PRAYING for BELGIUM

6th February 2011

Pray for Belgium

Population  10.4 Million with 335 people per sq km

Religion  70% Christian   

Prayer needs  

Belgium is a deeply divided nation. Its territory has straddled the cultural divide between the Latin/Romance and Germanic worlds for 2,000 years. It has also long been oppressed and fought over by surrounding nations. Though one in Catholic culture, the Walloon-Flemish rivalry and resentments colour the use of language, the economy, politics, religious life and worldviews of both communities. Pray that national leaders at every level may successfully work for the unity of the nation. The break-up of the nation could occur without this. The population is culturally Catholic but rapidly secularizing. Although 90% would be classified as Catholic, regular attendance has plummeted to 11% of the population. The Protestant Church is only now recovering from the destruction of its 600 congregations by the Spanish Inquisition in the 16^th Century. Pray that the light of the gospel may shine clearly once more, overcoming fears and prejudices, and attract many. Kim Clijsters who won the Australian Open on the 29^th of January 2011 is from Belgium.