54 Days of Prayer for the Healing of AfricaSample

# ANGOLA [IMAGE CONTENT] COLONISED BY PORTUGAL (1575–1975) The colonial conquest of Angola by the Portuguese was a process which unfolded over almost 400 years. Economically, the Portuguese developed Angola through the slave trade (over 8 million Angolans were estimated to have been lost to slavery) and later through the production and exportation of rubber, diamonds, coffee and then oil. They used the natural resources of the country but did little to include Angolans, other than through forced labour. Beginning in 1961, several factions fought against the Portuguese and Angola gained its independence in November 1975. Independence was followed by the 27-year-long Angolan Civil War, which claimed many lives and displaced millions more. Finally, in 2002, conflict subsided and a ceasefire was signed. Today the effects of war are ever-present, and much of the nation is still inaccessible due to land mines and heavily damaged roads. Though economic progress is surprisingly quick, with the nation becoming a leading producer of oil in Africa, many Angolans live on less than one US Dollar per day. HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? From 1575, the Portuguese colony of Angola was placed within the newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of San Salvador, comprising the Congo kingdom and Angola. Despite the demoralisation of the slave trade, and long periods when there was no bishop, the Church survived; areas in Angola are the only part of sub-Saharan Africa where there has been a continuous local Church since the 16th century. Protestant activity, originating in Britain and America, began later in the 19th century. CHURCH TODAY: Angola's first president had strong Marxist ideals and promised to eliminate Christianity during his 20-year rule but was unsuccessful in this endeavour. The nation has seen extraordinary growth in biblical Christianity. Nearly half the population belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and under a quarter to Protestant denominations. ### PRAYER POINTS * Pray for reconciliation between the different tribes after 40 years of civil war. * Pray for the healing of Angola from the injustices of the past. * Pray for the safe removal of millions of landmines still killing and maiming many, especially children. * Pray for desperately needed Christian workers to hear God's call to serve. * Pray that the church of Angola will fulfill Jesus’ prayer from John 17: to be one with one another and with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. * Ask God to bless Angola and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you. ### PERSONAL REFLECTION WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9 PRAYER You are God the creator, from whom all blessings flow. You are Christ the Savior of the world, by whose blood we are set free. You are the Spirit of truth and love, through whom we can fulfill Your calling for our lives. Eternal Trinity, we praise and adore You forever. Amen.