Pray for Eswatini

The Kingdom of Eswatini is one of Africa’s smallest nations and one of the world’s last absolute monarchies. Despite Western influences, Eswatini has preserved its cultural identity. The Swazi commonly hold cultural ceremonies and wear colorful traditional clothing — a two-piece outfit with bold prints — to celebrate their cultural heritage. The land is rich in natural beauty, from mountains and rivers to forests and wildlife reserves. It has wide open land for agriculture, and many households rely on farming.

Eswatini has a diverse set of challenges. The king lives lavishly, while more than half of the population lives in poverty. Around a quarter of the workforce is unemployed, and many migrate to South Africa in search of work. About 30 percent of the population faces food insecurity, and a quarter of children under the age of five are chronically malnourished. Dependence on farming leaves families vulnerable to drought, overgrazing, and soil depletion. The nation is gripped by sexual immorality, leaving many women and girls vulnerable to abuse and prostitution. The HIV infection rate is one of the highest in the world, affecting people aged 15 to 49, and the epidemic has left many children orphaned.

The Gospel has reached much of Eswatini, and the majority of the population identifies as Christian. Eswatini has one of the highest percentages of evangelicals in the world. However, Christian faith is often cultural rather than personal and frequently mixed with ancestor worship. Some churches are led by pastors who lack theological training, limiting biblical understanding throughout the nation. The largest Christian group within the nation is African Zionist, which blends Christianity and ancestral spiritual practices. A strong evangelical community is working to reach Eswatini with the true Gospel. Evangelicals are also operating Bible training schools and theological training across the nation. The Church is working to meet the physical needs of the orphans, the malnourished, and those suffering from HIV/AIDS. The suffering of this nation presents an opportunity for the Church to tangibly demonstrate the love of Christ by caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of its people.