Week of 12/28/08:

The northern cone of South America is home to Venezuela, a nation in social crisis.  More than three quarters of Venezuela’s population lives in poverty, and a series of corrupt or inept leaders have kept it that way since Venezuela’s independence in 1830.  Venezuela is one of the world’s largest oil producers, but the world economy and domestic struggles conspire to keep Venezuelans from effectively using that natural resource for economic gain.  Officially a Catholic nation, about ninety-five percent of Venezuelans claim the Christian faith.  Despite those figures, Venezuela is one of the least churchgoing nations in Latin America.  In the last several years, Venezuela’s government has become increasingly anti-American, aligning the nation with the Marxist governments of Cuba and Bolivia.

Week of 12/21/08:

The nation of Uruguay is situated on the Atlantic coastline between South America’s two largest nations, Brazil and Argentina.  European settlers to South America displaced almost all of Uruguay’s native population, so the population of modern-day Uruguay is almost entirely of European descent.  Since its independence in 1828, Uruguay has enjoyed a great deal of freedom, democracy, and economic growth.  The government gave way to a military regime in 1973, but democracy was restored in 1985.  Though a large percentage of the Uruguayan population claims adherence to the Catholic Church, fewer than two percent actually attend mass.  They are, in practice, non-religious.  Uruguay is generally considered to be the most secular nation in South America. Pray that the Uruguayan church would experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that millions of Uruguayans would be baptized in His power.

Week of 12/14/08:

The United Arab Emirates is composed of seven states (emirates) on the coast of the Persian Gulf.  A generation ago, the U.A.E. was an impoverished nation.  However, the discovery of large deposits of natural gas and oil in the early 1970’s caused the nation’s economy to turn drastically upwards.  Today, the U.A.E. is one of the wealthiest nations in the Middle East, with an economy that compares favorably to wealthy nations in the western hemisphere.  The U.A.E. is a Muslim nation, though there is a large Hindu and smaller Christian minority.  Upon the death of the nation’s monarch, the first U.A.E. elections were held in 2004.  The sudden influx of wealth and global influence that the U.A.E. has experienced has brought with it a gradual secularization of U.A.E. society.  Because of the U.A.E.’s economic power, the nation plays a critical and influential role in area politics.  Pray that the government of the U.A.E. would play a leading role in bringing peace to their part of the world.

Week of 12/7/08:

Ukraine is a large, fertile nation that occupies the plains between Eastern Europe and Russia.  A former Soviet state, Ukraine is perhaps best known to westerners as the site of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in 1986.  Since its independence in 1991, Ukraine has done much to foster the growth of a democratic government.  Unfortunately, the democratic government of Ukraine has struggled economically, and many Ukrainians live at or below the poverty line (despite their nation’s many natural resources).  Ukraine has a strong Christian history, especially for the Orthodox Church.  The Ukrainian Church is beginning to flourish again today in the aftermath of Communist rule.

Week of 11/30/08:

Turkmenistan is one of the dessert nations of Central Eurasia.  It lies on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, but has no ocean shoreline (it is landlocked).  Accordingly, Turkmenistan has been economically isolated from much of the world.  A former Soviet Republic, Turkmenistan is governed by a “president” with tremendous authority – he controls virtually every aspect of the Turkmen culture.  Turkmenistan has large reserves of oil and natural gas, but many of them have gone unused, leaving much of the nation in poverty.  The constitution of Turkmenistan allows for freedom of religion; however, only Sunni Islam and the Russian Orthodox religions are truly allowed to practice freely.

Week of 11/23/08:

Africa’s northern coast is home to Tunisia, a country that extends from the fertile, mountainous coastline southward into the Sahara desert.  Like many of its neighboring nations, Tunisia was once a French colony that gained independence in the 1950’s and has since become a staunchly Arab/Islamic locality.  Tunisia, however, is a relatively progressive Muslim society; there has been a significant secularization of Tunisian culture, and sustained economic development.  Though it is illegal for Tunisian Muslims to convert to Christianity, there are opportunities for church growth in Tunisia that don’t exist in other Muslim nations.  Foreigners living in Tunisia are generally allowed their religious freedom, and Tunisian society has historically been opposed to politicizing the fundamentalist Islam that is so prevalent in other Muslim nations.  Yet, to this point, the Church has not grown.  Pray that the gospel would be spread throughout Tunisia and North Africa.

