Day 14
Albania
Pray for the Christmas services and events planned this month by churches in the capital city of Albania. As invitations have been sent out and continue to be given to friends, co-workers, and neighbors, pray that the Holy Spirit will soften people’s hearts and cause curiosity to grow. Pray that as people attend the Christmas services and events, the kindness and love of the Christian people will touch their hearts. Pray that their spirits will recognize the truth that is, the story of Jesus’s birth. May many enter the Kingdom due to this month’s activities (The Bible, Luke 23:42).
Source: Christian workers in the region
Albania is a beautiful country with pristine beaches and medieval-era castles. Albania is no longer under communist rule. A NATO member with an future EU membership, Albania looked like another success story. However, corruption and downward-spiraling criminal activity transformed the country into one of the poorest in Europe. Albania’s main problem today is gangs operating in human trafficking, and drug smuggling rings in addition to the Albanian mob. Moving tons of cocaine into Europe, Albania is fast becoming known as “The Columbia of Europe.” Unemployed youth find it easy to be employed by the criminal enterprise. Cocaine addiction is also on the rise in Albania. Although a Muslim majority, Albania allows freedom of religion. The persecution of Christian Believers happened in Albania to those who converted from Islam. The congregations of traditional denominations are largely nominal in practicing their faith.
