Pray for Zambia

Zambia is home to vast savannah plateaus, the waters of Victoria Falls, and national parks abundant in wildlife, all of which draw many tourists. Beyond these scenic landscapes, Zambia has developed vibrant urban cities. It is also one of Africa’s most politically stable countries, generally maintaining unity, peace, and ethnic harmony. The economy depends on copper mining and agriculture, with nearly 60 percent of the labor force employed in farming. While the 1991 constitution significantly improved civil liberties and political rights, freedoms of expression, media, and assembly remain limited, and government corruption is a major concern.

Around 60 percent of Zambia’s population lives in poverty. 48 percent live in extreme poverty. Food is relatively unaffordable, and food insecurity is widespread, contributing to malnutrition, poverty, and poor healthcare, which cause significantly low life expectancy overall. There is a high number of malaria-related deaths, although prevention and treatment have improved. HIV/AIDS treatment has also dramatically improved in the last two decades, yet the disease has left hundreds of thousands of children orphaned, tens of thousands of whom live on the streets. The education system expanded in 2022 to provide free education through 12th grade. Because of the rapid expansion, the developing school system struggles with resources, and nearly all early-grade children fall below their grade’s reading level. About one-third of women aged 20–24 were married before age 18, and one-third of girls aged 15–19 have been pregnant. 14 percent of young women and 10 percent of young men have reported experiencing sexual violence as children.

Zambia is formally recognized as Christian, and the religion is incorporated into the constitution, allowing unrestricted evangelism and freedom of religion. About 95 percent of the nation claims to be Christian, but for many, this is a cultural identity, and they do not know the Word of God or what it means to live a Christian life. Still, evangelical Christianity has experienced exciting growth and comprises roughly 25 percent of the population. Pray that God would grow a spiritual fervency among Zambian believers, sending them out with the Gospel to the poor, sick, and spiritually needy.