Switzerland

Capital: Bern

Major Languages: German, French, Italian

Area: 41,285 km2

Population: 8.7 million

HDI Rank: 2 of 189

Major Religion:

Catholic: 3.2 million (36.5%)

Other Religions:

Protestant: 2.7 million (30.3%)

Islam: 0.5 million (5.2%)

Other: 2.6 million (30%)

General Information:

Switzerland was formally formed in 1291, and it has notably long maintained a neutral position in world events. The country is known for its world-renowned natural beauty, cheese, chocolates and clocks. Skiing and mountaineering are important leisure activities. It is among the world’s richest and most developed countries, and its economy is based on trade, tourism, and banking. Switzerland’s “Gotthard Tunnel” is the longest tunnel in the world. The nation is the birthplace of “Red Cross”, and is known for its “Swiss Guard”. Most popular sport is soccer.

Religious Background:

Christianity has long been the dominant religion of the Swiss people although the percentage of the population who identify with the religion has declined. The Swiss Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority is made up of Catholics and Protestants. About 25% of the population of Switzerland is not affiliated with any religion. This includes the agnostic and atheist. Switzerland's history is closely intertwined with the Protestant Reformation. Calvin and Zwingli were the leading figures behind the Reformation from Switzerland.

Catholic background:

Saint Gallus, in the early 7th century, was primarily responsible for introducing Catholicism to the Swiss who at the time practiced Germanic paganism. Catholicism was the only Christian denomination practiced in Switzerland until the Reformation that led to a change in the status quo. Historically, this nation was greatly divided between Catholicism and Protestantism. The Catholic Church has seen stagnation and decline over the years. The Church is composed of 2 archdioceses, 7 dioceses and 1,662 parishes. Patron saint: Nicholas of Flüe.

Prayer Points

1. Swiss 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 3.2 million Catholics in Switzerland.
The Catholic Church has been facing stagnation and decline. Pray for Catholics to commit their lives to Christ and find true meaning and purpose in life.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will enable and empower the Body of Christ to reach out to every Catholic, in the nation.
Pray for many Catholics to be set free from nominalism and secularism. Pray that they would come into a living, loving relationship with Jesus Christ and enjoy the real joy of being His followers.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 1,662 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 3,000 priests, 1,606 brothers and 5,679 sisters.
Pray that the gospel will spread to every Catholic home in the country and there would be an openness to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

Evangelical churches are working toward being culturally relevant and adapting to the changing trends. Pray for effective strategies and innovative ideas in order to open doors and reach out to those who are frustrated with traditional religiosity. Ask God to raise up an army of soul winners to reach the lost in the nation with the true gospel.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

Wealth, comfort, indifference and a vague religiosity are the norm. The younger generation explore eastern religions and experiment with the occult. Pray that they would get a revelation of Jesus as the only way, the truth and the life.

5. Other Religions

Around half a million of the Swiss population identify as Muslims. Jehovah’s Witness, Neo-Pietism, Buddhism and Hinduism are growing rapidly. Pray for the seeds of the gospel to be sown among them, and many would trust Jesus as Lord.