Papua New Guinea
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Pacific
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 462,840 sq kmEastern half of New Guinea, the second largest island in the world, and many smaller islands in the north and east together make up the nation of Papua New Guinea (PNG). A land of high mountains, dense forests, lowland swamps, coral islands, torrential rainfall, many rivers and great biodiversity.
Population: 6,888,387 Annual Growth: 2.40%
Capital: Port Moresby
Urbanites: 13%
HDI Rank: 148 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 879 (0% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: English, Tok Pisin (Melanesian/English Creole) and Motu Languages: 830 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 6,601,830 | 95.84 | 2.4 |
| Evangelicals | 1,773,348 | 25.7 | 3.1 |
Answer to Prayer
Increased Christian influence in Parliament, a result of recent elections. While most members of Parliament confess Christianity, every indication reveals less than half are actively practicing; still, the prayer and pastoral presence is encouraging. For an additional 2 Answers to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
a) The sheer ethnic diversity and geographic isolation of most groups make attempts to mould a single national PNG identity monumentally complex. Tribal fighting and revenge killings have been ongoing for millennia. Pray for a means to establish both a peace that surpasses the mere absence of violence and an identity that transcends immediate ethnic ties.
b) Economic development is an uphill struggle. The vast wealth of natural resources is hard to access, and is plundered by rapacious foreign companies and their local collaborators, a rich elite. The majority of citizens (>75%) survive through subsistence farming. Corruption dissipates the bulk of foreign aid and a significant amount of the national expenditure meant to help locals.
c) Accelerating urbanization intensifies pressure on the job market, public utilities and health care, ethnic relations and social stability. Violent crime in cities is rising. Traditional structures of village life are not present in urban squatter camps, hence the accompanying social decay.
For an additional 11 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
Challenge for Prayer
The nation faces many crises just to prevent meltdown, never mind to oversee progress. Some groups and governments involved with PNG see an impending failed state and social chaos. Corruption is endemic and hampering progress. Pray for a government that will act with courage and foresight, moral integrity and wisdom.a) The sheer ethnic diversity and geographic isolation of most groups make attempts to mould a single national PNG identity monumentally complex. Tribal fighting and revenge killings have been ongoing for millennia. Pray for a means to establish both a peace that surpasses the mere absence of violence and an identity that transcends immediate ethnic ties.
b) Economic development is an uphill struggle. The vast wealth of natural resources is hard to access, and is plundered by rapacious foreign companies and their local collaborators, a rich elite. The majority of citizens (>75%) survive through subsistence farming. Corruption dissipates the bulk of foreign aid and a significant amount of the national expenditure meant to help locals.
c) Accelerating urbanization intensifies pressure on the job market, public utilities and health care, ethnic relations and social stability. Violent crime in cities is rising. Traditional structures of village life are not present in urban squatter camps, hence the accompanying social decay.
For an additional 11 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
