CÔTE D’IVOIRE
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Capital: Yamoussoukro
Major Language: French
Area: 322,463 km2
Population: 27.2 million
HDI Rank: 162 of 189
Major Religion:
Islam: 11 million (40%)
Other Religions:
Catholic: 5.5 million (20%)
Protestant: 7 million (26%)
Other: 4 million (14%)
General Information:
Before colonialism, Côte D’Ivoire, formerly called Ivory Coast, was made up of numerous kingdoms. European contact with the region dates back to the late 15th century, and trade in ivory and slaves became very vital. The name “Ivory Coast” comes from the nation’s historic ivory trade. Côte D’Ivoire became a French colony in 1893, and achieved full independence 1960. There have been several coups and a civil war since 1999. Polygamy is widely practiced throughout the country, though legally prohibited. The most popular sports in the country are soccer, basketball and boxing.
Religious Background:
The Constitution of Côte D’Ivoire provides freedom of religion. Islam is the major religion, followed by about two-fifths of the population. About one-third of the population is Christian, mostly Catholic or Evangelical. The Muslim population live predominately in the North and Christians reside in the South. Many Christians and Muslims also practice some aspects of indigenous religious beliefs that also includes animism and ancestor worship. Also present in the country are followers of the Harrist faith, an indigenous syncretic religion.
Catholic background:
Capuchins (an order of Franciscans) arrived in the region in 1637. The Dominicans established their ministry in 1701, and the first priests of the Congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary arrived in the region as early as 1844. Systematic evangelization did not begin until 1895 when the Prefecture Apostolic (A 'pre-diocesan' missionary jurisdiction) of the Ivory Coast was created, and missionaries from the Society of African Missions came. Growth of the mission was slow until 1918, but quite rapid thereafter. The Church is composed of 4 archdioceses, 12 dioceses and 287 parishes. Patron saint: None.
Prayer Points
1. Ivorians 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
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Pray for the salvation of 5.5 million Catholics in Côte D’Ivoire.
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Syncretism of Catholicism with traditional African beliefs is widespread. Pray for Catholics to come to know Jesus personally and to be set free from deception.
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Pray that the Holy Spirit will help Catholics to get an opportunity to hear the gospel in ways they can understand and grant them the conviction to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Catholicism teaches that a person should do enough good deeds in order to attain eternal life. Pray for God to reveal the true gospel that salvation is through faith alone in Christ alone.
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Pray for all the Catholics attending the 287 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
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Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 889 priests, 533 brothers and 831 sisters.
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Pray that the Catholics will not be neglected and every effort will be made to proclaim Christ to them.
3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply
Evangelicals are growing steadily and churches are being planted, even in the Muslim-dominated North. Pray that the new believers will be strongly grounded in the Scriptures and that God will raise up godly pastors and leaders. Pray for missionaries to be sent out especially to places where there is no witness for Christ.
4. Social evils and issues in the country
HIV/AIDS claims around 40,000 lives each year. Teenage mothers and school dropouts end up working as hawkers or becoming slaves in cocoa farms across the country. Pray for them to get an opportunity to hear the gospel, and be saved.
5. Other Religions
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Harrists, Mormons, Buddhists, Baha'is, Rastafarians, and adherents of Celestial Church of Christ are found in the country. Pray for churches to have a vision to reach out to them with the gospel, and many to come to Christ.