Pray for Slovakia

Slovakia is a landlocked state in Central Europe.

It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria in the west, Poland in the north,
Ukraine in the east and Hungary in the south.

The population is over five million.
Bratislava is the capital and largest city.
The second largest is Košice.

FACTS
Slovakia was originally part of Czechoslovakia.

DEMOGRAPHICS
80.7%   Slovaks       
8.5 %    Hungarians  
2.0 %    Romani        
0.6 %    Czechs         
0.6%     Ruthenians   
0.1%     Ukrainians   
7.5%     Others/undeclared  

68.9%    Roman Catholic  
15.9%    Non-Christian
13.7%    Atheists
6.9%      Lutherans
4.1%      Greek Catholics
2.2%      Undetermined
2%         Reform Christians

HISTORY
The Slavs arrived in the territory of present day Slovakia in the 5th and 6th centuries.

During the 7th century, they played a significant role in the creation of Samo's Empire.

In the 9th century  the Principality of Nitra was established.

In the 10th century, the territory was integrated into the Kingdom of Hungary,
which later became part of the Habsburg Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Slovaks
and Czechs established Czechoslovakia.

A separate Slovak state briefly existed during World War II

From 1945 Slovakia once again became a part of Czechoslovakia.

Present-day Slovakia became an independent state in 1993 after the dissolution
of Czechoslovakia.

CONDITIONS
Slovakia has successfully developed into a nation with a flourishing economy.  
Many business and government reforms have encouraged growth.  

Services is the largest sector but industry is important too
The main industry sectors are car manufacturing and electrical engineering
Tourism is also important

There is a distinct gap between rich and poor.
Unemployment is still an issue being addressed.
Many suffer from poverty.

Economic reforms and EU membership have both created as well as solved problems.

Increasing wealth for some have given rise to materialism.

There have been tensions between Slovaks and Hungarians over their minority rights.

There have been tensions between the Romani community and many people feel
they are treated as second-class citizens.

Depression and suicide rates are among the highest in Europe.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
There is a rise in moral relativism.

The majority of traditional congregations (Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed)
suffer from widespread nominalism and  are declining in numbers and attendance.

Many who attend church do so out of habit or tradition.

Evangelical denominations are few and small.

Most Christian resources and books are only available in Czech, not Slova.

There is a new desire to reach out and be more active in church planting.

Renewal movements are growing in some churches, especially among Lutherans
as they focus on young people and small groups (Family Fellowships).

There has been a large growth in Jehovah's Witnesses.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray for those suffering from poverty.

Pray that the political leaders make wise decisions.

Pray for fair solutions to the tensions between Slovaks, Hungarians and Romani.

Pray for vision and resources to see more churches planted in every community.

Pray for full time workers to be raised up to join the battle for hearts
of the Slovak people.

Pray for the Gospel to spread.

Pray for increased ministry to young people.

Pray that church renewal movements expand and increase.

Pray for the quality of spiritual life and for fervor in evangelical churches.

Pray for increased discipleship, evangelism and church multiplication.

Pray that the Church in Slovakia be brought to vibrant life by a new move
of the Holy Spirit.