Daily Christian Journey

Africa’s Growing Church: A Call to Prayer

As the world grapples with the challenges of economic poverty and social deprivation in Africa, it’s easy to overlook the remarkable growth of the church on this continent. Despite the troubles that have beset Africa, the church is thriving, and it’s essential that we join our brothers and sisters in prayer to support their efforts.

Reasons to Rejoice

There are several reasons to thank God for the church in Africa:

• Phenomenal Growth: The African church has experienced incredible growth, from approximately 9 million Christians at the beginning of the 20th century to around 380 million today.
• Zeal for the Gospel: Believers in Africa are passionate about sharing their faith, and it’s not uncommon to see them witnessing on buses, trains, and streets.
• Young and Vibrant: The church in Africa is relatively young, with a significant proportion of its members under the age of 25. This bodes well for the future of the church.

Challenges Ahead

While there is much to celebrate, the church in Africa also faces significant challenges:

• Prosperity Gospel and Deliverance Movement: The growth of these movements has weakened the church, promising wealth and health instead of the true biblical gospel.
• Islam and Christian Cults: Militant Islam and cults such as Jehovah’s Witnesses are multiplying, leaving destruction in their wake and persecuting believers.
• Lack of Resources: The church is growing rapidly, but traditional forms of training are struggling to keep up, leaving a shortage of equipped leaders.

Prayer Points

As we consider the church in Africa, let’s pray for:

• True Gospel Preaching: That the gospel will be proclaimed in all its fullness, and that believers will be strengthened in their faith.
• Innovation in Training: That new forms of grassroots training will emerge, equipping leaders to preserve God’s people from spiritual wolves.
• Conservative Evangelical Preachers: That faithful preachers will maximize the use of the internet to spread the gospel and disciple believers.
• Global Missions: That the African church will take its place in global missions, recognizing the potential that lies within their churches to bless the rest of the world.

As we pray for the church in Africa, let’s remember that we are part of a global body, united in our desire to see the gospel spread and God’s kingdom established. May our prayers be a catalyst for growth, renewal, and revival in Africa and beyond.