SUDAN

COLONISED BY BRITAIN & EGYPT (1899-1956) Prior to the secession of the south in 2011, Sudan was the largest African country. What is now Sudan was in ancient times the kingdom of Nubia, which came under Egyptian rule after 2600 B.C. Sudan was a major source of slaves for Egypt for several centuries. Missionaries converted the region to Christianity in the 6th century, but an influx of Muslim Arabs, who had already conquered Egypt eventually controlled the area and replaced Christianity with Islam. Egyptians again conquered Sudan in 1874, and after Britain occupied Egypt in 1882, it took over Sudan in 1899, ruling the country in conjunction with Egypt. It was known as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan between 1899 and 1956. Since independence, Sudan has been ruled by a series of unstable parliamentary governments and military regimes. Sudan had its darkest years in history during its two civil wars, between 1956 and 2005 and the Darfur rebellion in 2003. When the country split in 2011, it is estimated that over 35,000 South Sudanese people remained as modern-day slaves in Sudan. Sudan’s political and socio-economic future remain unresolved. 14.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Nearly 12 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity at the end of 2022. The current situation in Sudan is dire.

HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? Christianity has a long history in Sudan. Ancient Nubia was reached by Coptic Christianity by the 2nd century. The Coptic Church was later influenced by Greek Christianity, particularly during the Byzantine era.

CHURCH TODAY: Islam (90.7%), Christianity (5.4%), African traditional (2.9%), Other (1.0%). Today, the majority of Sudan's inhabitants are Arab Sunni Muslims. As the ruling majority, their influence over law and government is strong. Though a recent agreement provided protection for non-Arabs, conversion to Christianity is legally punishable by death. Sudan is number 13 on the Open Doors World Watch List of the top 50 countries in the world where Christians experience the most persecution.

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for deep healing, repentance, restitution and restoration for the wounds caused by slavery and colonialism.
• Pray that the legacy of oppressive, militaristic rule in Sudan might be ended in Jesus’ name.
• Pray that Sudanese believers would remain faithful to Christ despite persecution and join together as a unified body of believers. Pray for their protection. That God will again open the door for foreign workers to return to Sudan.
• Pray for the Prince of Peace to extinguish long-standing division, hatred, and violence—also towards South Sudan.
• Pray for food security for the physically hungry in Sudan.
• Pray that the church of Sudan will fulfil Jesus’ prayer from John 17: to be one with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.
• Ask the Lord to bless Sudan and pray as the Holy Spirit leads you.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." John 10:11

PRAYER

Lord, You are our strength and courage. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. Thank You that You remind us today that we must speak and preach the truth about You to our fellow human beings. Keep us from gossip stories. In Jesus' name! Amen.