Day 7

DECEMBER | 2023

Niger

PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY

A forum in the state of Niger urged the government to wade into the lingering land crisis in the community. It had appealed to the state government to act quickly by calling parties involved in the conflict to order sustainable peace in the land. The forum also called for a speedy delivery of judgment in all pending matters before the state judiciary, adding that the dispute has crippled the economic activities of the people in the community. Due to the crisis, most farmers could not go to their farms, hence the need for urgent palliatives for about two thousand households to avoid impending hunger. Pray for the resolution of the dispute between these two different communities. Pray for people in Niger to understand the divine protection of God and live in peace with others (The Bible, Psalm 91:1).

Source:

https://dailypost.ng/2023/11/19/forum-urges-gov-bago-to-wade-into-lingering-crisis-in-niger-community/

MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY

Niger is in 28th position in the World Watch report 2023 by Open Doors as Christian persecution is increasing. Mohamed Bazoum is the President since 2 April 2021 and the current Prime Minister of Niger is Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, since 3 April 2021. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world where the agricultural economy is frequently destroyed by drought, making it insufficient to support the growing population.  Unfortunately, slavery is still practiced in isolated areas of the country.  Nigerian children are trafficked for labor in gold mines, sexual exploitation, and begging.  Women are abducted and sold into domestic servitude or prostitution, and young boys are kidnapped for work in stone quarries. Less than one percent of the population claims the Christian faith.  Ninety-seven percent of the nation is Muslim, with 76% of the people listed as unreached ethnic groups. An increased threat of violence from militant groups like Boko Haram against Christians persists.

CHIEF OF STATE
President Mahamadou Issoufou
HEAD OF GOV.
PM Brigi Rafini
POPULATION
20,672,987
CHRISTIANS
0.5%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
0.1%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Islam
PERSECUTION RANKING
28
REFUGEES
147,936
LIFE EXPECTANCY
55 yrs
LITERACY RATE
28.7%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
63%

Day 7

DECEMBER | 2023

Kyrgyzstan

PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY

Human rights groups have expressed concerns about a draft law called the “Foreign Representatives” law. If passed, this law would require any organization that receives funds from outside Kyrgyzstan to register with the Justice Ministry. The laws give the government a lot of authority to oversee and monitor NGOs’ activities and finances. This could include registered churches or any Christian ministry that receives international funds. These funds are used for church ministry, purchasing Bibles for distribution, and other social outreach programs. Pray that these laws will not be passed. Pray for protection over Christian ministries and NGOs (The Bible, Psalm 5:11).

Source: Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament Considering Draft Law To Curb Civil Society (HRW)

MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY

Kyrgyzstan remains one of the poorest countries in post-Soviet Central Asia. Unemployment, corruption, inflation, and religious and human-rights violations still plague people’s lives, as it did before the Tulip Revolution. In 2010 a parliamentary constitution with elaborate checks and balances was adopted, making Kyrgyzstan the only Central Asian country in which the president is limited to a single term. Most Kyrgyz are nominal Muslims, but a growing Islamic identity is concerning. A lack of growth in the Church has been observed. There is diversity even within Kyrgyz culture: city, youth, and village cultures, Russian and Kyrgyz speakers, let alone other people groups including Uzbeks, Tajiks, and Uyghurs who live in Kyrgyzstan. This poses a very real challenge for effective church planting.

CHIEF OF STATE
President Sooronbay Jeenbekov
HEAD OF GOV.
PM Muhammetkaliy Abulgaziyev
POPULATION
6,389,500
CHRISTIANS
6.1%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
0.4%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Sunni Islam
PERSECUTION RANKING
Not Ranked
REFUGEES
12,824
LIFE EXPECTANCY
71.21 yrs
LITERACY RATE
98.7%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
33.7%