Pray for Muslims in The Gambia

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The Gambia, on the west of coast of the continent, surrounded by Senegal, is the smallest country in Africa. It only has 1.5 million inhabitants, who belong to several people groups. The Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, and Jola are all traditionally Muslim. 95% of all Gambians are Muslim, yet there is religious freedom in the country.

Gambia’s youth often move to the coast, where they hope to find universities, high schools, or jobs. Christianity is often considered the religion of the whites; some sadly mistake the tourist’s lifestyle for that of practicing Christians, but happily there are many missions’ organizations and churches near the coast.

Here in Gambia the Gospel speaks to people’s innermost needs. The desire for peace, the fear of evil spirits, and the fear of God’s judgement move many toward a deep longing for the liberating and saving power of the Gospel.

Here are some of God’s saving activities in Gambia:

Dreams have proven to be very influential. There are a number of testimonies of how God has called many to follow Him through dreams. F. had lived and worked with Christians for 10 years. She dreamed the same dream three times. Being Wolof, this repetition was the key factor in her decision to follow Christ. Even when she was later kicked out of her family and disinherited, she remained faithful to the Lord. Today she is married to a Christian and opens her home to others who experience the same persecution.

M., a Mandinka Christian, had his marriage cursed by relatives so that he would remain without children. The relatives had hoped that this would drive him back to Islam. M’s little son is a testimony to the neighbourhood and extended family. Without a single magical amulet on his body, only trusting the Christian God, the little boy is healthy and strong, in spite of the curse that he should not have been born.

B., a Fula, had a deep longing to meet God; even Islamic fasting did not bring him any fulfilment, until God Himself brought him in contact with an evangelical pastor from his own ethnic background.
These and other young Christians need encouragement, practical help, and love.

Prayer requests for The Gambia:

* Pray for more missionaries who would be willing to commit themselves long term, to learn a local language as messengers of the Gospel.

* Pray for a spiritual awakening among the traditional Muslim people groups.

* Pray for the Bible translation efforts in the different local languages.

* Pray for individual encounters in private Bible studies, churches, and Christian families.

* Pray for thorough life and discipleship training of the young Christians, so that they are able to make their way in a world full of hostility and challenge.

* Pray for a growing willingness among local Christians to help those who have been rejected or who have lost employment because of their faith.

Background on The Gambia (World Factbook)

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965; it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty. A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH, the leader of the coup, has been elected president in all subsequent elections.

Economy of The Gambia

The Gambia has no significant mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Unemployment and under-employment rates remain extremely high.

Statistics on The Gambia

Population: 1,735,464 (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 54.95 years

Ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%

Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars

Literacy: 40.1% male: 47.8% - female: 32.8%