Montenegro – Prayer Country for week of September 6, 2020
The Republic of Montenegro is located in Europe, bordered by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, and the Adriatic Sea. The area is 14,026 square kilometers. It is a coastal Adriatic state which is small but mountainous and picturesque. The capital is Podgorica. The population is about 634,000, most of whom are Slavic.
Montenegro’s economy suffered from war and sanctions in the 1990’s, since it was tied to Serbia as part of Yugoslavia. Adopting the Euro and making the economy investment-friendly has helped. It is now one of Europe’s fastest growing tourist industries. Its government is a multiparty parliamentary democracy.
In terms of religion, Christians make up 77.05% of the population, with Muslims at 15% and other small groups below 8%.
Challenges for prayer include a petition for people to seek peace and a corruption-free nation in their new-found nationhood; that the Orthodox church will experience a renewed spirit and demonstrate Christlike leadership to those who are squabbling over rights and property; the growth of the evangelical community; and that fruitful and mutually edifying partnerships will form among the growing local churches as foreign missions begin to thrive.
Let us lift up this lovely country in prayer; let us pray. Gracious God, we praise You and thank You for the beautiful Republic of Montenegro, which has come through difficult times of war and turbulence. We are grateful for its success in both economy and government. We are also glad that Christians make up a large part of the population, although we put before You the concern regarding the somewhat political Orthodox church and its interests in material things. We pray for a renewal of the Holy Spirit and that the people will turn to You, to focus once again on the Good News of salvation through Christ. We also pray for the strengthening of Christianity through the evangelical community and the foreign missions taking root in Montenegro. May the people experience a refreshment in turning to You in Spirit and in truth. These things we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(adapted from Operation World by Jason Mandryk)