Pray for French Guiana

The Amazon Rainforest covers more than 95 percent of French Guiana’s landscape, providing habitats for thousands of plant and animal species like jaguars, toucans, and wild orchids. This natural beauty was once enjoyed by numerous indigenous peoples such as the Arawak Indians and Kali’na. They hunted abundant wildlife in the jungles and fished along the coastline. In the 17th century, Dutch, French, Portuguese, and English settlers struggled to adapt due to tropical diseases and the warm climate. Several French plantations operated along the coastline, manned by African slaves, until France abolished slavery in the 19th century. Today, the nation is still an overseas department and region of France, and the only South American territory to be part of the European Union. French subsidies provide the nation with a higher standard of living than many other South American nations.

High living costs and unemployment rates, as well as frustrations with poor healthcare and education systems, contribute to protests and demonstrations against the French government. More than 90 percent of the population live along the coastline to avoid the rugged jungle terrain that prevents road construction. Limited transportation, except for coastal roads and aircraft travel, makes it difficult for remote communities to reach hospitals and schools. The nation borders Suriname and Brazil, which share in its Amazon Rainforest, rivers, gold deposits, and fisheries. While the countries cooperate to protect forests and wildlife, tensions arise over cross-border illegal gold mining and border security. Immigrants from Suriname and Brazil often move to French Guiana, putting pressure on the nation’s resources.

More than 90 percent of the population identify with Christianity; however, the majority of the region is increasingly secular, mirroring France’s culture. French television and media has opened the door to access to pornography and secular media. Marriage is becoming less central in society and there are high rates of children born out of wedlock. Indigenous communities have been reached by the Gospel, yet some struggle to abandon spiritual healing practices and seek guidance from ancestors. Even in the midst of these challenges, Evangelical and Protestant churches are growing. Pray for church growth to foster godly lifestyles across the nation, ending secular influences.