Mexico

Capital: Mexico City

Major Language: Spanish

Area: 2 million km2

Population: 130 million

HDI Rank: 74 of 189

Major Religion:

Catholic: 108 million (83%)

Other Religions:

Protestant: 9 million (7%)

Other: 13 million (10%)

General Information:

Mexico, land of the Aztecs and Maya was colonized by the Spanish in 1519. Mexican mines yielded huge amounts of gold and silver, making Mexico the most prosperous of Spanish colonies in the New World. Mexican independence was attained in 1821. The majority of the Mexican population is Mestizo. Mexico has the largest taxi cab fleet, the most museums, and is the largest producer of silver, in the world. Mexican culture is heavily influenced by the “vaquero” (cowboy) tradition. Tortillas, beans and corn are staple diet. Most popular sport is soccer.

Religious Background:

Mexico has no official religion, but most of the inhabitants are Catholic, and Catholicism plays a huge role in Mexican culture. In some places Catholic ceremonies practiced in Mexico have Mayan and Aztec overtones. A good number of Mexicans do not ascribe to any religion in the country. The Evangelicals in Mexico originated with the British and American missionaries in the 19th century. The number of atheists in the country is growing. Religious identity is often expressed as a form of political or cultural identity, rather than spiritual practice.

Catholic background:

Mexico is the second largest Catholic populated country in the world. The Catholic Church dominated the country for 300 years during the Spanish reign. It became the privileged church, the state religion, the only religion legally permitted and financed by the Crown. Most Mexicans are culturally Catholic, and some include a mixture of forms of Catholic and indigenous Santeria practices. Only about 10% regularly attend church. The Church is composed of 19 archdioceses, 75 dioceses and 6,101 parishes. Patron saints: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Joseph.

Prayer Points

1. Mexicans 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 108 million Catholics in Mexico.
Most are cultural Catholics and blend Catholicism with traditional pagan beliefs. Pray for a Holy Spirit-driven revival to sweep through the Catholic Church.
Pray that the light of Christ will blot out every darkness in the nation and the gospel will come forth with full power and conviction.
Pray that Catholics will not put their faith in their works and self-effort but rather put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ and His righteousness.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 6,101 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 14,618 priests, 6,509 brothers and 29,051 sisters.
Pray that Evangelical Christians will see great fruit as thousands of Catholics come to the Lord through their witness.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

Evangelicals have increased ten-fold in the last few decades. The Evangelical movement continues to grow. Many are first-generation believers. Pray for their spiritual growth, and that they would be a vibrant, radical witness for the Lord Jesus. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to work among the lost and be fruitful in their labor.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

Mexico has one of the highest violence rates in the world. Kidnapping, drug trafficking cartels and especially gang violence have left thousands dead. Pray that many would leave their evil ways and come to the saving knowledge of our Lord.

5. Other Religions

Jehovah’s Witness, Mormonism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Bahá'í Faith, Hinduism and Sikhism are other minority groups found in the country. Pray that the revelation of God’s truth will come powerfully to them.