Montserrat – Prayer Territory for the Week of September 20, 2020
The British Overseas Territory of Montserrat, one of the Leeward Islands, is located in the Caribbean Sea. Its area is 102 square miles and has actually increased due to lava flows from Mt. Soufriere, which erupted between 1995 and 2003. The capital is Brades. The population is over 6,700. Most of the people are African Caribbean, with a small percentage of Euro-Americans and even smaller groups of others. The official language is English.
The economy of Montserrat has caused a serious challenge in reestablishing itself because of the eruption mentioned above. It has been said that the massive devastation caused by the eruptions in the late 1990’s nearly destroyed Montserrat as a habitable island, and it may never completely recover. Montserrat is a dependent territory of the UK. Without British assistance, the island probably would not have been reestablished as it is now.
In terms of religion, estimates are that Christians comprise over 95% of the people, non-religious are 2.7%, and Baha’i is 2%. Among the Christian denominations are Protestant, Independent, Anglican, Catholic, Marginal, and Unaffiliated. As for particular groups, Evangelicals make up a little over 23%, Charismatics 14.1%, and Pentecostals 12.9%.
Naturally, the main challenges for prayer include a new start, with Christ placed at the center of island life rather than nominal Christianity, which has largely prevailed in the past; and for the effective rebuilding of congregations, community life, property, and outreach, all of which were severely disrupted.
Let us pray. O Lord, our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters who dwell in Montserrat, a place which is less familiar to most of us than are other places in the world. We pray that the people will not feel forgotten and that they may get a new start in re-establishing their homeland. We pray that You will spare them from future natural disasters. We are glad to see that the population is mainly Christian, a fact which leads us to hope that the Christians are also renewed in their fervor brought about by the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Good News of the Gospel, and in following Jesus. Show us how we may be of service to the people of Montserrat, and may You bless them by supplying all of their needs. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
(Adapted from Operation World by Jason Mandryk)