54 Days of Prayer for the Healing of AfricaSample

# THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO [IMAGE CONTENT] COLONISED BY BELGIUM (1885-1960) The Democratic Republic of Congo is potentially one of the richest countries on Earth, but colonialism, slavery and corruption have turned it into one of the poorest. SLAVERY - In the 1480s, Portuguese traders discovered that the Congo was home to a seemingly inexhaustible supply of strong, disease-resistant slaves. In the 19th century, Arabs raided the country for slaves . COLONIALISM - During King Leopold II of Belgium’s colonial rule (from 1885 to 1908), an estimated 10 million died from punishment and malnutrition, and many more suffered from disease and torture. The Republic of the Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960. Natural resources led to mass conflict and successive civil wars in the 1990s. Rape, murder, plundering, and the use of child soldiers were the weapons used against innocent civilians. These events resulted in an economic slump and a tragic six million lives lost to brutality and disease. Congo’s leaders have redirected billions of dollars from the country and have used brutal violence at times to gain or maintain the ultimate prize: control of the state and its vast natural resources, worth an estimated $24 trillion. HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? In 1491, King Nzinga of the Kongo Kingdom converted to Roman Catholicism, after coming into contact with Portuguese colonial explorers. The largest expansion of Christianity occurred under Belgian colonial rule. CHURCH TODAY: Christianity is the majority religion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and roughly 96% of the population are members of Christian denominations. ### PRAYER POINTS * Pray for deep healing, repentance, restitution and restoration regarding the wounds caused by slavery and colonialism. * Thank the Lord that the present king of Belgium, King Philippe (he is related to King Leopold) has expressed his "deepest regrets" to the Democratic Republic of Congo for his country's colonial abuses in a letter to President Félix Tshisekedi on the 60th anniversary of DR Congo's independence (2020). Pray that these words of the present King will be followed up with actions of repentance and restitution. * Pray for a stable national government rooted in righteousness. * Pray for followers of Jesus to be ambassadors of spiritual and national reconciliation. * Pray for the Prince of Peace to heal those traumatised by widespread violence. * Pray that the church of Democratic Republic of 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 Democratic Republic of Congo and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. ### PERSONAL REFLECTION WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Psalm 67:5 PRAYER Creator God, You made all things good. Today may we focus our attention on seeing the good in everything You made, and may our works and words reflect Your light clearly and cleanly. Amen.