Prayer Points
- For the gospel to penetrate into the unevangelized sectors of a predominantly Muslim north.
- For basic understanding of Scripture and theology among the believers.
- That God will supply all of the needs of indigenous missionaries.
- For the pure, unadulterated truths of the Bible to be taught and used effectively in discipleship.
- For revival among the people of Côte d’Ivoire.
POPULATION
23 815 886 (2017 est.)
RELIGION
Muslim 42.9%
Catholic 17.2%
Evangelical 11.8%
Methodist 1.7%
Other Christian 3.2%
Animist 3.6%
Other religion 0.5%
None 19.1%
note: the majority of foreign migrant workers are Muslim (72.7%) and Christian (17.7%) (2014 est.)
INTERNET USERS
5 230 000 (2017)
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
NA %
MISSIONARIES (year: 2010)
Sent 340
Received 1 900
LEAST REACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
36
KEY CITY
Yamoussoukro
Population of the city:
212 670 (2014 est.)
Urbanization Rate:
3.69% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major religion in the city:
Muslim
We Pray...
Lord Jesus, we pray for the Gospel to penetrate into the unevangelized sectors of a predominantly Muslim north of Cote d’Ivoire. We ask, Lord, for basic understanding of Scripture and theology among the believers and that the Christians will seize evangelistic opportunities among foreigners flowing into the country.
Lord, we pray that You will supply all of the needs of indigenous missionaries and that their churches might support them in every possible way. Father, we pray for the pure, unadulterated truths of the Bible to be taught and used effectively to disciple believers.
We pray that You will bring revival among the people of Côte d’Ivoire. We pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
State of the Church
The constitution of Cote d'Ivoire creates space for religious freedom. However a few sporadic attacks and discrimination have taken place in some areas.
Normally religious communities seem to coexist relatively peacefully. No world religion has been embraced by a majority of people and conversions have been an individual matter in most cases. The government contributes to both Muslim and Christians alike in terms of schooling and they (the government) welcome the work of Christian missionaries. Ethnic and political beliefs tend to be the leading causes of violence in the country.
Overview
Close ties to France following independence in 1960 and the development of cocoa production for export with foreign investment all made Cote d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the West African states but did not protect it from political turmoil.
In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta (government consisting of military leaders) leader Robert Guei blatantly rigged elections held in late 2000 and declared himself the winner. Protest followed which forced him to step aside. The military then launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002 that developed into a civil war which ended in 2003 with a cease fire that left the country divided with rebels to the north and government to the South.
In 2007 the rebels leader was asked to join the government and the rebel soldiers were integrated into the armed forces. The president lost elections in 2010, but refused to hand over power to the newly elected president, Alassane Dramane Ouattara. After a five-month stand-off and with Ouatarra receiving help from armed supporters, UN and French troops, he then stepped into office.
The majority of the northern part of the country is considered Islam where as the south Christian. Although practitioners of both religions live throughout the country, in general political and religious affiliations tend to follow ethnic lines.
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