Prayer Points
- For people affected by the floods.
- For lasting peace to overcome all threats to the nation's fragile stability.
- For true freedom for those in bondage to poverty, disease, witchcraft, and animism.
- For the Church and its leaders to grow in spiritual maturity and Biblical understanding.
- For the Bible translation projects in progress.
- That the love of Christ will be evident in development programs.
LOCATION
Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
POPULATION
29 537 914 (2017 est.)
RELIGION:
Roman Catholic 28.4%
Muslim 17.9%
Zionist Christian 15.5%
Protestant 12.2% (includes Pentecostal 10.9% and Anglican 1.3%)
Other 6.7%
None 18.7%
Unspecified 0.7% (2007 est.)
INTERNET USERS:
1 834 337 (2017)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE:
22,4% ( 2014 est.)
LEAST REACHED PEOPLE GROUPS:
9
KEY CITY
Population of the city:
1 191 613
Urbanization Rate:
3.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major religion in the city:
Christianity
We Pray...
Lord, as we pray for Mozambique, we pray for lasting peace to overcome all threats to the nation's fragile stability. We also pray for true freedom for those in bondage to poverty, disease, witchcraft, and animism.
Father, we pray for the Church and its leaders to grow in spiritual maturity and Biblical understanding. We also ask that Your blessing and provision will be upon the work of teams that are working on 17 Bible translation projects.
Lord, our prayer is that the love of Christ will be evident in development programs and that it will serve to strengthen and extend the Church of Mozambique. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
State of the Church
The Mozambican church is growing. Many churches in the Southern part are starting to reach out and evangelize into the Northern parts of Mozambique, sometimes even with the help of Malawian pastors.
Similar to many parts of Africa, Christianity in Mozambique is often mixed with some traditional beliefs, especially in rural areas.
There have been cases of persecution of Christians especially on the islands where Islam is the main religion.
Prayers and Scriptures from believers in other nations sent to the people of Mozambique
Ulfried (Namibia) -
“Lord God, Creator, I pray that you would demonstrate your grace, provision and kindness to the people of Mozambique in the midst of the devastation caused by the floods. Give words of wisdom to the pastors and fathers of households that they might encourage their flocks and families; that they would be strengthened in their hearts to worship you Lord, despite what seems like an unjust punishment to them in their country. Help the Church to deal with urgent needs, calling on your name for miraculous help and the faith to accept your response. Lord, move the Church into the kind of action that will multiply your glory amongst the unbelievers. All glory goes to you, Father God, even as we cannot understand the meaning of the tragedy of death and destitution! In Jesus' name. Amen.”
Godfrey Kapinga -
“May the mighty God who comfort us in all things be with everyone in Mozambique…peace and grace to those who have lost their loved ones..it is my prayer that Jesus the great King should meet their needs.”
Damien (SA) -
“Lord we pray for our brothers in Mozambique, may you protect and provide for them in this time of need. May you rebuild a mighty group of people.”
Maryna (SA) -
“May the Lord use your difficult circumstances to strengthen you, His people. To bring healing over the land and spiritually nourish you with his living water. May the seeds of His righteousness, peace, love and presence be planted in your land and hearts, take root and yield plentiful crops. May this be the start of a new season. The start of a season of His abundant blessing on your lives. People of Mozambique, you are in our hearts and prayers.
Ezekiel 47
Eugene and Tina (Mozambique) -
“We especially think of His words in Mat 25:34-40 and may this encourage and motivate the believers.”
Brumilda (SA) -
Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe". Lord, I pray that the people of Mozambique, Malawi and Madagascar will run to You and that You will be their shelter and their strength in this desperate time. Amen.
"Nations" Prayer Group (SA) -
“Father, we come before you on behalf of the people in the flood stricken areas. Lord, will You please reassure them of Your truth and take them into deeper levels of understanding Your eternal purposes. We pray for miracles and Your wonder to be displayed. We also ask for open doors so that relief can come through to the thousands who are suffering. Lord Jesus, about suffering You know everything. Thank You for being near to the people in their time of need. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen."
"Nations" Prayer Group (SA) -
“Father, we pray for the people of Mozambique. We are trusting You for a change of season, Lord. We pray that the floods will wash away the witch craft, like Jesus' blood cleanses us from sins, may you cleanse the land from muti's and other evil things. As the flood reveals certain things that were buried under the ground, will You also please reveal all hidden sins. Let Your light shine like in Isaiah 9:2, so that a breakthrough can come and people can draw near to the Son who forgives. Give them Your spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord; and may they delight in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11). Amen."
Overview
Mozambique became independent from Portugal in 1975. The 16 years which followed were some of the most difficult years for Mozambique. A large-scale emigration, severe drought and a prolonged civil war hindered the country’s development.
The civil war started two years after independence, the reason being an after effect of the Cold War. According to various sources, one million people died during the civil war while fighting and from starvation, five million civilians were displaced and many maimed by landmines.
It was only in the 90's that Mozambique could start the country's rebuilding process. Many investors have started entering Mozambique to tap into the country's oil and gas reserves. The unscathed beaches are also a main attraction for tourism.
In early 2015 cyclone Chedza hit the coast of Mozambique flooding many parts of northern Mozambique. Most of the people in the Northern parts farm to provide for their family. WIth all the flood most of the fertile soil has been washed away and field are under water. There is also a huge crisis as people with HIV and AIDS can not get the necessary medicine to keep their health up.
This is not the first time that Mozambique have experienced such floods. The biggest prior to 2015 was in 2007 when cyclone Favio hit the country. Around 130,000 homes suffered damage and 130 schools were leveled by the tropical cyclone. Across the nation, a total of 33,000 people were left homeless during the system. Cyclone Favio destroyed 277,000 ha (684,480 acres) of crops.
For more news on the floods go to: http://movingintoaction.co.za/flood-response/
More Resources:
- Regional Prayer Initiative: Pray4sea
- 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