Dr Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has called on Nigerian religious leaders "not to relent" in "praying for the peace of the country".

The President stated this during a Prayer Breakfast organised by the Aso Villa Chapel in the State House, Abuja, the nation's capital, on Saturday.

He acknowledged that the collective prayers, offered by men and women of God, is what has been keeping the country, adding that more prayers are needed to make the country perform better.

He went on to say that "the way out of the challenges facing the country" was through a "trust in God", and he enjoined religious organisations to pray to God to guide Nigerian leaders "to lead the nation properly".

Referring to the scriptures where the children of Israel experienced calamity as a result of their deviation from God, the President said that it is a "dangerous thing to turn away from God", pledging that he will continue to trust in God to direct him as he leads this West African country.

"No matter the wisdom, skills and ability I have, I cannot succeed except with God," he remarked.

Speaking during the event, Pastor William Kumuyi, the General Overseer of the Lagos-based Deeper Life Bible Church, gave an exhortation entitled, "The Awesome Responsibility of Choosing our Future."

The pastor said that everyone has been given the opportunity to choose his future, stressing that Nigeria has come to a "critical moment in its history".

He called on all Nigerians to be involved in "bringing about the change that will guarantee a glorious future of the country."

The meeting was attended by eminent Church leaders from across the country, including: Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Ola Makinde; and the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, the Most Rev John Onaiyekan. Others included the Aso Villa Chapel Chaplain, the Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, and his predecessors, Reverends Yusuf Obaje and William Okoye, plus a host of other clergymen.