“Norway, put your hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment!”
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.(1 Timothy 6:17,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Europe
Population | 5.55 million
Area | 323,802㎢, Located in the northwestern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe.
Capital City | Oslo (1.07 million)
People Groups | Total 61 groups, Norwegians 83.4%, Poles 2.2%, Lithuanians 0.9%, Somalis 0.8%, Others 12.7%
Unreached People Groups | 13 (4.8% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Norwegian
Total Languages | 54
Bible Translations | Completed 43, New Testament 5, Partial 4
Religion | Christianity 87.2% (Protestant 77%, Catholic 5%), Non-religious 5%, Islam 5.1%, Buddhism 1.1%, Evangelical 8%(430,000 people)
》 About Norway
Norway was composed of several small kingdoms until the late 8th century, followed by active overseas expeditions by the Vikings that continued until the 11th century. In 872, King Harald unified the territory into a single kingdom, and by the mid-11th century, its influence had extended to Denmark. However, from the late 14th century, Norway came under the control of Denmark and Sweden. In 1905, it gained independence from Sweden, marking the beginning of the current royal family. During World War II, Norway was occupied by Germany. In 1949, the country abandoned its policy of neutrality and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Its accession to the European Union (EU) was rejected by a national referendum. Since the implementation of the National Social Security Plan in 1971, Norway has provided all citizens with benefits such as free education, healthcare, unemployment insurance, and pensions. Key domestic challenges include integrating immigrants and minority groups, addressing an aging population, maintaining an extensive welfare system, and enhancing economic competitiveness. Norway is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with King Harald V serving since 1991 and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in office since 2021.
The economy is characterized by limited agriculture, as only about 3% of the land is arable. However, shipping and fishing industries are highly developed. Norway’s abundant hydroelectric resources support major industries such as metallurgy, steel, timber, paper, shipbuilding, and electrical engineering. Since 1975, the country’s economy has seen significant growth through crude oil and natural gas production from the North Sea oil fields, developed together with the United Kingdom. Norway is the world’s fourth-largest exporter of crude oil, the third-largest exporter of natural gas, and ranks second in global fish catch. Norway’s GDP per capita is approximately $86,809.
》 Scripture Focus
| 1 Timothy 6:11–19(NIV) 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Norway officially adopted Lutheranism as its state religion in 1539, but after 478 years, it lost that status in 2017. In the past, clergy received government support, which led them to become spiritually complacent and inactive in missions. Although about 75% of the population identifies as Lutheran, fewer than 5% regularly attend worship, and more than half doubt or deny the existence of God. False theology, such as affirming homosexuality and officiating same-sex marriages, has further weakened the church’s holiness and influence. As Lutheranism continues to decline, Catholicism and heretical sects are on the rise. Pentecostal, charismatic, mission covenant, Methodist, and Baptist churches are striving to revive the spiritual life of Norwegians. Let us pray that the fullness once seen in the Norwegian church will not become just a story of the past, and that the church will keep fighting the good fight of faith. Let us pray that churches will boldly share the gospel with those who reject and deny God, standing holy and blameless until the return of Jesus Christ.
2. Norway once sent many missionaries to the world and still sends missionaries with a strong vision for global missions. Major mission organizations include the Norwegian Missionary Society, Norwegian Lutheran Mission, and Normisjon, many of which have roots in Pentecostal and Lutheran traditions. Although their focus was mainly on international missions, they are now sensing a growing need for domestic evangelism and are responding by planting churches. DAWN (Discipling A Whole Nation) is playing a catalytic role by discipling nominal believers and evangelizing the increasing number of non-Christians. God, who dwells in unapproachable light, gave His Son to be with us. Let us bless and pray for the Norwegian church and its missionaries who have received this gospel, that through their faithful testimony, many gospel workers will arise who follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
3. Over the past 70 years, Norway has welcomed immigrants to address labor shortages, leading to an increase in Asian populations. Later, many refugees from the Balkans, Africa, and the Middle East arrived, and now immigrants make up about 14% of the total population. Muslims comprise more than 5%, including 44,000 Somalis, 38,000 Syrians, and 35,000 Iraqis and Pakistanis. Buddhists include 39,000 Thais and 24,000 Vietnamese. There are also non-religious groups such as Czechs, Estonians, Chinese, and Dutch. These people came seeking prosperity, yet they continue to face new hardships and challenges. Let us pray that these unreached peoples will be saved through the gospel of the cross, and that they will place their hope not in wealth but in God, who richly provides everything to enjoy. Even if they have nothing, may they encounter Christ, receive true life, and live as witnesses who declare that Jesus alone is enough.
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