Serbia
Republic of Serbia
Europe
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 88,147 sq kmLandlocked Balkan state. Serbia has two autonomous provinces, Vojvodina in the north and Kosovo in the south.
Population: 7,771,633 Annual Growth: -0.22%
Capital: Belgrade
Urbanites: 52.4%
HDI Rank: 67 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 33 (18% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Serbian Languages: 21 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 6,246,061 | 80.37 | -0.3 |
| Evangelicals | 45,580 | 0.6 | 1.8 |
Challenges for Prayer
Serbia is a nation with a public relations problem. It sees itself as defender of Europe and the Christian faith against Muslim aggression, as misunderstood and betrayed by the rest of Christendom and as victim of a propaganda war. Conversely, much of the world perceives Serbia as a war-mongering, hyper-nationalist power guilty of ethnic cleansing and atrocities, and as a perpetrator of ethnoreligious hatred. Both views have some justification. A long history of victimization by other nations (Turks, Austrians, Germans, Croats and others) has left a legacy of bitterness. Pray for the healing and redemptive transformation of Serbian identity; a mighty work of God is necessary for this to happen.The Balkan Wars left a range of unresolved issues: the devastated economy, a fragile democracy, and poor relations with neighbouring countries and treatment of minority groups (including in Kosovo). Resolutions must be found, but a stubborn government and entrenched ethnocentrism in the main faith groups (Orthodoxy, Islam and Catholicism) make political and religious structures part of the problem. Pray that the tiny evangelical community – the only body that has retained multi-cultural fellowships – might prove a catalyst for good.
For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
