Day 22 for 4th October, coinciding with Ramadan 2007 / 1428
Liberia is a religiously and ethnically diverse country. Liberia is made up of sixteen principal tribes and 5% referred to as Americo-Liberians. The predominately Muslim tribes are the Mandingo, Vai, Gbandi, and Mende. In Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, many Muslims are from other countries. The Muslim presence is highly visible with many mosques, Islamic schools, and people dressed in the traditional robes and head-dress. Islam is growing in Liberia.
Many Liberian Christians know little or next to nothing about Islam. Some have bitterness towards Muslims because of the recent civil war. Charles Taylor’s government (1997-2003) encouraged Islamic practices. To further complicate matters, the current UN peace keeping force is dominated by Muslims. Mosques are being built and renovated around the country. Some of the visiting peace keepers have had children with Liberians and those children are automatically considered to be Muslims.
Pray God’s vision for Liberia:
* Charles Taylor’s civil war (ending in 2003) always had religious undertones. Pray that God’s true message of peace can be proclaimed.
* A large number of foreign missionary groups work in the country. Pray that the seeds of truth they have sown will come to bear mighty trees giving hope and refuge to many.
* The Poro and Sande secret societies teach young men and women to seek “supernatural power”. Pray for those locked into these societies to be freed from the chains of darkness.
* The beginning and ending dates of Ramadan cause conflict every year. Pray that the conflict would instead turn to a time to present the Gospel. “All things are possible, only believe.”
* The churches are not prepared adequately to reach out to Muslims nor to train those who are seeking to become disciples. God’s heart for the lost must be the vision of all Christians in Liberia. Pray for practical training for Christians and for those coming to the faith.
Statistics for Liberia
Population: 3,195,931 (July 2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 40.39 years
Ethnic groups: indigenous African 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Dei, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the US who had been slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean who had been slaves)
Religions: Christian 40%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 40%
Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence
Literacy: 57.5% - male: 73.3%, female: 41.6%
+ Google Map Link: Liberia, West Africa
+ YouTube Video Link: 3:26, Pray for Liberia
+ Download Gospel recordings for Liberia in several languages
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