Prayers by Country, Today’s Prayer

The Vatican City & Gibraltar
September 26th

“I will build my church on the rock, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it!”

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”(Matthew 16:18,NIV)

The Vatican City State

》 Country Profile

》 About The Vatican City

The Vatican City State is the world’s smallest country in terms of both population and territory. It became an independent sovereign state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Holy See. It is home to the Holy See, the highest governing body of the Catholic Church, which oversees churches and dioceses around the world. As the largest single religious organization, the Pope has influence over Catholics globally. Although it is a state, its defense is handled by Italy, and a small Swiss Guard is stationed there. Leo XIV Pope Francis has been the 267th Pope since 2025.

The Vatican’s economy is mainly supported by donations from the believers, along with income from rental properties owned by the Holy See and bank investments. Other sources of income include admission fees to museums and art galleries, postal service revenues, and the sale of stamps, commemorative coins, and souvenirs.

》 Scripture Focus

Matthew 16:13-19(NIV)
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”
18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

》 Prayer Points

1. In Vatican City, Pope Francis is taking both religious and political roles and is working hard to renew the Catholic Church, which has been damaged by financial scandals and sexual abuse by priests. Let us pray that the money flowing in from around the world will not be used illegally or for tax evasion, and that the Pope-centered theocracy will humbly be transformed before the truth of God’s Word. Let us pray that more than 1.3 billion Catholics will acknowledge that Jesus alone is the Christ and the Son of the living God, and receive salvation.

2. The Catholic Church is becoming more divided over doctrines related to unity movements, priestly celibacy, women’s roles, homosexuality, AIDS, and contraception. It is also losing trust due to scandals involving clergy and the Vatican, and fewer people are becoming priests. Let us pray that many Catholics will turn away from unbiblical traditions like papal infallibility, the worship of Mary or saints, purgatory, and false views of salvation, and believe only in the gospel of the cross according to the Bible. Let clergy and believers confess with reverence that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and be a church built on the rock of Christ. Let us pray that the church will not be defeated by the gates of hell, but will overcome the world with the authority of the keys of the kingdom.

Gibraltar

》 Country Profile

Continent | Europe
Population | 29,000
Area | 7㎢ Located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain, facing the Strait of Gibraltar.
Capital City | Gibraltar
People Groups | Total 6 Groups, Gibraltarians 75.7%, British 13%, Spanish 2.1%, Moroccans 5.1%, others 4.1%
People Groups Unreached | 3 (9.4% of the population)
Official Language(s) | English, Spanish
Total Languages | 4
Bible Translations | Completed 3, New Testament 1
Religion | Christianity 80% (Protestant 2.6%, Catholic 68%), Muslim 8.4%, Non-religious 5.5%, Hindu 2.7%, Evangelical 2.2% (600 people)

》 About Gibraltar

Gibraltar was first occupied by Muslims in 711 and became the focus of repeated struggles between Spain and Muslim countries. In 1704, Britain took control during the War of Spanish Succession, and since then, it has been involved in various international disputes. In 1969, a referendum led to the establishment of self-government under British protection. In 2012, Spain demanded negotiations for sovereignty, and it renewed that demand after the UK decided to leave the EU in 2016. Gibraltar is a British overseas territory with a governor, and the UK handles defense, foreign affairs, internal security, and financial stability.

The economy is centered on finance, tourism, and shipping. It also benefits from revenue generated by international conference facilities and the presence of British troops. Gibraltar’s GDP per capita is approximately $61,700.

》 Prayer Points

1. Most people in Gibraltar are Catholic, and their influence is strong, so it is difficult for Protestant churches to minister. However, the number of Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Methodists is slowly growing, and the need for church cooperation is increasing. Christian bookstores sell various Bible versions, and Christian literature is being shared in homes. Let us pray that Gibraltar, which relies on other countries and human strength, will turn from false ways and become a church that proclaims the gospel of the cross.

2. Gibraltar is not only a key military location in the Mediterranean but also a strategic place for the gospel. Many tourists visit from around the world, and thousands of Jews, Hindus, and Moroccan migrant workers live there. The migrants, Muslims, and refugees who visit are poor and open-hearted, and often respond well to the gospel. Gibraltar is also an important base for missions to southern Spain and northern Africa, where there are few churches. Let us pray that more churches and missionaries will rise in Gibraltar to preach the gospel to Muslims and refugees. May the people of Gibraltar and the nations nearby receive salvation and confess, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

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