Very Rev Isaac Ogbonnayawas best known as a prayer warrior and intercessor, involved with numerous Methodist churches, Scripture Union, and Christian projects and groups across Nigeria. I have known Very Rev Ogbonnaya since 1994.  I first met him, late Arch Paul Udenyi, Sir J. K. Udenze, among others, at a Methodist Evangelical Movement prayer meeting in Sagamu. I was very taken with Very Rev Ogbonnaya’s passion for Jesus and his style of intercession.  Over the years, we worked together a lot, especially for the Evangelical conventions.

Intercessor matters in the Methodist tradition. Methodism has always emphasised both personal piety and social action. A true Methodist intercessor bridges the gap between these two pillars, embodying the legacy of Methodist founder John Wesley, who famously dedicated hours to prayer every single day. They are the spiritual support system of the congregation. Intercessors, as dedicated prayer warriors, are called to relentless intercession. We are called to consistently bring the joys, burdens, and needs of others before the throne of grace. We are a ‘watchman’ on the wall. We are spiritually discerning, standing firm in prayer against discouragement or crisis. Intercession is a call to action-oriented faith, bearing in mind the Methodist heart of mission, praying for the vulnerable and serving as the compassionate hands and feet of Christ.

Inspired by persistent trust, many of us have always believed and continue to believe in the power of prayer for Methodist reawakening (Eph 6:18). When we pray together, incredible things start happening, and our problems and battles are taken to a new level. So, things begin to happen when a prayer group starts praying for God’s mission. Among such prayer warriors in the Methodist Church, Nigeria was the Very Rev Ogbonnaya.

Our lovely Very Rev Ogbonnaya, a very committed former National Prayer Secretary of the Methodist Evangelical Movement (MEM) and former MEM Coordinator for the Diocese of Uzuakoli, Methodist Church Nigeria, went to be with the Lord early this year.  Very Rev Ogbonnaya was an incredible prayer warrior, and his love for Jesus and Methodist Reawakening always shone through him. He was full of passion and encouraged so many of us in our walk with Jesus and in our commitment to revival in the Methodist Church Nigeria.

He had a heart for young people and longed for them to be all they could be in Christ, to walk free of all that hindered them and to achieve great things in the Kingdom.  He would run with them, and many had a job to keep up with him. Over the years of his ministry, as a laity and a clergy, Very Rev Ogbonnay has seen incredible fruit, touched so many lives, and helped so many people. He was always a great joy to be around, and his smile was infectious. Our heartfelt tribute to this impactful Methodist intercessor is not to mourn but to celebrate and honour his steadfast faith, deep prayer life, and servant heart.

Very Rev Ogbonnaya, a devoted prayer warrior and a true intercessor, whose quiet, faithful devotion strengthened the Methodist Church Nigeria. For the Very Rev Ogbonnay, the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 were a way of life: ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.’” Whether in the MEM Executive Council (MEMEC), diocesan conventions, circuit, church pew, a small group, or over a cup of tea, Very Rev Ogbonnaya lived out the Methodist spirit of watching over one another in love. He echoes the role of the intercessor shaped by the burden of prayer.

Very Rev Ogbonnaya reminds us that an intercessor does not simply pray for their own needs; they stand in the gap for others. He carried our joys, our griefs, and our unspoken burdens to the throne of grace. Many have faced storms, illness, or uncertainty and have found peace, knowing that the Very Rev. Ogbonnaya was praying for them. He reminds us how to trust, how to listen for God’s voice, and how to love our neighbours through the powerful ministry of prayer.

“We celebrate Very Rev Ogbonnaya today not for standing in the spotlight, but for kneeling in the quiet doing the unseen, heavy work of the Kingdom. Like the faithful saints of the early Church, Very Rev Ogbonnaya understood that prayer changes things. We are a stronger family, a more resilient nation, and a deeper church because we have intercessors fighting on our behalf on their knees. Very Rev. Ogbonnaya has now joined that great cloud of witnesses, and his legacy of fervent prayer will continue to echo in our lives, calling us to be part of a prayer rain revival in our local churches.

As we say goodbye, we picture Very Rev Ogbonnaya hearing those beautiful words from Matthew 25:23: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’“