Hungary

Capital: Budapest

Major Language: Hungarian

Area: 93,030 km2

Population: 9.7 million

HDI Rank: 40 of 189

Major Religion:

Catholic: 6 million (62%)

Other Religions:

Protestant: 1.3 million (13%)

Other: 2.5 million (25%)

General Information:

Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under communist rule following World War II and remained so until the collapse of USSR in 1991. Since then, Hungary has developed a stable democratic government. It has established close political and economic ties to Western Europe, and is a member of EU and NATO. Hungary has some of Europe's best and most unique spas, public baths, and thermal springs. It’s also known for its ever-popular Hungarian goulash. Soccer is the most popular sport in Hungary.

Religious Background:

Historically, religion in Hungary has been dominated by Christianity since the country’s founding in the 11th century. Catholicism was the state religion until as late as 16th century. Catholics still form the single largest religious entity in the country, with more than half of the population. Hungary claims no official religion, and guarantees religious freedom to all its citizens. About one-tenth of the population are Calvinist. Hungarians, by and large, are indifferent to the gospel. Materialism, hedonism, alcoholism and false religions have taken over.

Catholic background:

Catholicism was introduced in Hungary in 1000 A.D. Religious orders like the Cistercians, Augustinians, Franciscans, Dominicans, and the Benedictines Premonstratensians, all played an important role in Hungary's religious and cultural development. In the 1600s though, Hungary became 90% Protestant, but after the Counter Reformation (or also known as the Catholic Reformation), Catholicism spread widely throughout Hungary. The Church is composed of 4 archdioceses, 10 dioceses and 2,221 parishes. Patron saints: Stephen, Gerard Sagredo, Adalbert.

Prayer Points

1. Hungarians 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 6 million Catholics in Hungary.
Religious apathy, worldliness and nominalism is widespread in the Catholic Church. Pray that Catholics will positively respond to the gospel and be saved.
Pray for God to open doors into every Catholic home to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ and to embrace Him as their Lord and Savior.
Pray that Catholics will understand that God saves us, not by the righteous deeds we do, but because of His mercy.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 2,221 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 2,175 priests, 483 brothers and 1,237 sisters.
Pray for Catholics who are desperately seeking for Bible truth, to meet believers who can share the Good News and lead them to Christ.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

Evangelicals, though still very small in number, are steadily growing in size and maturity. There is a restriction to open witnessing. Pray that the Evangelical Christians will remain strong, and plant many Bible-believing churches in Hungary. Pray that their efforts to reach the lost with the true gospel of Jesus Christ would be blessed.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

Materialism, hedonism, alcoholism, corruption, unemployment and widespread poverty, are some of the issues that plague the Hungarian society. Pray for God to powerfully intervene in their lives so that their hearts would turn to Jesus.

5. Other Religions

About a fourth of the population is involved in occultism, Eastern mysticism, paganism, witchcraft, shamanism, and false religions. Pray that God’s truth will be revealed to them and that they will know the Savior and walk in His Light.