54 Days of Prayer for the Healing of AfricaSample

# CONGO [IMAGE CONTENT] COLONISED BY FRANCE (1880–1960) HISTORY \- After seizing control in 1880, there were many revolts against the French, due to French policy of maltreating the local population through the use of harsh forced labour. The Congo became independent in August 1960. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government was installed after a bloody civil war (1997-2001). However, the government is beset by charges of corruption. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa’s oil rich states but is still very poor. SLAVERY - Slavery was commonly practiced by most Congolese societies long before the arrival of Europeans. The vast majority of US African Americans are descendants of the 400,000 black slaves forcibly brought to the New World prior to 1860, from the Congo River area. HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? Portuguese explorers brought Christianity to Congo in 1484. French missionaries spread Christianity to the hinterlands in the 1880s. Swedish missionaries founded the first Protestant mission in 1909 near Kinkala. CHURCH TODAY: The majority (88.5%) of Congolese identify as Christian but hold a superficial belief in basic Christian ideas combined with animistic rituals and idols. The Marxist government (1968-1991) expelled most mission organizations and reared a generation disconnected from any form of spiritual life. False beliefs and practices are rampant within the Church. ### PRAYER POINTS * Pray for deep healing, repentance, restitution and restoration regarding the wounds caused by slavery and colonialism. * Pray that the many poor people in the Republic of Congo will also benefit from the great agricultural and untapped mineral wealth and oil reserves of their country. * The Congo has past troubles, but future potential – pray for righteous leaders and a hunger for the truth of the Gospel. * Pray for a pure Gospel, devoid of syncretism and heresy, to be proclaimed and for the Church to recapture the vision for evangelism of the entire country. * Pray for an expansion of ministries that equip youth and the less reached in central and northern areas, to impact the nation for Christ. * Pray that the church of Republic of the Congo will fulfil Jesus’ prayer from John 17: to be one with one another and with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit. * Ask God to bless the Republic of Congo and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. ### PERSONAL REFLECTION WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD Jesus spoke to the disciples and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27 PRAYER Spirit of Christ, You can unite people in You, even in our differences. Fill our vision with the sacrifice and love of Jesus, and fill our hearts with love for Jesus, that we may boundlessly love each other. Amen.