Ireland: The Emerald Isle
Map it Monday:
Today, we place a map of Ireland on our refrigerator as we pray for the people of this beautiful and historic country.
Our Prayer:
"Oh Father of all Grace, we ask that You make the wondrous gospel of grace known to all of the Irish people. May they know that You sent Your only Son to die on a cross so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Amen."
Stats and Facts Tuesday:
Geography
Area: 70,285 sq km
Comprises 80% of the island of Ireland. Northern Ireland is a constituent part of the United Kingdom.
Population: 4,589,002 Annual Growth: 1.85%
Capital: Dublin
Urbanites: 62%
Official language: Irish, English. Irish spoken as a first language by less than 4% of the population; 40% of the Irish population can speak Irish
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian
| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 4,209,033 | 91.72 | 1.4 |
| Evangelicals | 71,080 | 1.5 | 3.3 |
Challenges for Prayer
The Catholic Church was, for centuries, the preserver and defender of the Irish. Catalyzed by secularism, the rapid onset of modernity and a series of high-profile scandals and cover-ups in the priesthood, the nation is rapidly losing the deep Catholic sensibilities that once tied it together. Once an exporter of trained priests, the Catholic Church today ordains few. Weekly church attendance, once 85% nationally, is now less than 50%, and as low as 5% in parts of Dublin – and there are more non-religious Irish than ever before. Despite this, there is a vibrant charismatic renewal movement within the Catholic Church and unprecedented collaboration with other expressions of the Christian faith. Pray for the Irish nation to rediscover its ancient heritage of deep and profound faith in Christ.
The sex abuse scandals that rocked the Catholic Church devastated the nation’s confidence in what was once a deeply trusted institution. Possibly the only things more damaging than this tragic and sinful abuse are the cover-ups and collusion that occurred after these incidents came to the knowledge of Church leaders. Ireland’s Catholic faith was already on a downward trajectory; these scandals may have thrust it into a death spiral. Pray that true repentance, forgiveness and, where possible, restoration might occur on the part of those involved, and that this may lead to purification and redemption of Catholicism in Ireland. (taken from Operation World)
Our Prayer
"Lord, you invaded Ireland with the gospel many many years ago. We are asking that you revive the church and raise up many more to take the life giving truth of the gospel to the people of the Emerald Isle once again. Show us how to pray for a people that is so rich in beauty and in promise. May they experience a deep gospel saturated heritage once more. Amen."
Walk in My Shoes Wednesday:
Today we will be praying for World Harvest Mission's work in Ireland. This missions organization has been working with the people of Ireland for over 30 years. And because Ireland has the smallest percentage of evangelical Christians of any English speaking country in the world, this is a very significant work. Read more about their mission to Ireland here:
First Presbyterian church plant begun in the Republic of Ireland in the last 100 years:
Our Prayer:
"Raise up workers for the harvest fields of Ireland! Give Your people a desire to go and share the good news of Jesus' work on the cross to the unchurched people of Ireland, oh Lord. God give the Irish church Your courage to proclaim the gospel and give the people of Ireland a hunger and a thirst for righteousness. Give the men and women that work with World Harvest Mission in Ireland longsuffering and patience as they sow the gospel seed in the Irish soil. Amen."
Take Action Thursday:
Today we will sing an old but familiar Irish hymn, "Be Thou My Vision" together. As we sing, we will be praying the words of the hymn for the country of Ireland.
We will also be watching a brief presentation on who St. Patrick really was.
Our Prayer:
"Lord, turn the nation of Ireland upside down again with the gospel that sets people free from sin and death. We ask that You open the eyes and ears of the Irish people to receive the good news of Jesus Christ. Give the people of Ireland a heart that follows after Christ alone. We pray that You would be their vision and that they would see You as the Ruler of all, Amen."
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