1.1 Background to the Study

The development of digital technology and social media platforms has greatly influenced religion and worship practices globally. In the last few years, there has been an increase in the popularity of online worship programs, live worship service broadcasts, and virtual prayer sessions amongst Christians. The popular online prayer platform in Nigeria is referred to as New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD). This online prayer group was established and hosted by Jerry Eze at Streams of Joy International. NSPPD received international attention for its daily prayer program broadcasted online through social media sites like Facebook and YouTube.

The development of NSPPD represents the increasingly closer relationship between media technology and Christian worship and spiritual practices. By organizing live prayer services, prophesying, testimonies, and active participation of the followers, NSPPD has managed to attract many followers who live not only in Nigeria but throughout the world. The majority of Christians consider the program to be a means of spiritual encouragement, inspiration, and support (Okafor & Daniel, 2025).

Historically, Christians engaged in prayers at their churches, during their families' devotion times, and by participating in individual prayers. Today, however, with the introduction of online ministries, such as the presented one, Christians can engage in spiritual practices in a different way. NSPPD makes it possible for believers to join prayer services and thus access spiritual events despite their location (Adebayo & Chukwu, 2026). Given the high significance of religious activities in the Nigerian society, the rise of the popularity of virtual prayer ministries has been noted. Today, more and more people devote much time to praying via online platforms as well as watching the stream and engaging with prayer content via different social media channels. Particularly important is the role played by NSPPD in the lives of believers due to its focus on regular praying, prophesies, and answered prayers.

At the same time, there are concerns about the impact that such platforms have on regular visits to churches and personal spiritual discipline since some experts are concerned that over-reliance on virtual prayer can negatively affect people's willingness to attend churches physically and engage with Christianity spiritually rather than emotionally (Eze & Ibrahim, 2026).

This is why it is important to pay attention to the contribution of NSPPD in the lives of believers while researching the impact of virtual religion platforms on contemporary Christians.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

NSPPD as an online prayer service has greatly affected how many Christians pray and perform their religious duties. While many Christians agree that they have undergone spiritual growth and developed prayer disciplines through the online prayers of NSPPD programs, questions arise as to whether such online tools bring any form of negativity to the traditional practice of Christians worshipping God.

Today, many Christians are overly relying on the online praying services and often feel comfortable making contact with God via online mediums rather than gathering at the congregation of God's followers for praying. Even questions arise as to whether the use of online prayers increases the prayer discipline of a person or make them dependent on mediate prayers (Okafor & Daniel, 2025). Furthermore, it would not be unlikely that emotions and prophecy that are inherent parts of online prayer sessions can influence the belief system of participants. It is regrettable that very few studies have been conducted on how NSPPD can influence the prayers of Christians in Nigeria.

The problem statement of the current study is associated with examining the impact of NSPPD on the praying activities of Christians.

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1.3 Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this research will be to investigate the role played by NSPPD in the praying experience of Christians. The specific aims of this research are:

1. to determine the extent to which Christians participate in the NSPPD praying meetings;

2. to investigate the influence of NSPPD on Christian praying commitment;

3. to establish how NSPPD influences spiritual growth and worshiping;

4. to find out the problems involved in online praying experience.

1.4 Research Questions

The research questions which guide this study are:

1.       What is the extent of involvement of Christians in NSPPD prayer meetings?

2.       How does NSPPD affect the personal commitment of Christians in praying?

3.       What is the effect of NSPPD on spiritual growth and worshiping?

4.       What are the difficulties faced in engaging in NSPPD?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The current research carries a great deal of importance due to many reasons. Firstly, the present study adds its bit to the developing literature regarding digital religion, online worship, and Christian spirituality.

Secondly, the study will add to the knowledge of religious scholars and organizations regarding how online prayer ministry affects the spiritual life and worship of the people.

Thirdly, the study will help religious scholars and theologians comprehend the dynamics that exist between technology and modern Christian practice in Nigeria.

Lastly, the study will act as a point of reference for scholars engaged in researching media and religion or communication..

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study will look into the impact of NSPPD on the prayer life of the Christian community in Nigeria. The study will focus on those Christians who have participated in prayer meetings organized by NSPPD on the internet via social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube..

1.7 Conceptual Clarification

NSPPD: New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations, a prayer website for Christians created by Pastor Jerry Eze.

Prayer Life: The frequency and regularity with which an individual engages in praying and communicating spiritually with God.

Online Worship: Spiritual functions carried out via online means like livestreaming and social media platforms.

Spiritual Growth: The growth of faith, devotion, and spiritual understanding in the practice of Christianity.

Christian Worship: Worship acts undertaken by Christians like devotion and praise.

1.8 Theoretical Framework

This study is based on Uses and Gratifications Theory, which states that people choose particular media channels to meet their needs, such as spiritual satisfaction, emotional consolation, and social relations (Katz, Blumler, & Gurevitch, 1974). Christian participants of NSPPD use this website for prayer-related activities because of spiritual satisfaction.

The research is also based on the idea of the Media Dependency Theory, which implies that people gradually develop dependencies on particular media channels for gaining information and guidance. In other words, Christians may depend on online prayer broadcasts provided by NSPPD website.