Prayer Points
- Spiritist beliefs and practices lie beneath the surfaces of Catholicism, other Christian groups, and Islam. Many Gabonese still use charms, hallucinogenic drugs, and ancestral spirits, and go to medicine men. Some leaders of the government, the police, and the army participate in nighttime rituals that use witchcraft and black magic. Christians who do not participate can be refused academic or professional opportunities. Pray for followers of Jesus to remain faithful to Him alone, and for such faith to spread the Gospel even further.
- Despite Gabon being wealthy in resources, many Gabonese continue to dwell in poverty. This is largely due to decades of neglecting the nation’s infrastructure and to prevalent corruption that prevents the country’s wealth from trickling down to all. Women and children are vulnerable to poverty through lack of education and social mores; exploitation and trafficking of children are particularly evil situations. Pray for righteousness to prevail over those seeking to gain profit at the expense of others.
- Muslim numbers continue to grow, initially by immigration of Hausa, Fulani and other West African Muslims, and more recently by conversions among Gabonese men. The former president’s conversion to Islam played a huge role in this, and his son/successor is likely to continue favouring Islamic evangelism, which often involves financial inducements. West African Muslim immigrants, who make up much of the merchant class, and the Arab influence in the oil industry have shaped the country. Despite plans to do so, the Church has not yet effectively started evangelizing Muslims.
