Burkina Faso

Capital: Ouagadougou
Major Language: French
Area: 274,200 km2
Population: 21.5 million
HDI Rank: 182 of 189
Major Religion:

Islam: 13.2 million (61.5%)
Other Religions:
Catholic: 4 million (19%)
Protestant: 2 million (9%)
Other: 2.3 million (10.5%)

General Information:

Burkina Faso's name translates as "Land of the honest men." A former French colony, it gained independence in 1960. Military dictatorships followed until the country established a parliamentary government in 1991. Burkina Faso has suffered from recurring droughts and military coups. The nation is Africa’s fourth largest source of gold, but is one of the world’s poorest countries. Thousands of Burkinabés migrate to Ivory Coast and Ghana, mainly for seasonal agricultural work. The country is unsafe for tourists. Soccer and basketball are popular sports in the country.

Religious Background:

Burkinabé are primarily Islamic, with Catholics being the next largest group. However, many Muslims are only nominal followers because syncretism is widespread in Burkina Faso, including among Catholics. Both Christians and Muslims have been targeted and persecuted by the radical jihadist Islamist extremist groups. Indigenous beliefs in animism affect every major religion. Almost 80 ethnic groups embrace countless religious practices, including earth priests, fortune tellers, healers, witchcraft, and animal sacrifice.

Catholic background:

Catholicism was first introduced in Burkina Faso when the French missionaries arrived in 1897. They were largely successful in converting Muslims to Catholicism. Steady missions have continued, and have helped to firmly establish Catholicism in the country over the following five decades. Catholicism in Burkina Faso is riddled with a high degree of syncretism. While Catholics make up only about 20% of the population, their influence in the country is quite strong. The Church is composed of 3 archdioceses, 13 dioceses and 141 parishes. Patron saint: None.

Prayer Points

1. Burkinabés to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior

Pray that everyone will get an opportunity to hear the gospel and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2. Catholics to know Christ

Pray for the salvation of 4 million Catholics in Burkina Faso.
Many are deeply involved in the occult and syncretism. Pray for a revelation of God’s love and Jesus Christ whom, God sent to set people free.
Pray for a new wave of the Holy Spirit, and for the re-awakening and revitalization of the true biblical faith among Catholics.
Pray that Catholics would realize that salvation is not in religion or church membership, but it is in the Person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is through faith in His name alone.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 141 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 716 priests, 491 brothers and 1,218 sisters.
Pray that Catholics would get to hear the gospel in their own language and that entire families and households would be saved as they hear the gospel.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

The Evangelical church is growing, and indigenous missions are finding success. Pray that God would send missionaries to Burkina Faso, and raise up workers within, to share the gospel and bring many to the saving faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for God to raise more laborers, gifted in evangelism, to reach out to the lost across the nation.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

AIDS/HIV, poverty, hunger, and health risks are widespread. Burkina Faso is caught between escalating insurgent violence and widespread social discontent. Pray for the economic and social reforms, and for the situation to improve.

5. Other Religions

Islam is the major religion in the country along with other traditional African religions and folk beliefs. Pray for them to come to a saving faith in Christ, to live a life of obedience, and for the occult power to be broken over them as they follow Him.