Pray for South Sudan

South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war driven by religious and political divisions. Located in East Africa’s White Nile Valley, the nation contains some of the richest agricultural land in the region, providing a steady income for most of the population. The South Sudanese people are well known for their impressive height, bold personalities, strong patriotism, and deep work ethic. Within their communities, marriage is celebrated for the strong, lasting bonds it creates between different families. The country is also rich with large oil reserves. In fact, this oil accounts for 90 to 95 percent of the country’s known revenue.

Although independence brought hope, deep-rooted ethnic tensions fueled a power struggle between national leaders, sparking another civil war in 2013. Despite several peace agreements, intercommunal conflict and violence continue to displace millions of people. Making the crisis even worse, the violent war that broke out in neighboring Sudan has forced over one million people back to South Sudan’s already strained and starving communities. Years of this conflict, along with flooding and economic hardship, have left millions of people without enough food to eat. Floodwaters have destroyed farmland and forced many families to leave their homes, worsening the country’s humanitarian crisis.

While some South Sudanese practice traditional African religions, the majority of the population is Christian. Western missionaries introduced the Gospel to Sudan in the 1800s, and many nationals converted to Christianity. Amid political unrest, there has been widespread church growth, with indigenous people leading churches. The Church has reached out as a haven for those displaced by the country’s conflict. The Christians of South Sudan have risen in a time of crisis to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting nation, mobilizing relief efforts to help those in need.