Pray for Philippines

Spanish history, American politics, and Asian traditions collide in the Philippines.  Four hundred years of Spanish and 50 years of American rule especially shaped its unique culture — the architecture, democratic government, and Christian majority. Mostly made up of Catholics, the Philippines is the largest Christian nation in Asia, and it has the third-largest English-speaking population in the world, though there are more than 170 languages spoken across the 7,000 islands.

Following World War II, the Philippines was among the most prosperous countries in Asia. Then, decades of oppressive and unwise leadership devastated the nation. It also suffered from long battles between the government, the Moro National Liberation Front, and the communist New People’s Army. The Philippines soon became one of the poorest countries in Asia. Though it still struggles with corruption, the young democracy is finally beginning to turn things around. The economy has tripled in size since the 2000s, and poverty rates continue to decline. Conflict with extremist groups continues, but most Filipinos live in relative peace.

The Spanish brought Roman Catholicism to the Philippines in the early sixteenth century. Centuries later, Catholicism is now widespread and the church and its leaders continue to exercise a powerful influence on politics and daily life. Including those who identify as Catholic, 90 percent of the population claim to be Christian. But a Christian identity is not the same thing as true faith, and the Philippine Church is especially filled with congregations that mix biblical doctrine with all kinds of false teaching. Mature leadership is also a major need, as training systems struggle to keep up with the needs of a large Church. The country’s Muslim minority is primarily concentrated in the southern islands. This region now operates under its own self-governing entity. Meanwhile, evangelical churches from various denominations are actively working together to advance the Gospel. The Philippines is one of the largest missionary-sending nations in the world.