Sudan

Answer to Prayer

The planting of churches in previously unreached areas and peoples. The crisis in Darfur, while tragic, has also seen the entry of Christian relief work along with the gospel. Sudanese Christians are church planting in Darfur, and the peoples of Darfur who fled elsewhere are encountering the gospel in their new locations.

Challenge for Prayer

The persistence of slavery in Sudan is a serious issue, again made prominent in the 1990s during the civil war. Almost all slaves are from the south and the Nuba Mountains. Northern militias are the main perpetrators, but inter-tribal raiders and even the SPLA also take captives for enforced labour. Their lot – whether slaves, abductees or POWs – is misery. In the north alone, an estimated 40,000 to 100,000 (or more) southerners are now held as chattel. The controversial buying back of slaves by Western NGOs frees some and raises awareness, but probably exacerbates the problem. Pray that all such wrongs may end, and pray that world leaders may prevail upon all involved to end this wickedness. Shari’a law in the north and the impunity with which northern militias act help perpetuate this barbarism.

     For an additional 11 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.