30 Days of Prayer - Liberia

Muslims in Liberia

Ramadan 2007 / 1428 : Day 22 for October 4 (We are posting these one day early to include all time zones.)

“The love of liberty brought us here” was the motto the freed American and Caribbean slaves who founded modern Liberia. Unfortunately Liberia, “the land of the free” was largely destroyed in last decades by civil war (1989-1996 and 2002-2003). Liberia was founded in 1822 by repatriated African American slaves. This West African nation had relative calm until 1980 when food riots sparked an overthrow and eventual civil war. With prayer and action the original vision of a free and prosperous Liberia can be restored.

Muslims in the Northwest

Liberia is a religiously and ethnically diverse country. Religiously, about 40% of the population is Christian, another 40% are animist and 20% are Muslim, primarily in the Northwest. It is made up of sixteen principal tribes and 5% referred to as Americo-Liberians. The predominately Muslim tribes are the Mandingo, Vai, Gbandi, and Mende. In Monrovia, the capital, many Muslims are from other countries. The Muslim presence is highly visible with many mosques, Islamic schools, and people dressed in the traditional robes and head-dress. Islam is growing in Liberia.

Bitterness

Many Liberian Christians know little or next to nothing about Islam. Some have bitterness towards Muslims because of the recent civil war. Charles Taylor’s government (1997-2003) encouraged Islamic practices. To further complicate matters, the current UN peace keeping force is dominated by Muslims. Mosques are being built and renovated around the country. Some of the visiting peace keepers have had children with Liberians and those children are automatically considered to be Muslims.

The country is under-developed. The ethnic or inter-tribal struggles which led to civil war are still active. The church is in its embryonic stages, both numerically and qualitatively. Paganism is at an all time high.

“To maintain Christianity … as an influence in Liberia society, the Liberian Christian community has to do a better job in attending to the needs of the poor, fighting against the systemic corrupt practices in government, condemning ritual killings, and above all fighting for economic and social justice for all. Failure to appropriately address these social ills will result in Islam filling the void and Christianity becoming the marginalised religion.” J. Patrick Flomo, The Perspective

Pray God’s vision for Liberia:

* Charles Taylor’s civil war (ending in 2003) always had religious undertones. Pray that God’s true message of peace can be proclaimed.

* A large number of foreign missionary groups work in the country. Pray that the seeds of truth they have sown will come to bare mighty trees giving hope and refuge to many.

* The Poro and Sande secret societies teach young men and women to seek “supernatural power”. Pray for those locked into these societies to be freed from the chains of darkness.

* The beginning and ending dates of Ramadan cause conflict every year. Pray that the conflict would instead turn to a time to present the Gospel. “All things are possible, only believe.”

* The churches are not prepared adequately to reach out to Muslims nor to train those who are seeking to become disciples. God’s heart for the lost must be the vision of all Christians in Liberia. Pray for practical training for Christians and for those coming to the faith.