Pray for Panama

Situated between Costa Rica and Colombia, Panama serves as the land bridge between North and South America. Flanked by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the narrow land has long been marked by trade routes to move goods from one ocean to the other. During the Spanish colonial period (roughly the early 1500s to 1821), Panama was an important transit route for transporting silver and gold from South America to Spain. One key overland route, known as the Camino Real (Panama colonial route), linked ports and settlements across the isthmus and was used to move goods between the Atlantic and Pacific. Panama has endured nearly three centuries of Spanish rule, followed by dictators. In more recent years, Panama has enjoyed democratic rule, as well as general stability despite occasional political issues.

Panama exists as a bridge both geographically and ethnically. With Mestizos, Caribbeans, Europeans, Amerindians, and other immigrants from around the world, Panama represents a diverse cross-section of the world’s population while maintaining a strong, nationalistic identity. Panama has had strong economic growth historically; however, financial crimes like money laundering are common. About one in three children are living in poverty. Spanning 50 long miles, the Panama Canal enables seagoing vessels to cross between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans without taking the long and more dangerous route around the tip of South America. As a testament to the canal’s influence on global shipping, seagoing vessels have long been built to its  dimensions, specifications known as Panamax. However, Panama’s role as a transit hub creates exposure to drug trafficking.

Of Panama’s roughly 4.5 million inhabitants, over 80 percent of the population claim Christianity. However, some of Panama’s indigenous or less popular languages lack complete Bible translations, which hinders the nationwide spread of biblical teaching. The majority of the population are Catholic, with a small evangelical presence, but cultural Christianity prevents Church growth. A small portion of the population practices Islam. The government is in need of godly leadership that practices justice and honesty, and expels corruption, domestic violence, and drug abuse from the nation.