This coming week we pray for a different country each day, starting with the Czech republic in the central Europe. Once a stronghold for Moravians, homeland John Huss, this land was battered by Communist regime and atheistic teachings for decades. The freedom here got translated into a “free-for-all” mind set. The moral vacuum that has emerged got filled with hedonistic materialism. It is known as crime-central in Europe. Sexual immorality, substance abuse, depression and suicide are more prevalent than in neighbouring countries. Atheism rose even more after Communism fell: from 40% in 1991 to 60% in 2001. Pray for genuine revival especially among the young generation. Adventist church is small in the country, yet is very creative in its outreach.
Sunday we will pray for Costa Rica. Home for the Central American Adventist University it is one of the fastest growing Adventist churches in the Latin world. Membership tripled in the last 15 years. Special need for prayers is for discipling converts, for nurturing members of churches.
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in West Africa is predominantly Muslim in the North and multi-faith in the south. Adventist church is small and has hard time ministering to the needs of people in times of political and economic instability. Pray for liberation of people from superstitions and traditional fetishism.
Croatia had recently suffered civil war, in a wake of Yugoslavia’s split. Animosity and hatred among orthodox Serbs, Muslim Bosnians and Catholic Croats is strong. Adventist church is one of the smallest in Western Europe. Pray that all Croatians would grow beyond formality of religion into living relationship with Christ.
Wednesday we will pray for Cuba. Still under Communist regime it suffers endemic poverty resulting in thriving black market of crime, drugs and prostitution, including sex tourism. Only Haiti is poorer than Cuba in the Caribbean basin. Black and mulatto Cubans suffer greater deprivation with fewer opportunities than whites. Adventist Church, though persecuted, grows large and strong. Pray for spiritual leadership.
Cyprus is a divided island between Greece and Turkey. The civil conflict lasts many decades and the Orthodox Christianity had blurred boundary between politics and faith, making it an ethnic belonging issue. While a centre for mission organizations serving in the Middle East, not much work is done among indigenous Cypriots. One Adventist church exists with about 70 members.
Next Friday we will pray for Cook Islands – place for the only Adventist island (Pitcairn) the region also presents challenges of nominal adherence. Pray for sincerity of believers and revival of passionate spirituality.
As you are praying weekly, daily for all nations, I trust your awareness of how large the harvest is grows too. Pray the Lord of the Harvest to make you a labourer!
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