Pray for Lesotho

Known as “The Kingdom in the Sky,” Lesotho’s mountainous terrain gives the nation the highest elevation in the world. The entire nation lies above 4,500 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level. Mountains cover almost the entire country and make many of the villages difficult to reach. This small nation is completely surrounded by South Africa and heavily depends on South Africa for trade and employment. After its independence from Great Britain in 1966, the nation adopted a constitutional monarchy. The king serves a ceremonial role, while those elected by the people have the executive authority.

The economy struggles to provide for most of the people, and around half of the population falls below the poverty line. Only about 10 percent of the land is fertile, which has contributed to widespread poverty and food insecurity. Unemployment remains a significant challenge, tearing families apart as fathers move to South Africa for work and desperate children are driven into the labor force. The healthcare system also struggles to provide for people’s needs, and the life expectancy is one of the lowest in the world, with the HIV rate being at a near-world record of 24 percent. Crime, homicide, and gender-based violence are also significant struggles in Lesotho. Around 86 percent of women have reported experiencing some form of gender-based abuse, often within relationships, and Lesotho has one of the worst female suicide rates in the world. Legally, women have rights, but traditional customs often limit their ability to own property, receive an inheritance, choose a spouse, and find employment.

About 90 percent of the population identifies as Christian, and the majority are Catholic. Yet spiritual revival is needed within the Church, as many Christians are not sincerely following Christ. An evangelical movement called “Bapolosoa” (meaning “the saved” or “born-again believers”) emerged to ignite wholehearted devotion to Christ, but many Christian communities have not embraced this teaching, and the Christians who are part of the movement often experience social pressure. Others mix Christianity with different religious practices, including traditional African ancestor worship. Churches need trained leaders equipped to teach Bible-based theology to help believers discern truth from beliefs that are not rooted in Scripture.