AFWIS joins OW in prayer for the Kingdom of Sweden, Europe

Nov 12: Sweden

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Sweden

Kingdom of Sweden

Europe

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Geography

Area: 449,964 sq km
The largest of the Scandinavian countries, a land of mountains and forests. Only 10% of the land is cultivated.
Population: 9,293,026    Annual Growth: 0.49%
Capital: Stockholm
Urbanites: 84.7%
HDI Rank: 7 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 64 (14% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Swedish, with five official minority languages    Languages: 30 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Christian

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	5,314,682	57.20	-0.7
Evangelicals	642,248	6.9	-0.6

Answer to Prayer

Increased unity among evangelicals is a praiseworthy outworking of the continued decline of state-sponsored Christendom and a sign of God’s Spirit at work. Evangelical groups from across the theological and denominational spectrums increasingly work, pray and worship together as they see themselves as a minority in a secular society. Each year at Pentecost, around 20,000 from around the country gather in Stockholm for “Jesus Manifestation”.
     For an additional Answer to Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

Challenge for Prayer

The Church of Sweden is no longer the State Church. Its size, political influence and social impact are large, but on the wane. Liberal theology and practice dominate the Church, from endorsing same-sex marriage to universalism and rejecting the divine authority of Scripture. Politicians (often without any clear faith in Jesus) are frequently chosen to sit on parish councils. Unsurprisingly, the Church is in numerical decline and attendance is between 1-2% of membership. On the local level, there are a number of evangelical congregations, pastors and members, but the national structures are dominated by a liberal agenda. Pray for God to shake and refine this Church. Movements such as Taizé, Oasis and Pilgrimage are having a positive and inspirational influence on the Lutheran Church.
     For an additional 7 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.

More Information

The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Sweden.