Pray for: Germany

The decline of Christianity in Germany continues into the 21st century. West Germany was 97% Christian in 1960, but Germany is now less than 53% Christian, and that percentage decreases every year. Church attendance for all denominations is low, and many churches have shut down. Christians divide between Protestants and Catholics, liberals and conservatives, and conservative evangelicals and Pentecostal/charismatic groups. However, we can thank God that this decline has drawn some believers together in new ways. Prayer movements formed and spread, and churches now work together across some cities or regions for evangelism, outreach, and mission.

Germany’s wealth, influence, and location in the EU and Europe could be of great value for the Kingdom of God. This would require strong, courageous leadership based on Christian values, but the spiritual health of Germany is currently in decay. Destructive criticism of the Bible in the 19th century weakened the Church, and opened the way for pagan Nazi rule in the 20th century. Like much of Europe, Germany faces a crisis of spirituality. New Age, the occult, Satanism, and new forms of the old pagan religions all gain followers, but none grow as quickly as the group claiming “no religion”. Migrants bring their own versions of faith with them – including vibrant Christianity. Pray for God to raise up leaders who will love righteousness and strong moral values, even when they face temptation to compromise.

Millions of immigrants, guest workers, students, and refugees have come to Germany since 1989. Many arrive illegally, and some have connections to international criminal networks. Some are vibrant Christians, but most do not know the gospel. Germany’s generous openness (and need for a larger workforce) were most pronounced by the large numbers of migrants who arrived as a result of the migrant crisis of 2015 and thereafter. German society and government struggle to react well to this massive inflow of people, and some have reacted with violence or bitterness towards immigrants, especially in the east. Yet it is an amazing mission opportunity. Pray for:

• More churches among many foreign peoples (Asian, African, Latin American, European). German Christians must seize this opportunity of an open window to share the gospel! Pray also for immigrant churches to reach out cross-culturally to their host country and to other migrant neighbours.
• International students (460,000 one of the world’s highest totals). Many come to Germany with no understanding of the gospel or previous interactions with Christians.
• Muslims (more than 5 million, from over 40 nations). They often live in neighbourhoods with their own people, and do not integrate into German society. 4,000-5,000 come to faith in Christ each year (and increasing), but 1,000 or more ethnic Germans convert to Islam each year. Least-reached people groups. Pray for outreach to the 2.5 million Turks and up to 1 million Kurds. Pray also for the Iranians (100,000), North African Arabs and Berbers (300,000), and Bosnian Muslims (285,000). Syrian refugees make up most of the latest wave , and number in the hundreds of thousands as of 2016.