Pray for Switzerland

The breathtaking Alps, stunning lakes, medieval cities, and farming communities combine to give Switzerland its world-renowned beauty that draws many admirers. Life ranges from quiet, traditional farming villages tucked in the high alpine valleys to bustling, cosmopolitan hubs like Zurich and Geneva. Immigrants make up a quarter of the population, which has helped offset population decline caused by the nation’s low fertility rate. Founded in 1291, Switzerland is one of the world’s oldest existing republics. It has a unique commitment to neutrality, even throughout two world wars that raged around it. Centuries of peace have contributed to the nation’s prosperity. It is one of the wealthiest in the world, with one of the highest incomes per person.

But amid this prosperity, many are falling into despair as the culture becomes increasingly secular. Swiss workers earn among the highest median wages globally. This extreme financial security turns material wealth and self-sufficiency into primary values, eroding community and traditional family structures. Cohabitation is standard, and roughly four out of ten marriages end in divorce. Suicide is a leading cause of death among young Swiss men, and youth mental health issues have risen sharply over the past decade. More than 10 percent of Swiss people report pornography addiction — especially an issue among youth.

Three-quarters of Switzerland identify as Christian, divided between Catholics and Protestants, and immigration has diversified the nation’s religious makeup. Switzerland’s Christian heritage is represented by great reformers such as Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin. However, wealth and spiritual indifference have greatly hindered the Church, leaving few with a biblical understanding of Christianity. Both Catholic and Reformed churches face decline, but active movements for renewal exist, and a fresh commitment to evangelism is growing. Youth ministries and evangelical churches are working hard to adapt to reach those disinterested in traditional models of the institutional Church.