Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Sep 06: Morocco, Sahara
Morocco
Kingdom of Morocco
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 458,730 sq kmNorthwest corner of Africa. Fertile coastal areas in the north, Atlas mountains inland and Sahara Desert to the south and southeast. A further 252,000 sq km of former Spanish Sahara claimed and occupied by Morocco since 1975.
Population: 32,777,808 Annual Growth: 1.25%
Capital: Rabat
Urbanites: 56.7%
HDI Rank: 130 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 30 (80% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Arabic. Berber is used in many homes. French widely used; English increasing Languages: 10 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Muslim| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 29,000 | 0.09 | 1.3 |
| Evangelicals | 4,774 | 0.0 | 4.6 |
| Muslim | 32,738,475 | 99.88 |
Challenge for Prayer
The indigenous Church emerged into the nation’s awareness, thanks to a media that reports obviously inflated numbers of converts to Christianity. The mostly negative press nonetheless serves to make Moroccans aware that some of their countrymen left Islam to follow Christ. There are many prayer needs for this national Church:a) Fellowship and unity are essential in a Church that meets almost entirely in homes, and where many believers have little to no fellowship. There is a strong and growing informal network of indigenous Christians throughout the country; pray this network extends as believers travel to visit family groups and individuals, often isolated. Pray that no divisions upset this.
b) Strength and perseverance for those under pressure from family, police or religious authorities. Intensified persecution and media attention have created opportunities for witness for those bold enough to take a stand. Pray that the community of believers might grow amid such persecution as it did in the years of the early Church, through faith, witness, mutual support and encouragement.
c) Discipleship of believers is always difficult in a context of persecution, isolation and fear. This is intensified here by lack of Scripture and teaching materials, low levels of literacy and a shortage of established mature leaders. Pray that believers might increasingly engage with Scripture, focus on Christ, understand their faith and welcome newcomers.
d) Leadership development and training are needed. Pray for programmes that will reliably reproduce solid leaders. Pray that there may be God-given, Spirit-gifted leadership for every group of believers.
e) Christians’ practical needs. Believers often have difficulty finding jobs, education and spouses. Christian families are integral to building solid house churches.
f) Official recognition by the government of the legitimate existence of Moroccan believers and their identity as genuine Moroccans.
For an additional 8 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 Morocco.
Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 252,000 sq kmAlmost entirely desert, but has huge phosphate deposits, one of the world’s richest sea fishing areas and possibly large oil reserves beneath its territorial waters. Population An estimated 400,000.
Capital: XXX
Peoples
Peoples: 12 (83% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Religion
Challenge for Prayer
There are only a handful of Christians among this entire people, but we see a new day of growth and witness among the Saharawi through low-key mission work and national believers. There are openings for ministry to refugees through relief and development, and difficult political and living conditions lead to considerable openness. The JESUS film is available and the Hassaniya NT is in preparation. Pray for those who are, and could be, serving among them.For an additional Challenge for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
