Praying for Philippines is an archipelagic country in

Praying for Philippines is an archipelagic country in South Asia; could you name: • the origin of the name • how many islands • the capital city • one symbol on the flag • one major Sea

Praying for Philippines If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. - John 14: 14

Geography Land area: 300, 000 sq km 80 provinces; 7, 250 islands, of which over 700 are inhabited, 11 of which contain the vast bulk of the population. The largest are Luzon (116, 000 sq km) in the north and Mindanao (102, 000 sq km) in the south. Over 75% mountains; prone to devastating typhoons. Population: 104, 256, 076 Capital: Manila Official language: Filipino, English Languages: 181

The world's second largest chain of islands boasts a tropical climate with coral-fringed coasts and volcanic mountains. It is the only Christian nation in Asia and has the third largest English-speaking population in the world. The influence of four hundred years of Spanish and more recently American rule in the Philippines can be seen in its architecture, governmental structure, and religion. On the less traveled east side of the South China Sea, the Philippines is a beautiful country with much to offer.

THE ECONOMY Once the second richest country in Asia behind Japan, political instability and poor economic decisions by Filipino leaders over the years have transformed the nation into one of Asia's poorest. Roughly one third of the population lives in poverty. The gap between the wealthiest two percent and the nation's poor is a wide one. 4 to 5 million Filipinos, nearly 5% of the population, work overseas and send home billions of dollars.

Religion Largest Religion: Christian Religion Christians Evangelicals Muslims Pop % Ann Gr 94, 361, 547 92. 25 1. 7 13, 558, 344 12. 3 3. 1 6, 236, 986 5. 65

Most Filipinos are Centuries after Roman Catholic and the Spanish brought Roman church and its leaders Catholicism to the exercise a powerful influence on politics Philippines, and daily life. Christianity is widespread, with The Evangelical Christian over 90 percent of church is growing and the population denominations are having Christian working together to beliefs. advance the gospel.

CHALLENGES TO PRAYER The smaller, but strong, five percent Muslims are generally in the southern islands, where they seek to consolidate four Philippine provinces as a separate Islamic state. Children. More than half of the population are under age 20. However, 24% of school-aged children are unable to attend school; most either work or have no local school. Sex trade workers. Up to 100, 000 children and 400, 000 women are involved, many of them trafficked to other countries. The sex industry is apparently the fourth largest source of income.

Prayer points • Pray for more Filipino churches to raise up and send out missionaries committed to worldwide evangelism. • Pray for honesty, justice, and fairness to replace corruption and greed in the government. • Pray for the church to stand firm on biblical truth and to be unified with one another. • Pray for the Bible to make a deep and lasting impact on lives. • Pray for Media-oriented ministries as they reach out to 1000 s of people.