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Ghanaian gospel musician Ohemaa Mercy has offered Christians a gentle reminder that even heaven expects a little human effort.
According to the award-winning musician, prayer is powerful, but it should not become an excuse for avoiding hard work, responsibility and practical action.
Speaking on Prime Time with George and Mercury Quaye on August 19, 2026, Ohemaa Mercy urged Christians to understand the difference between challenges that require prayer and those that simply require people to get up and do something about them.
“Do you know prayer doesn’t solve everything? Some things are not spiritual; you just have to get the right channel to work with,” she said.
She explained that faith should go hand in hand with personal responsibility. In other words, praying for success is fine, but it would probably help to bring your books along too.
Using examinations as an example, Ohemaa Mercy questioned how someone could expect good results without putting in the necessary preparation.
“If I want to pass my exams, I have to learn. If I don’t learn and I go to the exam hall, and I’m sitting there praying, how will I pass the exams?” she asked.
The gospel musician also applied the same principle to financial challenges. She said people who need money must be willing to work and explore legitimate opportunities instead of simply waiting for a miracle to drop from the sky.
“If I need money, how will I get the money? I need to work. I can’t sit there for money to fall like manna,” she said.
Her message was particularly directed at unemployed young people. She encouraged them to identify their talents, explore opportunities and make good use of technology while continuing to pray for God’s guidance.
According to her, the internet has created numerous opportunities for people to start something, even when traditional office jobs are difficult to find.
“There are some things prayer doesn’t solve. You have to write applications, and even if you are not getting office work, there is some potential in you. You need to start something. Now the internet is open, and there’s a lot you can do to get money,” she said.
Ohemaa Mercy also urged young people not to be ashamed of starting small. She said humble beginnings should not discourage anyone from pursuing bigger dreams.
“You can start from somewhere whilst you are praying, and God can open big doors for you,” she added.
Beyond work and money, the musician called for a healthy balance between church activities and professional responsibilities. She encouraged Christians to remain committed to their faith while ensuring that church programmes do not interfere with their jobs or ability to make a living.
And just when the conversation could have ended with work and prayer, Ohemaa Mercy turned her attention to parenting.
She urged parents to build open and friendly relationships with their children, particularly as they enter adolescence and begin dealing with sensitive emotional and social issues.
She cautioned parents against becoming so strict or overly religious that their children feel unable to approach them.
“When children are growing, that kind of feeling comes. So you need to be like a friend to them to be able to draw them closer to guide them through that stage,” she said.
Her warning was particularly colourful when she advised parents not to become too “Holyghostic” for their children to relate to them.
“If you are too ‘Holyghostic’ and your children cannot vibe with you, you’ll lose them. And what they can’t get from their mother or father, they will get it out there,” she added.
Ohemaa Mercy’s message ultimately boils down to a simple formula: pray, but also prepare. Believe, but also act. Trust God, but do not be afraid to roll up your sleeves.
Because sometimes the miracle may not be a cheque falling from heaven. It may simply be the opportunity you have been praying for, sitting right in front of you, waiting for you to do something about it.
