Haiti

PRAYER POINTS

VIDEO

• Pray for those who despair to find hope in Jesus Christ.

 

• Pray for deliverance for those in bondage to voodoo.

 

• Pray for the development of long-term plans saturated with wisdom and justice.

 

SUMMARY

Sharing the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, Haiti is home to a mostly African Caribbean population. In the Indigenous Taíno language, Hayti means "land of the mountains.” Haiti’s terrain is, indeed, very rugged with mountains and small coastal plains and valleys. A small minority of people are of mixed African and European descent, and make up the wealthy elite who control 90% of Haiti’s resources. The common languages are French, Haitian Creole, and English. After the slave revolt of 1804 against the French, Haiti formed a republic — one which has been riddled with bloody feuds and dictatorships. Law enforcement today is rife with corruption, and Haiti has received peacekeeping assistance from the United States and the United Nations.

 

Haiti is the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere. Its economy was especially devastated in the earthquake of 2010, which tragically killed roughly 200,000 people. Since then, there have been minor gains in poverty reduction. But the COVID-19 pandemic, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and another earthquake in August 2021 have continually challenged an already staggering economy. Proper aid distribution is often prevented by violence and political instability. In addition to natural disasters, Haiti’s economy suffers from overpopulation, two-thirds of which are unemployed and underemployed. Slightly over half the population is illiterate, and sex and labor trafficking are rampant. Children in situations of domestic labor often experience physical and sexual abuse. Runaways end up on the street as prostitutes, beggars, or criminals. Increased gang activity around the capital city Port-au-Prince in recent years have led to an uptick in mass kidnappings for ransom, presenting further safety challenges for missions and NGO operations. Despite these challenges, moderate efforts to eliminate trafficking have been in progress through legal reform. Haiti has also made significant strides against cholera, with no confirmed cases since 2019.

 

Haiti enjoys freedom of religion. Three-quarters of the population are professing Christians, affiliating mostly with Roman Catholicism. However, most also incorporate Vodou — a form of West African witchcraft and considered an official religion in Haiti. Increasing numbers of Haitian believers are boldly speaking out against Vodou and its demonic practices. With continued Christian missions and evangelism, the power of the Gospel is being made known. Following the 2010 earthquake, over one million citizens attended the President-sponsored call to prayer, repentance, and fasting. While illiteracy has hindered the influence of the Church, Christians have bridged the gap with radio, children’s education, and ministry training. Amid many difficult realities, God is at work across Haiti, replacing despair and brokenness with His hope and healing.