Pray for: Saudi Arabia

Flag for Saudi Arabia

Key Stats

Religion & Geography
Category Statistic
Continent: Asia
Capital: Riyadh
Population: 37,473,929
% Urban: 84.5 %
Population Under 15 Yrs: 24.9 %
Official Language: Arabic
Languages: 20
Literacy Rate: 95 %
Life Expectancy: 76.9 yrs (69/236)
HDI Ranking: 35 / 189
% Christian: 5.4 %
% Evangelical: 0.3 %
Largest Religion: Muslim
% Largest Religion: 92.4 %
People Groups: 45
Least Reached People Groups: 29
% Unevangelized: 58 %
Persecution Ranking: 13 / 50

Saudi Arabia

Title: Saudi Arabia

Tier: 1

Type: country

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace and stronghold of Islam. From Mecca, Islam holds influence over billions, and touches many cultures worldwide. Billions of oil dollars go towards promotion of Islam around the world every year. A spiritual breakthrough for Jesus Christ here would transform Islam and all who follow it! All Muslims must pray toward Mecca 5 times daily, and over 2 million Muslims make the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca every year. Pray that many who seek God might encounter the living Christ.

Saudi Arabia

Title: Saudi Arabia

Tier: 1

Type: country

Saudi Arabia’s record on religious freedom and human rights is probably the world’s worst. People of faiths other than Islam can live in Saudi Arabia, but they cannot practise their religion openly or even gather privately. Restrictions limit women in driving, voting, work, and their presence outside the home. Authorities watch Christian expatriates all the time, and those caught meeting even in homes can face beatings, prison, expulsion, or even execution. Pray for strength, wisdom, and courage for the community of foreign believers. Pray also for a witness to Christ among all foreign workers, that many might come to Jesus while in this land.

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Content taken or adapted from Operation World, 7th Edition (2010) and Pray for the World (2015). Both books are published by InterVarsity Press. All rights reserved.