Pray for Greenland

The world’s largest island, Greenland, is known as “the land of the midnight sun” for its continuous summer daylight, where the sun remains above the horizon for days at a time. Much of Greenland has an Arctic or polar climate, claiming the polar bear as a national symbol. The frosty island is sparsely populated, with a majority Inuit and minority Danish community. Inuit culture is marked by seal hunting, art made of bones and animal hides, and close-knit community. Danish communities trace their origins to the arrival of the Norwegian-Danish missionary Hans Egede in 1721. Today, the island remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which controls the nation’s foreign affairs and security. But as a self-governing nation, Greenland has its own set of laws and legislature. Its economy relies on the export of shrimp and fish, mining, and subsidies from the Danish government. Dog sledding, glaciers, and the northern lights make tourism a growing sector as well.

Pervasive alcoholism and alarming rates of sexual violence cut deep across Greenlandic society. Alcohol abuse and binge drinking have contributed to sexual abuse and domestic violence, and an overwhelming number of people report having been sexually abused before the age of 15. For several decades, Greenland had one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and today, a significant portion of the population suffers from mental illness. Climate change is also a growing stressor for citizens as glaciers continue to melt, threatening hunting, fishing, and Arctic cultural identity. Rising temperatures are thawing the nation’s permafrost ground, shifting foundations for homes and cracking roads.

Christianity first arrived on the island in AD 1000 with the Norse explorer Leif Eriksson, and it remains the predominant religion today. There is an evangelical Lutheran Church in nearly every settlement, and about 95 percent of the population identifies as Christian. Still, many pursue possessions and focus on wealth rather than seeking a relationship with the Lord. Some Inuit communities still believe in Sedna, a powerful spirit connected to marine animals. Spiritual mediums communicate between humans and the spirit world. Yet the Church is equipping believers to rise up and restore biblical understanding. The Church is also making efforts to reach indigenous populations, crossing cultural barriers.