Pray for the Philippines

The Philippines is an island nation in Southeast Asia.

Its closest neighbors are Taiwan in the north, Vietnam in the west, Borneo
in the southwest and Indonesia in the south.

The Philippines are made up of 7,107 islands.
1,000 of the islands are inhabited.
The largest islands are Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south.

Manila is the capital.
The estimated population is about 94 million.

FACTS
The Philippines are the world's 2nd largest chain of islands.

The Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country.

The Philippines is the only nation in Asia where the majority of the populaton
profess the Christian faith.

The Philippines has the third largest English-speaking population in the world.

Over half the population is under 15.

In 1543, Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos named the islands
'Las Islas Filipinas' in honor of Philip II of Spain.

There are over 175 different languages spoken.
Filipino and English are the two official languages.

DEMOGRAPHICS
30.1 % Visayans
28.1 % Tagalog
10.1 % Ilocano
9.1 % Moro
6.9 % Bicolano
3.3 % Kapampangan
1.75 % Pangasinense
1.30 % indigenous and non-indigenous.

80%  Catholic
20%  Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu.

11 million Filipinos live overseas.

HISTORY
In prehistoric times, Negritos were some of the archipelago's earliest inhabitants.
They were followed by successive waves of Austronesian groups.

From 1000-16th c A.D. there was extensive trade and commerce with Asia.
This commerce brought influences from Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.

During this time there was no unifying state over the entire Philippine Archipelago.
Instead, the islands were divided among competing kingdoms and city states

Some kingdoms were:
Maynila
Namayan
Tondo
The Confederation of Madyaas
The State of Ma-I
The Rajahnate of Butuan  
The Sultanate of Sulu.

In 1565 the Philippines came under Spanish rule (1565-1896)

In 1896 the country went through the series of wars
The Philippine Revolution,
The Spanish American War
The Philippine–American War.

During the war 4,234 American soldiers died, and 16,000 Filipino soldiers died
At least one million Filipino civilians died as a direct result of the war.
200,000 Filipino died as a result of a cholera epidemic after the war.

From 1898-1946 the United States had sovereignty over the Philippines.

The Philippines became independent in 1946.

From 1965-1986 the Philippines went through a dictatorship.

In 2001 President Estrada was kicked out of office following accusations
of corruption

CONDITIONS
The Philippines is newly industrialized.
For a long time its economy was based on agriculture but in recent years it has
been focusing more on services and manufacturing.

Primary exports are semiconductors, electronic products, transport equipment,
garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, and fruits.

Major trading partners include the United States, Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Germany, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Over the past 20 years there have been problems with government
corruption and mismanagement.

There are problems with land ownership issues.
Millions of farmers are landless.
Deforestation has led to floods and landslides.

Continued injustices result in frustration and sometimes violence.

Poverty is a problem.
A third of the population lives in poverty.

In Manila over a 1,000 slums have been built on the city rubbish dumps.
Due to poverty many illegal shantytowns are forming in high-risk areas (storms, flood).

Long-term investments into health, education and basic infrastructures are needed.

The Philippines are prone to earthquakes and typhoons.
In 2009 the Philippines suffered from a series of storms.
Over 1000 people were killed and millions displaced.

The Muslim minority in Mindanao is often marginalized.
This has caused resentment and many Muslims want to set up an independent Islamic state.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Catholicism has seen a gradual decrease in members.
Some members are trying to preserve the status of Catholicism in politics and society.
Others work to oppose Protestant and other Independent groups.

In some parts of the islands, Catholicism is a thin veneer over long-held
indigenous beliefs and superstitions.
Large numbers of Catholics are influenced by animism and witchcraft.

Some Evangelicals, also have extra-biblical superstitions and beliefs.

Most churches are only involved in wealthier areas.

There is increasing spiritual unity among evangelical churches.
300,000 prayer warriors in the Philippines have committed to praying
one hour every day for their nation

The Filipino Church is becoming a significant missionary-sending Church
Nearly 900 Filipino missionaries work in other countries.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that the economy continues to grow.

Pray for those suffering from poverty.
Pray for improvements in the lives of the millions of poor.

Pray that those in leadership positions pursue justice and stand against
greed and corruption.

Pray that the country be protected from typhons and earthquakes.

Pray that GOD will pour out His spirit on the Philippines.

Pray that Christians in positions of leadership may decisively influence
their nation for good.

Pray for peace in Mindanao among the Muslim population.
Pray that perceived "Christian" oppression not turn them away from the Gospel

Pray that there be peace and cooperation among the different churches.

Pray that churches reach out to the poor.

Pray that the Gospel to preached to the Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists.

Pray for discernment and vision among the churches.