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23rd August 2009 |
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Pray for Latvia
Latvia has a population of 2.2 million. A fertile plain with 3,000 lakes and indented by the Gulf of Riga. The central of the three Baltic republics. It has been ruled by the Germans, Danes, Poles, Swedes and Russians since the Middle Ages. Its brief independence from Russia (1917-1940) was ended by Stalin's reconquest. Independent in 1991 as a multi-party democracy.
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Christian beginnings go back to the 13th Century. Latvians were early supporters of Luther and much of the population converted to Lutheranism. The churches were harshly persecuted under both the Nazis and the Communists. The post-independence religious bubble has burst. The spiritual urgency of the early 1990’s has largely lapsed into general spiritual apathy. While religious freedom exists, only about 2% of the population regularly attend church. Although the smaller evangelical denominations continue to grow, the Lutheran and Catholic churches still struggle with nominalism and a lack of teaching and pastors. Continue to pray for healthy growth in the churches and harmony between believers of different ethnicities. Youth ministries are again beginning to take off. IFES is working in Latvia and SU camps are ministering to Latvian youth. Among Latvian youth, 80% believe in God, but few have been introduced to Christ. Pray for more workers with the vision to reach young people. Latvian Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran are the 3 main denominations and there are now 600 Evangelical Churches. | |