Pray for Wales

More than 600 castles skirt the Welsh landscape. Arts festivals and venues draw eclectic crowds, and rugby matches foster national camaraderie. A nation in the United Kingdom, Wales shares much of its history with its English and Scottish neighbors. But Wales stands apart from those surrounding it. It is home to a distinct Welsh language, spoken by about 20 percent of the population, and a rich, Celtic-influenced culture. The country is also famously known as the “Land of Song,” with a deep love for music and poetic storytelling that dates back to ancient Celtic bards. For hundreds of years, Wales struggled against English conquest. With the Act of Union in 1536, Wales and England united in politics and law, and Wales has limited governing power apart from the UK parliament. Its economy is intertwined with that of the greater union.

High living costs and low wages are a major social concern for Wales. Increased pressure on household budgets has left over twenty percent of the population living in poverty. General economic productivity has slowed due to Wales’ aging population. The aging population has also resulted in increased pressures on the healthcare system. A high number of older patients requiring care has placed strain on the limited number of workers. This has caused long waiting lines and delayed treatments or diagnoses for people in need. Hundreds of thousands of people are left waiting to receive care.

Many churches in Wales are closing their doors in response to low attendance. Once known as the land of revival, Wales has experienced a dramatic spiritual decline. Only about four percent of the population attends a weekly religious service, and secularism is on the rise. The Welsh people are in dire need of revival and an identity in Christ alone. Pray that the Holy Spirit would descend upon Wales, weed out spiritual apathy and replace it with the transformational truth of the Gospel.