Mozambique
Update 6 June 2014
Two CPM training sessions were held in May by different international training teams. Pray that the trainees are able to put the training into practice in their local areas.
Background information
Geography
Major cities: Capital–Maputo (pop. 1.6 million; 2011 est.); Beira, Matola, Nampula, Quelimane, Tete, Nacala, Pemba.
People
Population (2011 est.): 22.9 million; Annual population growth rate (2011): 2.4%.
Ethnic groups: African 99.7% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Makonde, Lomwe, Shangaan, Shona, Sena, Ndau, and other indigenous groups); remaining percentages include Europeans, Euro-Africans, and South Asians.
Religions (2007 census): Christian 56% (mainly Roman Cathlic, also Zionism) Muslim 18%, indigenous African and other beliefs 26%.
Languages: Portuguese (official), various indigenous languages.
Education: Average years of schooling–male 10, female 8. Adult illiteracy rate (2008)–52.2%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2011)–79/1,000. Life expectancy (2011)–52 years.
Work force (9.9 million; 2010 est.): By occupation (1997 estimate)–agriculture 81%; industry 6%; services 13%.
Government
Type: Multi-party democracy.
Branches: Executive–President, Council of Ministers.
Legislative–National Assembly, municipal assemblies.
Judicial–Supreme Court, Appeal Court, provincial, district, and municipal courts.
Political parties: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo); Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo); Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM); numerous small parties. Capital:
Living Conditions:
Living is hard, especially for the rural community. Small family enterprises are common. Agriculture is a major source of income for the nation and there is growing tourism providing an outlet for handcrafts. The southern part of the country is far richer than the north.
History: The home of Bantu people who moved in around the fourth century AD, Mozambique was colonized first by Arabs and later by Portuguese. The country was then mainly controlled by private trading companies, many of them British who did little for the African people and after WW2 the population sought independence. Ten years of armed struggle finished with Mozambique becoming independent in 1975 and following a one party, Soviet policy. They supported ANC in South Africa and ZANU in Zimbabwe. Civil war, sabotage, the departure of most Portuguese, a million violence-related deaths and poor administration resulted the country being designated a least developed nation. It is now recovering but corruption at all levels continues.
Pray for:
- Men of peace who will gain the vision for church planting throughout the nation
- God-given strategies to reach both the north and the south of the country
- critical foundational issues such as institutionalized idolatry,
- growing false religions,
- communism
- General lack of fear of God.
From a disciple of Jesus Christ in Mozambique, Madukauwa David:
“We ask you to adopt Mozambique for a week or month, and commit to fast and pray daily within this period. We encourage churches to add Mozambique to their other fasting programs; provided they really do pray for the nation.”
- Urgently plead with God to enable His church in Mozambique to meet the four conditions specified in 2 Chronicles 7:14: humble ourselves, pray, seek his face and turn from our wicked ways.
- Pray that God will give Christians in Mozambique such great hunger for Him that they will stop at nothing in their quest to know Him.
- Pray for such an activity of the Holy Spirit in Mozambique that will result in ALL ROUND GROWTH of the Mozambican church, and in many millions from every part of the country being swept into the Kingdom of God.
- Pray for a God sent revival in Mozambique.
- Pray. Condition is critical, delay is dangerous, persistent intercession an urgent need…making disciples-a top priority…in Mozambique…. “Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and theam wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.” Isa 32:15.