March 13 - Pray for: Bosnia

Religious communities are as entrenched as ever and deeply divided along ethnic lines. Orthodoxy has been subverted by Serb nationalism, and Catholicism by Croat nationalism. Militant Wahhabism from the Middle East (that has bankrolled the rapid rebuilding of mosques, many illegally) is replacing the previously European, Sufi-influenced moderate Islam of Bosnia. A precious few are building bridges across religious divides. All groups view Protestants and Independents suspiciously. Pray for the Spirit to move powerfully among all Churches and for Christians to recognize that their citizenship lies first in Heaven.

Evangelical believers have increased significantly but still represent only a miniscule proportion of the population. From three congregations in 1991, there are now about 35. Only evangelicals are effectively bridging the ethnic fault lines. Baptists and Pentecostals predominate, but several other smaller churches are also at work. Baptists run a seminary in Sarajevo, and both Pentecostals and Baptists have Bible schools. An Evangelical Alliance has been founded for Bosnia. Pray for believers and their witness in this divided land. Bosnia is not a spiritually receptive place; pray that many hearts might open to the gospel.

Expatriate Christian input is definitely needed for believers in Bosnia to have a greater impact, and there are many ways to impact the nation. Pray that those engaged in leadership development, aid, rehabilitation, outreach and church planting ministries might fully identify with the people, and that through these a harvest may be won. Pray for effective networking among expatriates. The largest agencies: Pioneers, OM, Novi Most International and TE.