Prayers for Slovakia

Reasons why I chose Slovakia? During the Olympic Season 2012, I watched hours and hours of sports. And out all the sports I had watched, what intrigued me the most was curling. (Figure skating and snowboarding are pretty cool too!) And Team USA vs. Slovakia happened to be showing.

A bit of background for Slovakia: Religion- The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government respects this in practice.

"Challenges for Prayer:
1. Slovakia has a strong Christian heritage-but the Catholic and mainline Protestant churches (Lutheran and Reformed) are more traditional and the majority of congregation are declining in numbers and attendance. The Lutheran Church holds an annual youth conference which draws a considerable number of young people. Prayer against spirit of passivity and even cynicism and pray for a revelation of God's glory so that many become enthused for the Kingdom in these denominations.
2.Less reached peoples:
a.) Hungarians make up more than 10% of the population. There has been tensions between Slovaks and Hungarians over the issue of minority rights and language use. Pray for fair and just solutions. Pray that Hungarian Christians may be mobilized to reach their kin in Slovakia.
b.) The Roma (Gypsies) have a different culture and worldview. They are often disliked and mistrusted. Attempts have been made to help them but they are suspicious and resistant to change. Pray for understanding as to how to help them most effectively and for love that will overcome the barriers and stereotypes that hinder spiritual ministry. There are some ministries committed to reach them. " (Johnstone and Mandryk 569-570)

Pictures of Slovakia