Bahrain, a small archipelago nation between the Qatar peninsula and Saudi Arabia, is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Sunni royal family. Its economy is based mostly on petroleum production and refining, but in recent years Bahrain has become an international banking center in the Persian Gulf. More than 55 percent of the labor force is made up of expatriates.
Category: Restricted Nation
Religion: Muslim 83.2%, Christian 9.8%, Hindu 6.0%
Ideology: Islam
Head of State: President King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
Although it is one of the most open countries in the Persian Gulf region, freedoms for local Christians are restricted. Christians who witness openly suffer persecution, mostly from friends and family, and most choose to worship secretly. There are a number of churches in Bahrain, but they are mainly used by foreigners. Dozens of congregations of foreigners meet in a single building. There are two small Christian bookstores in the country.
Daily Prayer Requests:
January 22: Christians websites are currently blocked. Pray for ministry and teaching opportunities.
January 23: Pray for the protection and success of the two Christian bookstores in Bahrain.
January 24: Most Bahraini Christians worship secretly to avoid persecution. Pray for their encouragement.
January 25: Expatriates make up more than half the labor force. Pray for their strong Christian witness.
January 26: Bahrain is spiritually strategic because of it's relative freedoms. Pray for Christian leaders.
January 27: Pray for King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
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