Week of 11/16/08:

The two islands of Trinidad and Tobago lie off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean.  Trinidad and Tobago is unique among the Caribbean island nations in its industrial development.  It is a leading producer of fossil fuels in the region, and, accordingly, has become a financially profitable nation.  The tourism trade (centered largely in Tobago) is relatively small in comparison to other island nations, but is now growing.  Independent from British rule in 1962, Trinidad and Tobago has been a democratic nation for its entire history.  Though Trinidad and Tobago is largely a Christian nation, significant numbers of Hindus and Muslims also call these islands home.  Extremists within each of these three ethnic groups have, on occasion, come into conflict.  Pray that the governing authorities in Trinidad and Tobago would have the wisdom to govern fairly and wisely, and that the peace of Christ would ultimately reign in this nation.

Week of 11/9/08:

On the eastern coast of Africa, Tanzania is comprised of a mainland region (Tanganyika) and two offshore islands (Zanzibar and Pembra).  Despite some significant cultural and historical differences between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the nation of Tanzania has existed in relative peace for most of its modern history.  Upon its inception in the 1960’s, Tanzania adopted a single party socialist government.  However, in the early 1990’s, that form of government was replaced by a multi-party democracy.  In recent years, there have been revival movements in both the Lutheran and Anglican churches in Tanzania.  The Pentecostal church, too, has experienced growth.  But there is a need for trained leadership in these growing congregations – many churches lack pastors.  Pray that God would raise up shepherds for His flock.

Week of 11/2/08:

The largest of the Scandinavian countries, Sweden is a nation with a long and proud history.  For nearly two hundred years, Sweden has maintained a strict policy of international neutrality.  Sweden is also known for its highly developed social welfare system.  Swedish citizens enjoy complete freedom of religion, although there is a historic tie between the government and the Lutheran Church of Sweden.  Though historically a Christian nation, Swedish churches are rapidly shrinking as increasing numbers of Swedes declare themselves to be completely non-religious. Studies in 2000 indicated that more than half of the population doesn’t even believe that God exists.  Pray that Swedes would return to their faith and once again place their hope and trust in the Lord.

Week of 10/26/08:

The island nation of Sri Lanka lies off the southeastern coast of  India. It is a Buddhist nation, but a culturally unusual one.  Whereas many Buddhists consider non-violence to be a hallmark of their faith, Sri Lanka is known as a land of both bigotry and violence. The nation has been ravaged by a civil war since 1983, and only recently has there been an end to those hostilities. The social caste system, adopted from Hindu India, is very much a reality in Buddhist Sri Lanka.  Furthermore, Sri Lanka is still recovering from the tsunami that devistated that part of the world in 2004.  There is a deep need for spiritual healing in Sri Lanka.  Pray that this nation might find healing through Christ.

Week of 10/19/08:

Spain has one of the most remarkable political and religious histories of any Western nation.  For seven hundred years, it was occupied and ruled by Moorish Muslims from North Africa.  It then became a Christian nation and the world’s foremost superpower. Unfortunately, during this time, Spanish Christians became famous for there zealous acts of violence; the Spanish Inquisition still hangs as a dark cloud over the Church.  However, in this era, Spain has suffered a similar spiritual fate to much of the western world:  complacency.  Church attendance is falling dramatically, and the once pervasive sense of “cultural Christianity” is largely lost.  A large portion of the Spanish population claims no religious affiliation at all, and millions more have no more that a nominal faith.  Pray for revival in Spain.

Week of 10/12/08:

This east-African nation, which comprises most of the “Horn of Africa” territory, is generally considered to be the most lawless nation on earth.  The national government is largely in exile from the capital city, Mogadishu.  Somalia is ruled instead by warring clans, factions, and rival warlords.  Somalia’s Muslim majority has proclaimed Islam the national religion and they ruthlessly enforce shari’a law.  The United Nations was forced to withdraw from Somalia in the mid 1990’s despite being unable to bring any sort of stability to the nation.  Millions of Somalis live as refugees both in Somalia and in surrounding lands. Somalia’s ongoing violence and brutality can aptly be described as a spiritual stronghold over the entire nation.  Pray that this stronghold would be broken by the gospel of peace, and that Jesus Christ would be proclaimed as Lord across the land of Somalia.

Week of 10/5/08:

In the early 1990’s, when the nation of Yugoslavia became divided, much international attention was given to the conflicts in the former Yugoslav states of Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia/Herzegovina.  However, Slovenia, the northernmost of the Yugoslav republics, transitioned into independence with comparative ease.  Like most all former Communist states, Slovenia has struggled at times to make the adjustment to a free market economy, but the Slovenian economy today is generally the most stable of its kind.  One of the primary missionary goals is Slovenia is literature distribution.  Slovene translations of the Bible have not been readily available until recently, and Christian literature distribution efforts are still very challenging.  Pray that all Slovenians would have immediate access to God’s written Word.

