Bosnia

Challenges for Prayer

The post-war socio-economic situation is troubled, and recovery is slow. A poor country even before the strife, Bosnia still struggles with poverty. Only organized crime syndicates do well for themselves; these groups must be shut down if Bosnia hopes to join the EU with all the accompanying financial rewards. Young people in particular are pessimistic – more than 60% want to leave the country; the brain and youth drains further sap Bosnia’s potential. Pray for economic transformation, and for a new generation of Bosnians to lead their nation into a bright future rather than flee a sinking ship.

Religious communities are as entrenched as ever and deeply divided along ethnic lines. Orthodoxy has been subverted by Serb nationalism, and Catholicism by Croat nationalism. Militant Wahhabism from the Middle East (that has bankrolled the rapid rebuilding of mosques, many illegally) is replacing the previously European, Sufi-influenced moderate Islam of Bosnia. A precious few are building bridges across religious divides. All groups view Protestants and Independents suspiciously. Pray for the Spirit to move powerfully among all Churches and for Christians to recognize that their citizenship lies first in Heaven.

     For an additional 6 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.