*ARCHIVED OCTOBER 2007 // CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT DATA
Ethiopia (click here to view a satellite map)
Ethiopia, East Africa
Population: 73,053,286
Christians: 65-70%
Dominant Religion: Christianity
Persecution Ranking: 38th
Political Leader: Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
Religious Freedom in Constitution: Yes
Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa and arguably one of the world's oldest nations. Its constitution requires the separation of religion and state and prohibits a state religion. The government generally respects this right but, on occasions, local authorities have infringed on it.
Conflicts exist between religious groups, most noticeably between Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and Evangelical Protestants. Followers of Evangelical and Pentecostal churches witness favoritism towards Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and their churches. Members of newer faiths, such as Pentecostals, have encountered overt opposition from the public that has required police intervention to protect them.
Prayer points:
 Pray for unity amongst the various church groups that they can work together in the common goal of filling their nation with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Pray for wisdom, humility, and courage for those in leadership and for peace to come to the region given the repression, wars, and deep poverty that have characterized this nation.
Pray for the continued revival and growth of strong evangelical and charismatic networks, that the leaders would seek unity and restoration of broken relationships.
Father, we pray for the Ethiopian Orthodox church that has had to adjust to a loss of political privilege. May this tradition, beset by syncretism and the occult among its millions of nominal Believers, see a deep work of the Holy Spirit. Bring this ancient church to its Biblical heritage and to new life. Amen. |
