Pray for the Isle of Man

The Isle of Man/Mann is an island in the British Isles.
It is located in the northern Irish Sea between northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Douglas is the capital and largest city.
The population is over 84,000.

FACTS
The island's name comes from 'Manannán', a Brythonic and Gaelic sea god.

The Manx cat originated on the Isle of Man.

'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' was filmed on the Isle of Man.

DEMOGRAPHICS
47.6%    Manx
37.2%    English
3.4%     Scottish
2.1%     Northern Irish
2.1%     Irish
1.2%     Welsh
0.3%     Channel Islanders
6.1%     Other

61%     Anglican
14%     Catholic
23%     Other
2%      Orthodox

HISTORY
The island has been inhabited for thousands of years.

During the Iron Age  Brythonic Celtic groups settled there.

During the 5th century Gaelic Celts settled and dominated the island.
The Manx language, a branch of the Gaelic languages emerged during this time.

During the 9th century, Norse  groups began to raid and then settle.
A Norse-Gaelic culture arose and the island came under Norse control.

From the 9th-13th century the Isle was part of the Norse Kingdom of the Isle.
Members
The Hebrides
The Islands of the Firth of Clyde
The Isle of Man

In 1266, the island became part of Scotland.

After a period of alternating rule by Scotland and England the island
came under British rule in 1765.

The island never became part of Great Britain or the United Kingdom
but retained its status as an internally self-governing Crown dependency

In 1866 the island became a democracy but remained dependent upon the UK in many ways.

CONDITIONS
Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy.
Trade takes place mostly with the United Kingdom.

Tourism is also important.
The Isle of Man has recently entered the online gambling industry.

There has been a mass immigration by British migrant workers.

The islands culture is a mix of Celtic,  Norse and British.

The government promotes island locations for making films.
'Thomas and the Magic Railroad' and 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'
were both filmed on the Isle.

The farming community has been struggling with bad weather for over a year.
Thousands of cattle and sheep were buried under drifts during the winter.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
The Isle of Man has a long Christian tradition
Most of the population is Protestant.
61% are Anglican.

Many other faith groups can also be found on the island.

Nominalism is rife.
For many church membership is only a matter of tradition and/or culture.

Many old line congregations rely mainly on dry ritual/liturgical practices.

Many feel that church is not relevant to them.
Non-religion is growing.

Quasi-evangelical and quasi-New age mysticism has arisen.
Often the two are hybridized.

There is a need for doctrinal teaching and discipleship training.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray for the farmers who have lost livestock.
Pray that the weather improves.

Pray that people won’t become addiction to gambling.

Pray that the churches experience a revival and renewal.

Pray that GOD give churches a fresh anointing.

Pray that old line congregations develop means of connecting with younger generations.

Pray that churches gain discernment.

Pray that there be greater teaching and discipleship.

Pray that the Gospel spread.

Pray that occult/New Age spirits be bound.