Prayer Points
- For healing from terrible pain caused by two civil wars.
- For spiritually mature leaders in the churches to preach the Bible with integrity.
- For restoration for Liberia’s children — 50% of the population — who struggle to overcome the devastation of war.
- That God will raise up Liberians and other Africans for evangelism.
- For insight for national mission leaders that are doing research in the country.
LOCATION
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
POPULATION
4 730 437 ( 2017 est.)
RELIGION
Christian 85.6%
Muslim 12.2%
Traditional 0.6%
Other 0.2%
None 1.4% (2008 Census)
INTERNET USERS
395 063 ( 2017)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
28% (2014 est.)
MISSIONARIES (year:2010)
Sent: 80
Received:560
LEAST REACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
5
We Pray...
Lord, we praise you for Liberia, which is one of few countries where Muslims can be openly reached with the Gospel and are responsive when they see it demonstrated. We pray for spiritually mature leaders in the churches who will preach the Bible with integrity.
Father, we pray for restoration for Liberia’s children — 50% of the population — who struggle to overcome the devastation of war. We pray for healing from terrible pain caused by two civil wars and the rebuilding that must occur in this impoverished nation.
We pray that you will raise up Liberians and other Africans to take up the task of evangelising and mission. We ask for insight for National mission leadership that are doing research in the country to determine the current status in terms of evangelization.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
State of the Church
Liberia is majority Christian although only 20% of the population attend church regularly. Numbers are in fact growing but much work still needs to be done.
The government forces other minority religious groups to adhere to Christian holidays and if they do not comply it results in either harassment from police or closing down of their shops. However, in many Islam areas they are allowed to stay open for limited hours. There have been some cases of persecution, mainly coming from family members.
Liberia is in need of prayer, compassion, and strong Christ-led leaders.
Overview
In 1817 a Society was found in the United States known as the American Colonization Society (ACS). Its objective was to deal with the "problem" of the growing number of free slaves in the United States. Their solution: resettling them in Africa.
They went on to buy a piece of land in 1822, and turned it into "The Republic of Liberia, making it the oldest republic in Africa. This was America's only colony on the African continent. Today descendants of American slaves only make up 5% of the population.
Liberia later became better known for its long running civil war as well as its rebellion in neighboring Sierra Leone in the 1990's. With violence rates high and rebellions still going on, Liberia has become the UN's most expensive peacekeeping operation.
Christians (majority) reside throughout the country where as Muslims belong mainly to the Mandingo and Vai ethnic groups. Although many belong to Christianity they still incorporate some elements of indigenous beliefs.
For more information and practical involvement opportunities, visit:
http://www.sim.org/index.php/country/LR
More Resources:
- African Prayer Initiative: Pray Africa
Bibliography
- INcontext ministries – http://incontextministries.org/
- CIA World Factbook
- Atlas of Global Christianity – Todd M.Johnson & Kenneth R. Ross (Published by – Edinburgh University Press) (Missionaries and national workers: Africa 2010, page 267)
- Prayercast – http://prayercast.com/
- Unreached people groups – http://www.joshuaproject.net
- The voice of the Martyrs – http://www.persecution.com/
- Jul-Dec, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report – http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/index.htm
- Operation World – http://www.operationworld.org/african-countries