Day 2

MAY | 2023

Sudan

PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY

Violence continuing in Sudan has resulted in the deaths of at least 180 people, with many more left wounded. The fighting represents the latest crisis in the North African nation, which has contended with numerous coups and periods of civil strife. It all revolves around infighting between two rival groups: the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group known as the RSF, or Rapid Support Forces. Sudan has been run by the army, with coup leader General Abdel-Fattah Burhan as de facto ruler. Since then, members of the RSF and the Sudanese army have engaged in gunfights in the capital, Khartoum, as well as elsewhere in the country. Pray that the Sudanese government will stop the fighting for the stability of the nation and transition to democratic rule. Lord make Sudanese warring groups realize that You rule by Your mighty power. Your eyes watch on the nations and the rebellious will not exalt themselves (The Bible, Psalm 66:7).

Source: https://theconversation.com/sudan-crisis-explained-whats-behind-the-latest-fighting-and-how-it-fits-nations-troubled-past-203985

MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY

Sudan stays in 13th position in the World Watch report 2022 by Open Doors for Christian persecution. Chairman/ Presidential Standard of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of Sudan- Incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since 25 October 2021. Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan- Incumbent Osman Hussein (Acting) since 19 January 2022. Persecution of Christians remains incredibly high in Sudan and hasn’t changed much in the last year. Christians have been treated badly for their faith in Christ. They have endured hate speech and terrible abhorrence. As it was illegal for Muslim women to marry non-Muslim men, many such people were forced into reconversion. In many areas, the Churches were vandalized and burned down. Although the majority are Muslim, there is a substantial Christian minority in Sudan. The new transition government is trying to gain recognition on the international stage and is working to provide protection for religious minorities. Many Sudanese Christians welcome the changes, while others say it’s too late. And still, others say the country has a long way to go to demonstrate acceptance of them and other religious minorities.

CHIEF OF STATE
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
HEAD OF GOV.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok
POPULATION
41,592,539
CHRISTIANS
5%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
0.4%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Islam
PERSECUTION RANKING
13
REFUGEES
2,498,776
LIFE EXPECTANCY
59.8 yrs
LITERACY RATE
71.9%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
46.5%

Day 2

MARCH | 2023

South Sudan

PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY

South Sudan is facing the world’s most severe food insecurity crisis, yet the local groups most effective at delivering aid are not being directly funded. Floods, droughts and conflicts have fueled the crisis. South Sudan has 7.7 million people facing acute malnutrition or starvation as it enters its fifth year of severe food insecurity, according to new research measuring the intensity of food insecurity across populations, produced by Cafod and anti-poverty group Development Initiatives. Humanitarian funding for food in South Sudan has been cut by 38% since 2020, according to the report, with the UK government alone cutting its budget for South Sudan by 59% in 2021. Pray for the local organizations responding to crises in areas where no one else can go. Pray for the people in crisis to put their faith in God and be delivered from hardship (The Bible, Colossians 3:10).

Source:

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/feb/07/south-sudan-failed-by-international-aid-system-as-food-crisis-intensifies

MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY

Salva Kiir Mayardit is the President. and Abdalla Hamdok was appointed as Prime Minister by the Sovereignty Council on 21 August 2019, as part of the country’s transition to democracy.

South Sudan, a nation of roughly 11 million people, is seen as one of the most diverse nations in the region, consisting of more than 60 different ethnic groups. Around 60% of its population identifies as Christian. Although it attained independence from Sudan in 2011, in recent years, political disputes have largely fallen along ethnic lines. South Sudan is only recently emerging from a devastating, multiyear civil war. However, it has been mired in political instability and violence since 2013. Although the new outbreak of war caught the Church unprepared in South Sudan, it has played a major role in protecting people and mobilizing humanitarian support, and in mediating local peace and reconciliation processes rebuilding the capacity of the nation.

CHIEF OF STATE
President Salva Kiir Mayardit
HEAD OF GOV.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit
POPULATION
12,230,730
CHRISTIANS
58.1%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
11.3%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Christianity
PERSECUTION RANKING
Not Ranked
REFUGEES
2,093,729
LIFE EXPECTANCY
62.04 yrs
LITERACY RATE
27%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
50.6%

Day 2

MARCH | 2023

Afghanistan

PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY

In Acts, Philip receives a specific instruction to go to a specific place where he meets someone who wants to understand more about the Bible. Pray for the Christian Believers in Afghanistan that they will have the wisdom and boldness to share their faith. Pray for divine appointments with people who want to understand the Bible more. Pray for those involved in media ministries from outside of the country, who continue to connect with Afghans within. Pray for protection over internet access. Praise God that His heart is to see the Church multiply in Afghanistan despite the Taliban regime that controls the nation (The Bible, Acts 8:26-32).

Source: Pamir Ministries

MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY

Afghanistan is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the Islamic extremist group, the Taliban. Originally a group of radical Islamic scholars, the founders of the Taliban intended to bring political and economic stability to the nation after nearly two decades of conflict. However, its radical practices brought oppression and the country’s poverty worsened.  The subsequent 20 years of military intervention from international troops protected the development of an elected government. However, troop withdrawals in mid-2021 saw a rapid collapse and a return of the Taliban to power, prompting one of the most extreme large-scale evacuations of foreigners and vulnerable national staff. More than 2 million refugees have sought shelter in neighboring nations. Since the Taliban returned to power, the economy has failed to recover. Combined with the global food and fuel insecurity as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Afghanistan is now on the brink of famine.

CHIEF OF STATE
Hibatullah Akhundzada
HEAD OF GOV.
Hasan Akhund
POPULATION
32,225,560
CHRISTIANS
0.1%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
0%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Islam
PERSECUTION RANKING
1
REFUGEES
1,324,996
LIFE EXPECTANCY
60.93 yrs
LITERACY RATE
31%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
36%