Christians' ability to meet together is limited by government policy and by the high cost and difficulty of renting facilities capable of hosting larger groups. There are not yet opportunities for the large Asian fellowships and those congregations committed to outreach and evangelism to have their own places of worship.

Christian impact on society. Pray that the many groups of believers among Filipinos, Westerners, Lebanese, Indians, Pakistanis and others may bear fruitful witness to their own communities. Pray also that there might be opportunities to share with non-Christians of all people groups in the country.

Media ministry. No anti-proselytism laws can prevent the airwaves and Internet from influencing Qatar. Pray that gospel radio (FEBA, IBRA and others), TV (Al Hayat, SAT-7 and others) and Christian websites might penetrate the homes and hearts of those living in Qatar. The programmes of Father Zakaria make a great impact in Qatar and throughout the Arab world. Many Arabic language sites, chat rooms and programmes seem to have a powerful effect.

The dark legacy of slavery, abolished in 1848, still overshadows the present. The Creole population are descendants of those slaves. Poverty (over half the population), unemployment (25-33%), alcoholism, dysfunctional families and high illegitimacy marginalize this large underclass. A deep work of healing and laying to rest the legacy of the past is far from complete. Pray for the entire population to come to terms with the past, possible only through faith in Christ.

Although Catholicism is the professed religion of 80% of the population, many Catholics are either very nominal, highly syncretized or both. The Malabar religion - a synthesis of Hinduism and African witchcraft - is practiced by many. Religious beliefs have mixed and blended as much as the Creole people have, such that "Creole Christianity" incorporates Catholicism, other religions, superstitions and the occult. Yet in the Catholic Church there is a vigorous charismatic element and an evangelically oriented house church movement. Pray for those who call themselves Christian but do not know the delivering power of Christ in their lives.

Mature leadership for the young, growing churches is a priority. Most leadership training is informal or must be pursued outside the territory. As with the territory's economic dependence on France, the churches are often dependent on outside help. Pray for recent moves toward developing the local church leadership as well as establishing both spiritual and financial autonomy.