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The prayers of Nigerians, he said, will ensure that the incoming government does not make costly mistakes that could adversely impact on Nigerians.
He spoke during the 2015 Presidential Thanksgiving and Inauguration Interdenominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
Jonathan said that when he came on board in 2007, he similarly called for prayers from Nigerians as there were little he could achieve as a mere mortal.
“I thank you for the support and I will call on you to pray for us who are leaving, because probably today is the last day I will speak to you here as the President of Nigeria.
“But you should even pray more for the incoming government because we are now trying to manage our private businesses while they are coming to manage the whole country.
“So they require more prayers because I can make a mistake and it will affect me, but if they make a mistake, it will affect the whole nation. So I call on all of you and all religious bodies to pray for the incoming government to succeed because all what we want as a nation, both Nigerians at home and abroad, is for good government, prosperity, unity and peace. We cannot achieve that without the help of God,” Jonathan stated.
Continuing, he said: “I am quite please today we are here not to celebrate disintegration of this country, but we are celebrating the unity of this country. We are here not for service for mass burial, but we are here having service to inaugurate the new incoming government.
“This being possible because of men and women like you who have been here praying for the country. God has designed everything, ” he said.
He noted that the nation has many reasons to thank God despite some challenges it has faced since amalgamation and independence times.
Recalling that he was in the same church by this period in 2007 as the new Vice President elect under late President Umaru Yar’Adua, he pointed out that the only difference was that then was transition from PDP to PDP government while now is from PDP to APC government.
In his message, the Anglican Primate, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh noted that the thanksgiving and praises on behalf of the first family and the incoming government was a period for counting their blessings and give thanks to God like David did in the Holy Bible in Psalm 103.
According to him, God protected and guided Jonathan throughout his tenure.
He said: “It is the privilege of God that you are going home younger, in good health and with gratitude.
“As you leave office, you are leaving behind a new political attitude that no one’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
He urged Jonathan and the first family to continue to trust in the Lord as the global stage now becomes his jurisdiction for peace promotion.
Okoh called on Jonathan and all Nigerians to forgive all those who have offended them especially in the campaigns and elections period.
He urged Nigerians to thank God for saving the country from evil predictions.
He said: “How many times in this country have we come to a edge as if the country was going to break up and somehow we come out of it.
“Nigerians also rejoice because we are not running helter skelter.
“God saved our country from the prophesy of doom. God saved us. The prophets of doom have been disappointed.” He added
He said that even though Nigeria lacks some basic infrastructure, Nigerians are not hungry.
Stressing that peace is an essential ingredient for development, he urged Nigerians to properly manage the present peace in the country.
He also urged Nigerians to be patient with the incoming government as it takes time to build anything that will endure.
“And so, we appeal to Nigerians to avoid the syndrome of ‘hossana’ today, ‘crucify’ him tomorrow.” He advised
He also appealed to the incoming government to complete all good projects of the outgoing government for the benefit of Nigerians.
Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who attended the service with his wife Dolapo, thanked God and sang praises to God in Igbo, Delta, Hausa, and Yoruba languages when invited to the podium.
Stressing that CAN has said all that needs to be said, he prayed for God’s mercy, compassion, peace, joy, strength and long life for President Jonathan and his family as they leave office.
He also prayed that God will make Nigeria what He has promised it to be.
Scripture Reading 1 was read by the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, from Isaiah 62: 1-7, while the Scripture Reading 2 was taken by Prof. Osinbajo from Luke 17: 11-19.
An award and two Holy Bibles were given by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to President Jonathan and his wife for his outstanding Christian humility in public service, especially conceding defeat after the 2015 presidential election for the sake of peace.
Two Holy Bibles were also given to Osinbajo and his wife by CAN.
Intercessory prayers were said for the first family, the executive, legislature and judiciary arms of government, the President-elect and his family, the Vice President-elect, the church and the nation.
Among those who attended the service include former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.), National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie, First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor.
Also at the service were the Service chiefs, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and many cabinet members.
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