Praying for Estonia (Europe)
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" Isaiah 61:1 (KJV)
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37–38 (KJV).
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8 (KJV)
"Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people." Psalm 96:3 (KJV)
KEY STATISTICS
Continent: Europe
Capital: Tallinn
Population: 1,344,232
Population Under 15 Yrs: 16 %
Literacy Rate: 99 %
Life Expectancy: 77.1 yrs
% Christian: 45.3 %
% Evangelical: 4.9 %
Largest Religion: Non-religious
% Largest Religion: 54 %
People Groups: 18
Least Reached People Groups: 3
% Unevangelized: 4 %
Estonia found political and economic success after the time of Soviet domination (1940-1988). Poverty remains a problem, and greed for material possessions grows as the economy grows.
1. Praying for the Nation’s fear of God and righteous leadership: Estonia faces a crisis of values as the people become more and more secular in their attitudes.
a. Pray for a wise and upright government to model righteousness and biblical values. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (KJV):
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33:12 (KJV)
2. Praying for religious freedom which is an open door to Christian ministry but also to theological error: Many marginal Christian sects are increasing in number and influence - Mormons have more missionaries in Estonia than any Christian agency has there. While actual practitioners are few, a recent poll showed 11% of Estonians expressed warmest feelings toward pre-Christian pagan religions.
a. Pray for the truth and light of Christ to be established in this new marketplace of religious options.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 (KJV)
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1 (KJV)
3. Praying for genuine faith which is rare in Estonia despite a Protestant heritage: Many have limited Christian belief, but very few follow Jesus in any meaningful way. Most of the population need to be re-evangelized. Young people have little to equip them against the predations of post-Christian values, since the traditional Christian confessions are weak and in decline.
a. Pray for a new vision for evangelism and revival to reawaken the nominal majority. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (KJV):
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV):
4. Praying for unity in the Church is a potentially powerful witness to a cynical population: The Estonian Evangelical Alliance seeks to foster unity in diversity among many denominations through fellowship and prayer events.
a. Pray that all of Christ's faithful would demonstrate Christ's love for one another. “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21 (KJV):
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 (KJV)
5. Praying for ministry to minorities: Specific outreach is needed for the large Russian population, with whom reconciliation is still a point for prayer.
a. Pray also for the gospel to be shared with the Tatar Muslims, the Jews and the growing minority groups in Estonia. “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 (KJV):
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me... unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (KJV)