Luxembourg

Challenges for Prayer

Evangelicals are a small minority, and a high proportion of them are foreigners (although almost all congregations have at least some indigenes). In the 23 evangelical churches, worship is conducted in nine different languages, and only a minority have full-time pastors. There is still a great need for more Bible teaching, more Christ-centered churches and more workers to labour in these churches. Evangelicals face several other challenges:

a) A negative bias on the part of government and society, with the stigma of “cults”. This bias makes state recognition, public perception and the renting of buildings difficult for evangelicals.

b) Unity has been a major challenge. While there are still obstacles to seeing real spiritual unity (as opposed to the papery ecumenical variety), genuine progress is being made as the different churches begin to trust one another and to pray and worship together on occasion – great Kingdom potential exists as a result. Pray that old hurts will be overcome and restored relationships achieved.

c) Outreach is limited. Door-to-door and street evangelism is frowned upon by society and the government; gentle and creative methods are much more likely to be effective. Believers are slowly learning how to reach out and are beginning to gain more experience and interest.

     For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.