Pray for Brazil

Brazil is a country in South America.

It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the east, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname
and French Guiana in the north, Colombia in the northwest, Bolivia and Peru,
in the west, Argentina and Paraguay in the southwest and Uruguay in the south.

The population is over 192 million.
Brasilia is the capital.
Sao Paulo is the largest city.
Rio de Janeiro is the 2nd largest city.

FACTS
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the 5th largest in the world.

Sao Paulo is the 7th largest city in the world.

Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas.

Over 50% of Brazilians are under 18.

Brazil covers 50% of South America.

Most of the Amazon Rainforest is within Brazil.

The Amazon River flows through Brazil.

DEMOGRAPHICS
47.73%     White
43.13%     Brown/Multiracial
7.6%       Black
1.1%       Asian
0.4%       Amerindian (250,000)

74%        Catholic (130 million)
5.4%       Protestant (28 million)
7.4%       Without religion (12 million)
1.3%       Spiritism (About 2.2 million)
0.3%       Traditional African religions
0.26%      Buddhist (215,000)
0.06%      Judaism (86,000)
0.29%      Muslim (27,000)
Jehovah's Witnesses (1,100,000)
Latter-day Saints (200,000)

HISTORY
Brazil was originally inhabited by over 2,000 indigenous tribes from the Tupi–Guarani family.

Brazil was claimed by Portugal in 1500 and became a Protuguese colony.

The Portuguese assimilated some of the native tribes.
Others were enslaved or exterminated by wars or European diseases.

By the mid-16th century, sugar had become Brazil's most important export.
The Portuguese imported African slaves to cope with the increasing demand.

In 1808 the capital of the Portuguese empire was transferred from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro.

In 1815, the colony was elevated to the rank of kingdom.

Brazil became independent in 1822 and formed the Empire of Brazil, a constitutional monarchy.

The country became a presidential republic in 1889 after a military coup.

In 1964 an authoritarian military junta came to power and ruled until 1985.

In 1985 a civilian governance resumed.

CONDITIONS
Brazil has the largest economy in Latin America.
Services, industry and agriculture are the main components.
The economy is inward oriented and characterized by free markets.

Brazil had massive money problems in the '80s, leaving many in poverty
and the country in debt.

Things improved in the '90s but many problems remain such as corruption,
lack of hospitals and schools and the on-going destruction of the rainforest.

There is much injustice against the poor, underprivileged children and indigenous tribes.

Native Amerindians have been exploited, murdered and oppressed throughout
their history, sometimes even by the Church.

40 million people live below the poverty line.
Blacks form the majority of Brazil's poor.

20 million people live in filthy and overcrowded slums.
10 million of them are children.

500,000 people are involved in prostitution.
Even more are involved in the sex industry.

540,000 people are infected with the HIV virus.
Education and health care sectors are in serious need of improvement.

The poor, especially street children and indigenous peoples, often suffer
terrible discrimination and exploitation.

Debt slavery affects up to 250,000 people, especially in the Amazon.

Crime is a serious problem.
Brazil is a huge consumer of illicit drugs, although the government has cracked down on it.

Brazil has the world's highest rate of firearm homicides.
Nearly 150 people a day were murdered in Brazil in the years between 2000 and 2010.

The police response has been brutally heavy-handed and rife with corruption.

The nation's prisons are notoriously overcrowded and violent.

Brazil suffers from exploitation and destruction of its biodiversity (the Rainforest).
This destruction leads to the loss of natural resources, social marginalization,
and the lost of homes for indigenous people.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
There are more Catholics in Brazil than anywhere else in the world.

Nominalism is prevalent.
Many church members don't have a real relationship with Jesus.

'Non-religion' is fast-growing.

Many Brazilians practice a mix of Catholicism and spiritism.  
Many claim to be Christian, but visit spiritist doctors or mediums.

Many follow Afro-Brazilian cults (such as Candomblé, Macumba, Umbanda)
derived from African animism and witchcraft.

"High Spiritism" (Kardecism) is popular among many whites.

Many of the Ameridian tribes are still unreached.

There is a real spiritual hunger in Brazil and many are becoming Christians.

The number of missionaries being sent out by Brazil is growing rapidly.
Nearly 5,000 Brazilian missionaries are working in Europe, USA and South America.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that future governments would not shirk from the process of excising corruption.

Pray for those suffering from poverty.

Pray that crime and drug traficking stop.

Pray for those trapped in prostitution and the sex trade.

Pray for those with HIV.

Pray for justice for the poor and Amerindian tribes.

Pray that the Gospel spread among Amerindians that have not yet heard.

Pray that Christians can reach Amerindians in a way that is sensitive,
without robbing them of their cultural identity.

Pray for the young people who feel that no one cares for them.

Pray that the church can communicate God's truth to young people and effectively
disciple them.

Pray for the growing movement to plant new churches that are relevant to youth.

Pray that the mission movement in Brazil continues to grow.

Pray that those sent out from Brazil are well supported, protected
and encouraged at home and overseas

Pray for all spiritual falsehoods to be exposed and for Christ alone to be exalted.

Pray for those in spiritual bondage to be delivered through Jesus.

Pray that Brazil will be protected from environmental exploitation by foreigners
and abusive companies.