spotlight on: SAUDI ARABIA

By David Thompson

GEOGRAPHY

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is almost entirely desert and contains 25 percent of the world's known oil reserves. The capital city is Riyadh. Mecca, the holy city of Islam, is also located here. Saudi Arabia is committed to its role as custodian of Islam and its holiest sites. All religions other than Islam, including expatriate Christian gatherings, are prohibited.

PRAY...

• Saudi Arabia once had a large Christian population until around A.D. 700 when Islam took control. Now it is one of the least evangelized nations in the world. No Christian workers are permitted, and all Christian "propaganda" is strictly prohibited. Christians are not allowed to even step foot into Mecca. Pray that God would open doors for Christian laborers in this nation so that the gospel may be preached and hearts would turn to the Lamb that was slain, Jesus Christ.

• Saudi Arabia probably has the world's worst record on religious freedom and human rights. This has been achieved through a corrupt judicial system, arrogant religious police (called the Mutawwa) and the corroboration of the government. Pray for a total loosing of this oppressive control and for full freedom of religious expression.

• A massive Islamic missionary effort is coordinated by the Muslim World League in Mecca. Billions of dollars are spent every year to propagate Islam around the world in the forms of aid to countries considered sympathetic to Islam, building mosques, sending missionaries, printing and distributing literature, radio programs, etc. Some of the world's largest printing presses are in Saudi Arabia, turning out 28 million copies of the Quran (the Islamic holy book) annually. Pray that God will sovereignly draw millions of Muslims to His Holy Word and that Christian Web sites, radio and satellite television programs will see a huge increase in responses.

• Saudi Arabia signed the U.N. charter that guarantees freedom of religion, yet Saudis who confess Christ as Lord face the death penalty if discovered. Pray for the preservation and multiplication of believers, for their safety as they meet together, and for access to God's Word.