Week of 9/28/08:

Following World War I, the closely-related Czechs and Slovaks formed the independent nation of Czechoslovakia.  After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell under the Soviet influence of Communistic Eastern Europe.  Democracy was re-established in 1989, and in 1993 the Czechs and Slovaks peacefully divided their country into two.  Slovakia, which stands in the eastern half of what was formerly Czechoslovakia, has made steady democratic progress since then, though the shift from Communism to market capitalism has not been easy.  Slovakia is a free nation, with a Christian majority, and no significant international disputes.  Pray that God would grant strength and wisdom to those in the Slovak government, particularly those who confess Him as Lord.

Week of 9/21/08:

Singapore is a city-state in Southeast Asia that occupies a series of islands between Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a beautiful place, described as Asia’s cleanest and greenest city. Singapore has experienced tremendous economic growth since its independence in 1965. Today, Singapore is one of the foremost centers of commerce in the eastern hemisphere and around the world. The government limits free speech and press, but allows for basic religious freedom.  The majority of the nation is Buddhist, but nearly fifteen percent of Singaporeans profess Christ as Savior.

Many of Singapore’s Christians are a part of the highly educated class, especially in the medical field. Singapore has a strong missionary-sending tradition, with a great number of Singaporean missionaries serving in other Asian nations.

Week of 9/14/08: 

Senegal is the westernmost country on the African continent.  A former French colony, Senegal has existed independently since 1960.  The largely indigenous population of Senegal is primarily Muslim by faith.  However, Senegal allows for freedom of religion – it is one of the few predominantly Muslim nations to do so.  Accordingly, Senegal has the potential to see Muslims come to Christ without fear of governmental persecution.  Senegal is a poor nation, relying heavily on foreign aid to supplement its own agriculture and commerce.   Recent years have seen some guerilla battles in the southwest regions of the country (the Casamance province), creating more than 60,000 Senegalese refugees. 

Week of 9/7/08: 

Home to about a quarter of the planet’s known oil reserves, the desert nation of Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most influential countries.  Saudi Arabia is governed by way of a powerful monarchy that exudes control over most every aspect of life.  Though the Saudi government has been very West-friendly, there are serious concerns over Saudi Arabia’s true role in terrorist activities.  (Several of the September 11th terrorists were Saudi nationals.)  There was once a large Christian population in Saudi Arabia, but Christians were expelled when Muslims gained control of the nation more than 1300 years ago. Saudi Arabia is home to many of Islam’s holiest sites, and is the foremost custodian of Islam in the world.  Saudi Arabia is considered by most Christian and secular entities to be the most religiously oppressive nation in the world.  Even foreigners living in Saudi Arabia are forbidden to practice any religion apart from Islam.  Pray that someday the gospel might be preached throughout the nation of Saudi Arabia.

Week of 8/31/08:

 The East-African nation of Rwanda is one of the most deeply divided nations on earth.  Its two predominant ethnic groups, the Hutu and Tutsi peoples, have made war on each other for decades.  The ethnic divisions are made more pronounced by the fact that Rwanda is the most densely populated African nation.  More than one million Rwandans were killed in the mid-1990’s (a quarter of the population), including a staggering 800,000 killed in a period of just 100 days.  Beyond its internal difficulties, Rwanda has battled both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in recent years.  There is a legacy of warfare in this nation that must be brought to an end.  Limited peace efforts by international agencies like the U.N. have been largely unsuccessful.  Despite a culture and history of Christianity, Rwanda is in deep need of the peace of God.  Pray that God would bring healing to this land.

Week of 8/24/08:

The nation of Romania sits on the fertile flatlands along the Danube River in Eastern Europe.  It is rich in agriculture and natural resources, but has struggled to establish itself economically since the fall of Communism.  In 1989, a bloody revolution overthrew the government of Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu, who was executed.  Still, though, Romanian politics are highly influenced by the Communist party and Romanian society bears many scars from the long regime.  However, because of Romania’s politics, Romanians have access to some nations that are closed to western Christians.  Missionary sending organizations are now being birthed in Romania.  Pray that Romanian believers would begin to reach out to their neighbors with the gospel message.

Week of 8/17/08:

The nation of Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with its larger neighbor, Spain.  Portugal was a powerful seafaring empire that helped colonize Africa and the Americas during the age of exploration and conquest.  However, Portugal’s more recent history has not been as distinguished.  For about half of the twentieth century, Portugal was ruled by dictators.  A socialist democracy was established in 1974, bringing increased freedom to the Portuguese people.   There is freedom of religion in Portugal, but the Catholic Church maintains some legal privilege.