Pray for Monaco

One in every three residents in Monaco is a millionaire. The world’s wealthiest people are willing to pay billions to make Monaco’s pale blue shoreline with beautiful weather their home. Less than one square mile in size, the principality of Monaco has been governed by a constitutional monarchy, the royal Grimaldi family, since 1297. Foreign businesses are attracted to Monaco by its lenient and advantageous tax laws, and expatriates from around the world make up the majority of the population. There is almost no poverty in the country, and with no income tax for its residents, Monaco draws in more millionaires per capita than any other nation. Since the opening of the famous Monte Carlo Casino, gambling and tourism have become the leading industries in the nation’s economy.

Because it is one of the world’s most expensive places to live, most middle-class workers cannot afford to live in the country. Though they enjoy well-paying jobs and have access to Monégasque healthcare, 80 percent of Monaco’s workforce commute from France and Italy to work. Land is scarce in this city-state, and to keep drawing in the world’s wealthiest people, Monaco is reclaiming land from the Mediterranean so that new homes can be built on new land. Recently, international organizations criticized Monaco for not taking action against money laundering and businessmen involved in criminal activity. In response, Monaco began imposing tougher penalties while strengthening oversight of suspicious financial activity.

Monaco is one of only a few countries in Europe that still declares Roman Catholicism as the state religion. Eighty-two percent of Monacans profess Christianity. However, many are distracted by wealth and material abundance and do not truly know Jesus. Along with the small evangelical church — making up one percent of the population — Monaco has a small group of believers who want their wealthy neighbors to realize the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. While these Monacans enjoy the freedom to worship as they please, evangelism is strongly discouraged by society. These believers need wisdom and discernment as they try to help others understand the emptiness of worldly treasures. Pray that God would open many hearts to the true meaning of the Gospel.