Netherlands

Capital: Amsterdam

Major Language: Dutch

Area: 41,865 km2

Population: 17.2 million

HDI Rank: 8 of 189

Major Religion:

Catholic: 4 million (23.7%)

Other Religions:

Protestant: 3.5 million (20%)

Islam: 1 million (5%)

Other: 9 million (51.3%)

General Information:

Netherlands was occupied by many foreign forces until it gained independence in 1839. The Dutch are friendly and sociable, and have a long history of tolerance and acceptance. They were the first country to legalize gay marriage, in 2001. Netherlands has produced famous artists such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh. The Hague, the seat of government, is home to over 150 international organizations. The country is known for its tulips, windmills and bicycles. There are more bicycles in the Netherlands than people. Soccer and hockey are the most popular sports.

Religious Background:

Religion in the Netherlands was dominated by Christianity between the 10th and 20th centuries. Since then, there has been a significant decline in both Catholic and Protestant Christianity. Less than 20% of the Dutch people attend church regularly, and half of all church buildings have been converted into bars, museums and even mosques. Half the population of Netherlands identifies itself as non-religious, especially the youth. The nation is a world leader in promoting New Age worldviews. Netherlands has a relatively sizable Muslim population.

Catholic background:

Catholicism may have been introduced in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The first Catholic bishop arrived only in the 4th century. The 16th century saw a great rivalry between the Calvinists and the Catholic Church. The Calvinist’s reformed religion cut short all organized Catholic life. Many joined the newly established Protestant churches. There has been a significant decline in Church membership in the last few decades. The Church is composed of one archdiocese, 7 dioceses and 1,520 parishes. Patron saint: Willibrord.

Prayer Points

1. Dutch 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 Netherlands.
Catholicism does not have much relevance, and most Catholics are nominal. Pray for God to spark interest in them to know Christ.
Ask God for a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit so that multitudes may come to know Christ and follow Him.
Pray that Catholics will understand that justification is not earned by any good works or merits of their own but rather it is entirely God's gift received through faith in Christ alone.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 1,520 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 3,418 priests, 3,383 brothers and 9,128 sisters.
Pray for Catholics who have accepted Jesus to grow in their faith and become committed disciples of Jesus Christ.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

Church growth is taking place steadily, with many foreign missionaries helping with church planting. The growth of the evangelical movement gives hope for the future. Pray that the many local churches will be a growing witness to the Dutch. Pray for Evangelicals to find natural and relevant ways to share with their neighbors about the Lord Jesus.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

Drug menace, legalization of prostitution and gay marriage, New Age worldviews and secularization are some of the evils that haunt Netherlands. Pray that God will break the influence of the spiritual principalities and powers over the country.

5. Other Religions

Young people in the Netherlands are becoming more open to the gospel. There are great opportunities existing for reaching out to the Muslim minority. Pray that God would raise Christians to reach out to them with the gospel.