Prayer Points
- For focused efforts to evangelize those under the age of 15 - half of the overall population.
- For speed and accuracy for the workers translating the Bible.
- For a deep and lasting impact through campus ministries.
- That ministries by Christians in Niger would demonstrate the love of God and make an eternal difference in the lives of those impacted.
LOCATION
Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
POPULATION
21 563 607 (2017 est.)
RELIGION
Muslim 80%
Other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
INTERNET USERS
439 164 ( 2017)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
5,1% (2015)
MISSIONARIES
Sent: 10
Received: 510
LEAST REACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
28
We Pray...
Lord God, we pray for focused efforts to evangelize those under the age of 15, half of the overall population. Father, we pray for a deep and lasting impact through campus ministries.
We pray for speed and accuracy for the workers translating the Scriptures for many barely reached people groups.
We ask that You will establish a visible Christian presence in society and peace among struggling believers who feel isolated. We pray that ministries by Christians in Niger would demonstrate the love of God and make an eternal difference in the lives of those impacted. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
State of the Church
Christianity is slowly growing through humanitarian efforts such as well-digging, agricultural development, and education. The number of Evangelicals triples every year, though it is not keeping up with population growth. The cultural pressure to maintain the Islamic faith continues to hinder outreach efforts. Indigenous pastors, many of whom have converted to Christianity from Islam, are stepping up as leaders in the fledgling church. (Prayer Cast, n.d.)
Niger maintains a tradition as a secular state, protected by law. Interfaith relations are deemed very good. There have been some cases of NGO workers being abducted as well as forms of persecution against Christian aid workers. No foreigner may leave the capital city without a military escort. Many Christian believers are isolated, often illiterate and rarely have systematic Bible teachings available.
Overview
Niger is a developing country, ranked the lowest country in 2012 United Nations' Human Development Index. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). Much of the non-desert portions of the country are threatened by periodic drought and desertification.The economy is concentrated around subsistence and some export agriculture clustered in the more fertile south, and the export of raw materials, especially uranium ore. Niger remains handicapped by its landlocked position, desert terrain, poor education and poverty of its people, lack of infrastructure, poor health care, and environmental degradation.
Slavery is still practised in isolated areas of the country. Nigerian children are trafficked for labour 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. A land dispute between Libya remains unresolved and often triggers acts of violence. In February 2010, the army of Niger staged another coup d'etat that ousted President Tandja Mamadou, who had been behaving in an increasingly dictatorial fashion.
The army claims to be acting toward the restoration of democracy. A presidential election was held on 31 January 2011, but as no clear winner emerged, run-off elections were held on 12 March 2011. Mahamadou Issoufou of the Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism was elected president. (Romoke W., 2011) Historically, what is now Niger has been on the fringes of several large states. Since independence, Nigeriens have lived under five constitutions and three periods of military rule. A majority live in rural areas, and have little access to advanced education.
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