#prayeralert: Hope for Nigeria – Boko Haram Announces CeasefireLaura Gish - 24 Oct 2014

A breakthrough for Nigeria lies on the brink.

For decades Nigeria has suffered from the violent acts and fighting. This may be the best news they have heard in decades.

The Nigerian presidential aid stated that Boko Haram announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday. The government has responded and the military has also declared a ceasefire. Along with this, Boko Haram agreed to release the 200 schoolgirls they had kidnapped about six months ago. 

Agreements for the release of the girls will be determined in a meeting next week in Chad’s capital. The government is not agreeing to grant territory to Boko Haram, but they will not reveal what concessions they are making. They did say, however, they are getting closer to the release of all groups being held in captivity. 

Nigerian citizens are skeptical of this agreement. Many will only be reassured when the violence stops and the hostages are freed. 

Please continue to cover this situation in your prayers:

• Pray the government officials will act wisely and continue to protect their citizens from the violent acts of Boko Haram. 
• Pray that this agreement would not be broken and that Boko Haram would follow through with the statements about the hostages’ release and the ceasefire. 
• Pray that the girls would be protected during their release and that they will be safely returned to their families.
• Pray for the citizens to put their hope in the Lord and His promises. Ask God to use the believers in Nigeria to be conduits of Jesus’ light. 

All images are used by permission in accordance with commons copyright license terms: Feature image is a derivative of the images 'Port Harcourt, Nigeria: Population Density and Low Elevation Coastal Zones' by SEDACMaps  and '241 Nigeria mountains' by DAVID HOLT