Ramadan Day 23 - The Darfur Conflict

30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

The Darfur conflict

Population: about 6,000,000

Darfur, in the desert region of western Sudan, has been the scene of much horrible torture, death, and destruction in the past few years. For centuries the settled farmers and nomadic herder tribes in the area coexisted peacefully, both speaking Arabic as a trade language and with extensive ethnic intermarriage among the tribes. Recently, however, conflict has risen over access to water and grazing land between the more settled “African” farmers and some of the “Arab” herder tribes.

The present crisis began in April 2003. The war seems to be part of an effort to more thoroughly Islamicise the region and crush any hopes of Darfurian autonomy. In 2005 the United Nations estimated that 180,000 had died and over 1.8 million people had been displaced. The UN estimated that up to 3.5 million people faced famine in Darfur in the autumn of 2005.

Few Darfurians have heard the gospel. Their only knowledge of Jesus is that he was a prophet like Mohammed. The practice of animism and witchcraft is common among the Darfurians. The region is one of the least evangelized areas on earth, with fewer than 50 known believers among all Darfur’s tribes (2005 figure), these few, along with our efforts, being the hope for the future of Darfur.

Let’s Pray:

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* Pray for peace in Darfur at all levels: international efforts, Sudanese efforts, and inter-tribal efforts.

* Ignorance and poverty are major problems for the Darfur, leading to tribal conflicts, banditry, and violence. Pray for laborers who can bring reconciliation, solutions to enduring problems, and salvation.

* Pray that the Spirit of God will inspire and motivate the people of Darfur and prepare them to receive the Word with humility.

* Pray that the works of the kingdom of darkness involving Islam, animism, and sorcery will be exposed, bringing freedom.

* Ministry is needed for the widows and orphans left destitute from the conflict. Pray for people and teams to work with them.


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ISBN 2-9514163-8-5. Encourage others to pray with us - pass this on.
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View video and map of Darfur. Click "Hot Links" (Day 23) to view (on the youth site).
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