Pray for Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands are a maze of ring-shaped coral reefs and tiny islets in the central Pacific Ocean. Though these fragile patches of land are small, they are scattered across an ocean territory larger than the state of Alaska. The islands were settled by nearby Micronesians, making the majority of the Marshallese population Micronesian. Exploration and occupation efforts were made by the Spanish, Germans, and Japanese — as well as the British on a smaller scale. In 1947, the islands were placed under a UN Trust Territory administered by the United States. Since then, the islands have become their own sovereign democracy, though they maintain a political and military relationship with the United States.

Though the Marshall Islands are self-governing and protected militarily by the United States, the relationship is plagued with a bitter history. Between 1946 and 1958, the U.S. conducted 67 nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands. Impacts from these tests and the nuclear radiation left behind have had devastating effects. Those in exposed populations still suffer high rates of cancer risk due to the tests. Climate change impacts are also of serious concern in the Marshall Islands. Due to the low-lying nature of the islands, which do not rise very high above sea level, the islands are extremely susceptible to flooding.

The islands have no official religion, but the majority of the population is Protestant. In the late 19th century, missionaries played a major role in the spread of Christianity in the Marshall Islands, contributing to a gradual shift away from traditional indigenous religious beliefs. Catholicism is practiced by a significant, yet minority population. A large portion of the population are members of the United Church of Christ. Strengthened and passionate believers are needed to provide uncompromised Gospel truth.