Prayer for the Nations: February 14-22

Did you know that the U.S. has territory even further west than Hawaii? American Samoa (not to be confused with Samoa), located near Australia in the Pacific Ocean, is an unincorporated territory and has been since 1900. The status of an unincorporated territory allows this island all rights of a US citizen except the ability to vote in US elections. We can praise God that evangelical ministries are making an impact on this nation; however, we can be in prayer as cults (particularly Mormons) are on the rise. Also, with a higher economic status than its close island neighbors, materialism is a common fault of its people.

Here are a few quick facts for other nations I'll be praying for during the next few days:

Andorra (Europe)

• 90% of the population claims Catholic affiliation, yet there is great lacking of true faith.
• Evangelical growth is slow.
• Materialism plagues this country as a result of duty-free goods.

Angola (Africa)

• Suffers from a 40 year period of constant war (1962-2002) 
• widespread poverty
• many orphaned and abandoned children
• 2006 - child mortality rate was listed at 26%
• 2006 - children that suffered from malnutrition at 45%
• There is religious freedom, but Islam and Witchcraft are infiltrating the church.
• Angola is seeing great evangelical growth, but suffers from a lack of Christian leaders.

Anguilla (Caribbean - British Territory)

• Pray for spiritual strength in the midst of change.

Antigua & Barbuda (Caribbean)

• Strong feeling of complacency among the Christians. Pray for revival and an awakening of faith. 
• Strongholds of sin remain prominent even within the church: money laundering, drugs, violence, and gambling.

Argentina (South America)

• Argentina was one of the world's richest nations as of 1900; a succession of crises lead to massive economic destruction beginning in 1999. 
• wide gap between the rich and poor. 
• many slum dwellers, homeless, and street children
• crises have drawn Argentines back to God, yet many in the captial city of Buenos Aires have meaningful encounters with the gospel.
• Prison ministries are greatly impacting the jails in Argentina. 
• This nation has one of the world's largest Mormon populations.

Armenia (Asia)

• People are fearful due to an armed cease fire which still continues today (beginning in 1994)
• Armenia was the world's first Christian nation. 
• There has been growth in the number of believers since 1900.
• The traditional nature of the church keeps people from truly experiencing the living God through meaningful encounters.
• Bible reading is rare.
• Widespread poverty plagues the nation and unemployment is high - both results of a communist past.

Aruba (Caribbean)

• Evangelical presence is growing.
• The importation of "alien" theologies and prosperity preaching is effecting church unity around the island.