Malawi

Answer to Prayer

Malawi continues to be a rich spiritual scene with steady evangelical growth. Years of outreach (AE, DM, Global Field Evangelism, CFAN evangelistic campaigns), youth ministry (SU, SCOM/IFES), New Life For All programmes in the churches, house meetings and prayer movements have all contributed. Evangelical presence is widespread in mainline, conservative and African Initiated Churches (AIC). The gospel has penetrated nearly every section of society, and some places have seen local revivals. While charismatic growth in Malawi is less explosive than in other parts of Africa, there is a solid if unspectacular increase in biblical faith across the board, which is in itself a more praiseworthy trend.

Challenge for Prayer

The increasing activity of Islam is a significant issue in Malawi. Over 80% of the Yao are Muslim, and make up the largest block of Muslims in Malawi. The Qu’ran has been translated into Chichewa. A Quranic movement (Sukuti) is trying to replace the prevalent Qaddiriya folk Islam with a more scriptural version of the faith. Malawi has a great influx of funds via the Africa Muslim Agency. These extend Islam’s influence through primary education, scholarships for tertiary students to go to Muslim nations, aid distribution, drilling wells, medical aid, mosque building and many other means. Although the impact of these has thus far been quite limited, pray for awareness and training for the equipping of Christians to meet this challenge. Pray also for a persistent, loving witness to Muslims throughout Malawi.

     For an additional 7 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.