54 Days of Prayer for the Healing of AfricaSample

# CÔTE D’IVOIRE [IMAGE CONTENT] COLONISED BY FRANCE (1842–1960) Côte d'Ivoire profited a lot from the ivory trade in the 17th century – hence, the name, Ivory Coast. SLAVERY - Côte d'Ivoire, like other nations in West Africa, was affected by slave trade, but its lack of protected harbours along the coastline barred the Europeans from developing permanent trade stations. Slave trade was eventually abolished in 1905. COLONIALISM - Cocoa was originally brought to Western Africa by European chocolate companies seeking to grow it where labour was cheap or ‘free’. Coffee and cocoa production made the country an economic powerhouse in the 1960s and 1970s. The Ivory Coast produces around two-fifths of the world's cocoa. Most cocoa farmers earn very little per day. As a result, they often resort to the use of child labour to keep their prices competitive. These children are called “chocolate slaves”. Approximately 2.1 million children in the Ivory Coast and Ghana work on cocoa farms – some are trafficked and some are sold by relatives. In 2015 the Ivory Coast passed laws requiring that children attend school until age 16 and making it illegal for children under 16 to work, but this has had little impact on children trafficked onto cocoa farms. HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? Christian missionaries arrived at the coast in the 17th century but did not win converts in large numbers until the 19th century. CHURCH TODAY: Islam and Christianity are the main religions, but the Church is growing through partnerships in radio broadcasting, publishing, and much more. ### PRAYER POINTS * Pray for deep healing, repentance, restitution and restoration regarding the wounds caused by slavery and colonialism. * Pray for reconciliation and peace after the war. Pray that the peace of God which passes all understanding fill the hearts and minds of all the people of Côte d’Ivoire. * Pray that committed lobby groups worldwide will be successful in their strategy of both educating the public and running corporate campaigns to combat the evil of child labour on the cocoa fields of Côte d'Ivoire. Pray for healing and restoration of these children. * Pray for the gospel to penetrate into the unevangelised sectors of a predominantly Muslim north. * Pray that God will supply all of the needs of indigenous missionaries and for the pure and unadulterated truths of the Bible to be taught and used effectively in discipleship. * Pray that the church of Côte d’Ivoire 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 Côte d’Ivoire and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. ### PERSONALREFLECTION WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God. Romans 12:2 PRAYER Open our eyes, Spirit of truth, to see the grace upon grace You have lavished on us. May we recognise Your hand of blessing and may we bless others with Your love and mercy. Amen.