Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Apr 01: Central African Republic
Central African Republic
République Centrafricaine
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 622,436 sq kmA landlocked state in Africa’s geographical centre. Variation from tropical forest in the southwest to semi-desert in the northeast.
Population: 4,505,945 Annual Growth: 1.90%
Capital: Bangui
Urbanites: 38.9%
HDI Rank: 179 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 88 (9% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: French and Sango (trade language used by most of the population Languages: 82 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 3,441,190 | 76.37 | 1.9 |
| Evangelicals | 1,453,346 | 32.2 | 2.3 |
Challenges for Prayer
The physical human needs of CAR are immense. The seemingly endless series of coups and counter-coups devastated the economy and infrastructure. Pray for the following needs:a) Peace and stability, particularly in the north and east. Constant uprisings and banditry grind down the already poor and blight the government’s efforts to restore the infrastructure. Anarchy continues to reign in the north of the country, and hundreds of thousands have fled their homes in the past few years. Pray that banditry and chaos might not prevail and that a strong and just central government can establish peace throughout the country.
b) The economy. The nation, although blessed with vast mineral resources, is weak economically. Pray that the government might bring to bear a wise hand in increasing wealth that enriches the entire nation and not just a privileged few.
c) Unemployment. Pray for the emergence of employment opportunities for the many without work. Pray for the emergence of Christian businessmen who will be agents of transformation in the economic and spiritual spheres.
d) Health. CAR is another nation increasingly devastated by AIDS; HIV rates peaked at 15% of the adult population infected, although now reduced to 6%. Life expectancy is dropping year by year. Pray for programmes and ministries to combat not only HIV/AIDS but also diseases that come about from malnourishment, lack of clean water, faulty hygiene and poverty.
Christian media and help ministries:
a) Christian Radio. With several new Christian radio stations – Voix de la Grâce/Radio ESCA (Grace Brethren), Radio Evangile Néhémie (Ambassade Chrétienne), Radio Notre Dame (Catholic) and ICDI community radio (HCJB) – the gospel is going out to potentially millions every week. Several languages are broadcast several hours a day. Pray for proper coordination of Christian radio programmes and training of administrators to ensure effective ministry.
b) Christian literature is increasing. More than five new literature depots in the country make material available to more than 30% of the population each year. Pray for ACATBA, a national literacy programme, for World Missionary Press, and for oral evangelism work by local groups such as Evangelists without Borders.
c) The JESUS film has been widely shown in French, Sango, Gbaya (NW), Fulfulde and Zande. Pray for CCCI to achieve further progress; pray also for translators for other languages.
d) GRN has recordings available in 31 languages and counting. Audio resources (cassette, CD, digital players) are treasured in this poor country with widespread illiteracy; pray for wider distribution of these materials.
e) The business, academic and professional elite. Pray for progress in evangelism among these influential groups. Haggai Institute, Operation Africa and others are reaching out to them.
For an additional 7 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
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