Greece

Challenges for Prayer

The Orthodox Church was a rallying point for Greece during the long Ottoman and then German occupations. Orthodoxy became a deep part of Greek identity and contributed to an attitude of xenophobia. Other expressions of Christianity are seen as a threat. Renewal within the Orthodox framework tends to mean anti-heresy movements and increased monasticism. Most Greeks are ignorant of the gospel message and are unreceptive to any non-Orthodox witness. Points for prayer:

a) Spiritual renewal and reformation are needed within the Greek Orthodox Church. Pray for the archbishop, the bishops and priests to be led by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit and to in turn lead the people of Greece into a life-changing encounter with the living God.

b) The relationship between Orthodox and Protestant communities has been characterized by rivalry, mistrust and hostility. Pray that members and leaders in both might recognize the true enemy and work together to build God’s Kingdom.

c) There are growing calls from within the Orthodox community for the re-evangelization of the Greek people. Thank God for the recognition that there is spiritual work to be done; pray that this may lead to greater collaboration between Orthodox and evangelical churches.

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