September 5 - Pray for: Morocco

Arab armies invaded in the 7th century, introduced Islam, and erased a strong North African Berber Church. Moroccans feel proud of their country’s heritage as a centre of Islamic civilization and learning, and they resist Christianity. Only a small percentage have heard the gospel. Moroccan Muslim groups disagree sharply between fundamentalist and moderate practices, but most citizens do not want religious violence to come. Pray for peace throughout the nation, and pray that those who seek violent solutions will not succeed.

Specific unreached minority peoples. Pray for:

• The Berber peoples. Many were nominally Christian until Arabic Islam came; Islam among Berbers is laced with folk magic (especially in rural areas) but devout nevertheless. Currently, there is a revival of traditional language and culture. There are some believers in each of the three major Berber peoples, but nothing like the significant response among Berbers in neighbouring Algeria. Rapid and loving Christian response to a 2004 earthquake in the north generated greater openness and responsiveness to the gospel. Pray that there may soon be groups meeting together using the indigenous languages in each of the three regions.
• The Maghreb Jews once numbered more than 250,000 and enjoyed a rich cultural identity. Most emigrated to Israel in 1948. Today only a few thousand remain in Morocco. There is no known outreach to them at this time.
• The nomadic desert tribes of the south and east, who have little contact with the gospel.
• Rural Moroccan Arabs, while part of the majority people group, are particularly unreached and isolated from the gospel. Few ministries even attempt to reach them.

Sub-Saharan Africans and Asians by the thousands seek entry to Europe. They are often subject to exploitation by traffickers and harsh treatment by the Moroccan government. Some reside there as students. Many are already Christian and have formed vibrant fellowships; many others are coming to faith through the ministry of other Christians in Morocco. Pray for their positive witness to Muslims.

Moroccans migrate in large numbers to search for employment, many illegally and dangerously. There are significant numbers of Moroccans in Europe: in France (approx. 1.1 million); Spain, including Ceuta and Melilla (766,000); Italy (487,000); the Netherlands (363,000); Belgium (298,000); and Germany (127,000). Others reside in the Spanish North African enclave cities of Ceuta and Melilla. Pray for the various agencies seeking to reach them in these lands - some include Avant, AWM, Frontiers, YWAM, OM, PMI and WEC.

Satellite TV has spread rapidly and is very popular in both urban and rural areas. Al-Hayat, SAT-7, and Miracle are all having an impact on millions. Pray for the production of programmes that are culturally sensitive and biblically sound. Pray for good reception of programmes and for impact on the lives and worldview of Moroccans.