Pray for: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Congo has endured intense suffering and exploitation for centuries. 19th-century Arabs raided the country for slaves. The horrific colonial rule of Belgium’s King Leopold II led to the deaths of 10 million people in the 30 years before 1908. Belgian control and international mining companies exploited Congo’s resources, but oppressed the people. Western countries then supported the corrupt regime of the dictator Mobutu, which laid the foundation for much of the current chaos. Rebels groups, militias, foreign armed forces, and Congo’s army are clashing in eastern Congo, evoking the spectre of the millions of lives lost from similar conflicts from 1996-2003. All the while, ruthless foreign interests exploit the poverty and chaos to plunder Congo’s rich natural resources, especially its minerals. These evils and injustices, past and present, must be brought to light and things must be put right for this nation and its people. No modern tragedy has been so enduring and yet so ignored by the global media and the global Church. Christian groups in Belgium expressed repentance for past evils their country committed, and this was a positive start.

The powerful spiritual evil that influences much of this land shows itself in deeper ways than wars, killings, greed, and corruption. Wicked men committed widespread rape, unspeakable brutality, cannibalism, and witchcraft against adults and children. The DRC is the worst country in the world regarding sexual violence against women. How could these horrors spread throughout a land with over 90% who profess Christianity? This moves our hearts, and calls us to spiritual warfare. Cry out for God to deliver this land, and to bind the spirits that have such power over a suffering people.