AFWIS Joins Operation World in prayer for Saudi Arabia

Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)

Home > Oct 20: Saudi Arabia

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Oct 20: Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Asia

See Prayer Information

Geography

Area: 2,240,000 sq km
The main portion of the Arabian Peninsula; almost entirely desert, but contains 25% of the world’s known oil reserves.
Population: 26,245,969    Annual Growth: 2.14%
Capital: Riyadh
Urbanites: 82.1%
HDI Rank: 59 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)

Peoples

Peoples: 42 (62% unreached) All peoples
Unreached Peoples Prayer Card

Official language: Arabic    Languages: 20 All languages

Religion

Largest Religion: Muslim

Religion		Pop %	Ann Gr
Christians	1,425,156	5.43	2.6
Evangelicals	88,620	0.3	4.3
Muslim	24,253,900	92.41

Challenges for Prayer

Life is difficult for expatriates. The benefits of money made from working here are offset by stifling social restrictions, often cruel working environments, endemic racism and a total lack of personal and religious freedom. Many of these foreigners have little access to the gospel, although there are sizeable numbers of Christians among them. Pray for a witness to flourish among all foreign workers – and that many might come to Jesus while in the land of Mohammed.
Christian expatriates live under strict surveillance; even meeting in homes as a group of believers is forbidden. Those caught can be subjected to humiliating beatings, imprisonment, expulsion and even execution. This is particularly so for Asian Christians who are often the most effective witnesses and whose governments have the least international influence. Sadly, most Christians are nominal and few practice faithfully, although many more would join them were the risks not so great. Pray for encouragement, strength, wisdom and courage for the believing community. There are few opportunities to meaningfully interact with Saudis, and very few expatriates speak Arabic. Pray that other Arabs might gain a burden to reach Saudis.
     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 Saudi Arabia.