“Wake up, sleeper, and Christ will shine on you.”
For the first time in German history, the number of people identifying as non-religious has surpassed the combined population of Roman Catholics and Protestants, Evangelical Focus reported on the 24th.
According to a survey published in April 2024 by the Worldview Research Institute (Fowid), 47 percent of Germany’s population—approximately 39 million people—identified as non-religious by the end of the year. In contrast, Christians made up 45 percent of the population, with 24 percent identifying as Catholic and 21 percent as Protestant, totaling around 38 million.
Fowid noted that while Protestant churches under the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) experienced a sharper decline before 2020, more Catholics left the church in 2021, 2022, and again in 2023.
The report also highlighted that in 2024 alone, both the Catholic and Protestant churches each lost around 580,000 members, marking a combined decrease of 1.16 million. This is the fourth year that the combined loss from both churches has exceeded one million in a single year.
In contrast, the Muslim population in Germany continues to grow. According to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), about 80,000 Muslims were added in 2024 based on religious data from asylum applications. Muslims now make up roughly 3.9 percent of the total population, while those of other religions account for around 4.1 percent.
The survey also examined religious service attendance, which remained generally low. As of 2024, only 6.6 percent of Catholics and 2.3 percent of Protestants attended worship services at least once a month, compared to approximately 25 percent of Muslims.
The report concluded that religious participation is significantly higher among minority religious communities than in official state churches, estimating that over half of their members are actively involved in regular religious activities.(Source: Gospel Prayer Newspaper)
This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:14-16,NIV)
God, shine the light of Christ upon the sleepers’ souls so that they are awakened in Germany, where the non-religious population has surpassed the number of Christians. Even Germany is the land was the centre of the Reformation. Teach those who follow the ways of the world and live as nominal believers, having lost the power of the gospel, with the word of wisdom. Grant them mercy to live according to the fullness of the gospel, through which You gave even Your Son. May the Church, as the bride awaiting Your covenant, make the most of every opportunity. Let them boldly proclaim the gospel to the immigrants who have come to this land as strangers, so that all nations may praise the Lord.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
