*ARCHIVED OCTOBER 2007 // CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT DATA
Sudan (click here to view a satellite map)
Sudan, North Africa
Population: 40,187,486
Christians: 10%
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Persecution Ranking: 27th
Political Leader: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir
Religious Freedom in Constitution: Yes
Since gaining independence from the British in 1956, Sudan has had only 11 years of peace. The year 1983 marked the beginning of a brutal civil war between northern and southern Sudan which spanned more than two decades. The war finally ended in January 2005, making it the longest running military conflict in Africa. In that time, two million people have died in the fighting as well as from starvation and martyrdom. A peace agreement was signed in January 2005, when John Garang, the leader of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement, was installed as Vice-President. Southern Sudan was given permission to rule herself, at least for the next six years. However, Garang was killed in August 2005 in a helicopter crash while traveling back from Uganda. This led to widespread rioting and the loss of 130 lives. Meanwhile a humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region continues to claim lives and create thousands of refugees. Numerous restrictions on religious freedom exist, particularly in the north where, for example, apostasy carries the death penalty. The good news is that "Sudan is home to many thousands of dedicated Christians," according to the prayer guide Light the Window, and "they have been able to hold on through many atrocities because of their strong faith."
Prayer Points
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Pray that, in the wake of John Garang's death, the peace agreement would hold and strengthen. |
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Pray for strong and effective action by the international community to bring an end to the crisis in Darfur. |
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Pray for the unity of the church across all denominations and ethnic groups. Pray that the Church would be a beacon of hope and a model of reconciliation for the nation. |
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In spite of the horrendous persecution, pray that the LORD will use Sudanese Christians powerfully to transform their Sudan into a beacon of light and hope for all her people. |
Almighty God, we thank and praise you that the civil war has finally come to an end and pray that in these turbulent times, Sudan's leaders would continue to seek peace. We also pray for Your protection and provision for all who face oppression and displacement in Darfur. In these difficult times, we pray that Your Church would shine out as beacons of Your light, witnessing to the healing and restoration that Christ has won by his death and resurrection. |
