Scenically, the Comoros Islands look like a tropical paradise, with picture-postcard beaches and lush greenery. But for the Comorian people, mostly farmers and fishermen, life is hard. Their country, one of the poorest in Africa, depends heavily on international aid. Many suffer from hunger and disease.
Politically Comorians experience constant tension: they’ve endured more than twenty coups or coup attempts since three of the four islands gained independence from France in 1975. (The fourth island, Mayotte, is still a French possession.)
Spiritually the picture is even bleaker. Occult activity and spirit possession form a normal part of daily life, mixed in with traditional Islamic beliefs. 99% of Comorians are Muslim and evangelism is strictly forbidden.
Even so, a tiny minority has come to faith in Christ. Let’s pray that the Comorian church will grow, despite the dangers and difficulties in a country that ranks as one of the world’s worst persecutors of Christians. In May 2007 four men were imprisoned for “involvement in Christianity”.
Not many North Americans have even heard of the Comoros Islands, which lie between Madagascar and the east coast of Africa. But God knows and loves the Comorians and has promised that they will be among the people from every tribe and tongue singing praises to the Lamb for all eternity. Our prayers can help speed the day when that becomes a reality!
- Population 309,000
- Religion 99.99% Muslim (Shafiite)
- Bible None
- Pray for the tiny Comorian church to stand firm and not be intimidated by persecution or led astray by false teaching
- Ask that Comorians would meet the living Jesus through visions and dreams, which have been very effective in opening Muslims to the Gospel
- Pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit to set free those held in Satanic bondage through spirit-possession and occult practices
