Pray for Switzerland

Switzerland is situated in western Europe.
It is bordered by Germany in the north, France in the west, Italy in the south,
and Austria and Liechtenstein in the east.

The population is about 8 million.
Bern is the capital.
Zurich is the largest city.

FACTS
Switzerland is renowned for its great beauty.
The Swiss Alps are one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world.

The town of Bürglen, is said be the birthplace of the legendary William Tell.

Switzerland was at one time of the poorest countries in Europe.

Switzerland was a major center of the Protestant Reformation.
Zwingli, John Calvin, and several Anabaptist sects all founded churches in Switzerland.

Switzerland is where the famous St Bernard dogs were originaly bred.

Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross.

The Swiss have won more Nobel prizes and registered more patents for inventions
than any other country.

Switzerland has a long history of armed neutrality.
Switzerland has not been in a war since 1815.

Switzerland did not join the United Nations until 2002.

DEMOGRAPHICS
78% Swiss
22% Immigrants

38.8% Catholic
30.9% Protestant
20.1% None
4.5%  Muslim
5.7%  Other

HISTORY
Switzerland and the area around it has been inhabited for thousands of years.

During the Iron Age the area was inhabited by various Celtic tribes,
including the Helvetii.

In 15 B.C. the area were conquered by the Roman Empire.

During the 4th and 5th century the area was divided between the Burgundians
and Alemanni.

From the 6th-8th centuries it was under the control of the Franks.

In 843 A.D. the area was divided into Middle Francia and East Francia.
The parts were reunified under the Holy Roman Empire around 1000 AD.

The modern nation of Switzerland began in 1291 when The Old Swiss Confederacy
formed as an alliance among valley communities of the central Alps.

Over the next 200 years the confederates expanded their influence.

For a long time Switzerland was one of the poorest countries in Europe.
Many young men sought their fortunes abroad.  

During the 14-15th centuries many Swiss became mercenaries in the armies
of other countries, forming the Swiss Mercenaries.
Swiss Mercenaries became especially noted for their aid to France.

Many Swiss soldiers served as guards at foreign European courts.
The Papal Swiss Guard (located in Vatican City), was founded in 1506
and still exists today.

During the 16th and 17th centuries there were internal religious conflicts
between Protestants and Catholics.

In 1798 France conquered Switzerland.
When war broke out between France, Russian and Austria, Russian and Austrian
forces invaded Switzerland.

In 1815 Switzerland's independence was re-established.
From that point on Switzerland observed a policy of neutrality.

CONDITIONS
Switzerland is one of the richest countries in the world.

Zurich and Geneva have been ranked as the cities with the 2nd and 3rd
highest quality of life in the world.

Despite its armed neutrality Switzerland has an active foreign policy.
Switzerland is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world.

Geneva and Zurich have developed as international financial centers.

Low birthrates and a rapidly growing aged population pressure the pension system
and require high levels of immigration

Immigration has become a huge social issue.

Switzerland has a higher proportion of foreign nationals than any other
European country.  

Over 22% of the population are foreigners, many from Muslim backgrounds.
Integration of these groups is often a problem.

There has been growing political apathy and a reactionary presence of far-right
political groups.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Few Swiss today have any interest or understanding of real Christianity.

Indifference and a vague religiosity are the norm.

Many baptized as children retain no real link with any church.

Enrolled church membership has dropped over the last 30 years.

The younger generation explores eastern religions and the occult as much as Christianity.

Because of immigration Islam is growing.

There is a growing movement of youth congregations.

There are rapidly growing immigrant churches.

Unity is increasing among churches of different backgrounds.

There is a spreading public presence of the gospel in TV, radio, Internet,
newspapers, seminars and conference events

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that issues over immigration be settled fairly.

Pray that the churches experience a revival

Pray that Muslim immigrants be exposed to the Gospel.

Pray for the churches that are committed to working with every ethnic
group and people.

Pray for the prayer cells throughout Switzerland.

Pray that congregational outreach may increase.

Pray that the Body of Christ (especially the intercessors) in Switzerland
be ready to act as watchmen for Israel, the nations of Europe and the world.