, sit, prostrate or you bend or whatever, it is the motive that matters,"
"We need to act and pray in faith because Gods hands are not too short neither are His hands heavy. He is very potent and powerful to deliver us. What matters is, just come to the throne of grace and mercy," he added.
Quoting CAC Gospel Hymn 563, “Jesus, where’er Thy people meet, there they behold Your mercy seat,” he reminded believers that they can call on God anywhere — in their cars, on trains, in the air or at sea.
On the content of prayer, referencing Jesus’ teaching in Gospel of Matthew 6, particularly the phrase “in this manner therefore,” he observed that many believers today do not pray according to Christ’s model.
A praying church, he stated, is selfless. Citing the example of reformer John Knox and his passionate prayer for Scotland, Pastor Oladele urged Christians to intercede not only for themselves but for others — including their enemies — in obedience to Scripture.
He also warned against hypocrisy in prayer, recalling how Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for showcasing their religiosity through public prayers.
Explaining what he termed the “law of prayer,” the CAC President urged believers to have a place of communion with God, in line with Christ’s instruction to enter into one’s closet. He clarified that the “closet” could be a room, a mountain, a car, or even a crowded place — as long as the heart is focused on God.
He cited the example of Nehemiah, who prayed silently in the presence of a king without retreating to a mountain or private chamber, reinforcing that God regards motive rather than location.
Highlighting characteristics of a praying church, Pastor Oladele referenced Second Book of Chronicles 7:14, identifying humility as a key attribute. He also pointed again to Book of Psalms 24:3, emphasizing cleanliness of hands and purity of heart.
He called on believers to return to sincere, faith-filled and selfless prayer, free from pagan tendencies, urging the Church to focus on heartfelt communion with God rather than attachment to places or outward forms.