Pray for Niger

Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa

It is bordered by Nigeria and Benin in the south, Burkina Faso and Mali in the west,
Algeria and Libya in the north and Chad in the east.

The capital is Niamey.
The population is 15,000,000.

FACTS
Niger is named after the Niger River.

Geographically Niger is the largest nation in West Africa

Over 80 percent of the land area is covered by the Sahara Desert.

DEMOGRAPHICS
56%    Hausa                   (South)
22%    Djerma/Zarma     (South)
8.5      Tuareg                  (North)
8%      Fulani                   (North)  
4.3%   Kanuri                 (South)
1.2%   Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche (North)
10,000 French expatriates

97.14%  Muslim
2.50%    Animsm
0.33%    Christian
0.03        Baha'i

HISTORY
5000 years ago, northern Niger was covered by fertile grasslands.

Niger has been covered by the Sahara Desert for 2000 years.

Over its history Niger has been on the fringes of several large states and kingdoms.

During the 13th century, the nomadic Tuareg formed large confederations.
At their peak, the Tuareg ruled most of northern Niger

The Songhai Empire expanded into Niger during the 15th century.

After the fall of the Songhai Empire, portions of the empire and refugees from Mali
formed a series of Songhai states, including the Dendi Kingdom

In the 18th century both the Fulani and the Hausa controlled the area.

In the 19th century European explorers came to Niger.

In 1922 Niger became a French colony.
Niger became independent of a France in 1960.

After independence, Niger went through five constitutions and three periods of military rule.

After a military coup in 2010, Niger became a democratic, multi-party state.

CONDITIONS
Most of northern Nigeria is covered by the Sahara.
Because of this most of the population is clustered in the far south and west.

The economy is concentrated around subsistence farming and the export of raw materials, especially uranium ore.

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Only 3% of the country can be used for farming.
90% of the population struggle to make enough to live.

Niger is handicapped by its landlocked position, desert terrain and environmental degradation.

Much of the non-desert areas of the country are threatened by periodic drought
and desertification.

Severe droughts and famine in the '80s severely damaged the country.

A drought and locust infestation in 2005 led to food shortages and affected over 2.5 million people.

3.5 million people face starvation.
Tens of thousands of children are in the advanced stages of starvation.
Niger has one of highest infant mortality rates in the world.

The government has minimal services and insufficient funds to develop resources.

Public Health suffers from a chronic lack of resources and a small number of health providers.
Some medicines are in short supply or unavailable.
Disease is very widespread.

A majority live in rural areas, and have little access to advanced education.

Slavery is a current phenomenon.
Although Niger technically banned the practice of slavery in 2003, almost 8%
of the population (800,000 people) are enslaved.

Children are often trafficked for labor in gold mines, sexual exploitation and begging.
Women are abducted and sold into domestic servitude or prostitution.
Young boys are kidnapped for work in stone quarries.

With rapidly growing populations and the competition for natural resources, farmers  
and livestock herders have come increasingly into conflict.

For some years there has been tension between Tuareg rebels in the north and groups in the south.
Al Qaeda has attempted to lure recruits.

A land dispute between Libya remains unresolved and often triggers acts of violence.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
80% of the population is Muslim.
There is a 1,000 year history of Islam among the Kanuri peoples
Groups with strict and aggressive interpretations of Islam are on the increase.

Although Niger is predominantly Muslim, there is a surprising openness, albeit general unresponsiveness — to the Christian message

Social and cultural pressure to remain in or revert to Islam prevents many from following Christ.

The spiritual effects of folk religion and animism are major hindrances to the Gospel

Many churches have been planted through the impact of humanitarian help by Christians in education,
well-digging, agricultural development, leprosy control and health services.

As a result more churches have been planted.

In the last 25 years the number of churches in Niamey has grown from just one to 50.

Many Christians in Niger are isolated
Many believers can't read as a result it is difficult for them to get to grips with the Bible.

27 different  languages and dialects are spoken and not all of them have a complete Bible.

Young people are some of the most receptive to hearing about Jesus,
but there are not enough people committed to working with this generation.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that GOD will do a miracle to counteract all the devastation and food shortages
that the drought and locust infestation have caused

Pray for those suffering from poverty, disease and starvation

Pray for the many children who are dying from widespread disease and hunger.

Pray that relief organizations rally to help improve the country's basic health system.

Pray for new economic revitalization in Niger.

Pray for favor as Niger bargains on oil exploration and gold mining to boost its wealth.

Pray for the thousands of people that are still living in slavery

Pray for the political leaders

Pray for an immediate end to Al Qaeda
Pray that their efforts to recruit and commit acts of terrorism fail.

Pray for the government of Niger to take whatever action necessary to keep their
nation safe from terrorism.

Pray that the rebel movements be toppled

Pray for the leaders of the rebel groups, that they come to Christ,

Pray that missionaries be equipped to reach different people groups.

Pray that Gospel radio stations plant many seeds

Pray that all 27 languages and dialects of Niger soon have radio broadcasts,
Gospel recordings, and a complete Bible.

Pray for more workers to teach and disciple youth.

Pray that existing churches will experience a mighty visitation of the Holy Spirit

Pray for more laborers to be sent with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Pray for more Muslims, animists and followers of Bahai to be reached.

Pray that the land may remain open for Christian missions

Pray that every social, religious and spiritual barrier to the knowledge
of the Lord may be removed.