Spain
October 21st

“Spain, walk in the way of love, as dearly loved children!”

and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(Ephesians 5:2,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | Europe
Population | 47.16 million
Area |  505,190㎢, Located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and facing the African continent.
Capital City | Madrid (6.71 million)
People Groups | Total 104 Groups, Spaniards 85.4% (Catalans 8%, Basques 5.4%), Moroccans 1.7%, Romanians 1.2%, others 12.3%
Unreached People Groups | 15 (2.2% of the population)
Official Language(s) |  Spanish
Total Languages | 71
Bible Translations | Completed 51, New Testament 13, Partial 6
Religion | Christianity 77.3% (Protestant 1.5%, Catholic 69%), Non-religious 19.4%, Muslims 2.6% Evangelicals 1.6%(750,000 people).

》 About Spain

Spain was originally made up of small kingdoms and came under Islamic rule in the early 8th century. The country was unified in 1492 after the success of the “Reconquista,” a movement to reclaim land from Muslim control. From the early 16th to the early 17th century, Spain became a global empire, often called “the empire on which the sun never sets.” However, it began to decline after its naval defeat by England in 1588. In the 19th century, Spain suffered further decline due to Napoleon’s invasion and the loss of its colonies in Central and South America. During Napoleon’s rule, Spanish national identity began to form. In 1931, a republic was declared, but by 1939, right-wing forces led by General Franco took power. Franco ruled as a dictator until his death in 1975. Afterward, Spain returned to a constitutional monarchy, embraced democracy, and joined the EU in 1986, which helped drive rapid economic growth and expand civil freedoms. It remains a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with King Felipe VI as monarch and Pedro Sánchez serving as Prime Minister since 2018, re-elected for a third term in 2023.

Spain is the fourth-largest economy in the eurozone. Tourism is a major source of income, attracting visitors for its low prices, bullfighting, flamenco, and Islamic heritage sites. In 2019, Spain welcomed about 83.7 million international tourists, making it one of the most visited countries in the world, alongside the United States. Exports in traditional sectors such as automobiles, chemicals, and food have remained strong. The unemployment rate steadily improved, dropping from 19.6% in 2016 to 14.1% in 2019. However, due to its high dependence on tourism and hospitality, Spain was hit hard economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. Spain’s GDP per capita is approximately $36,200.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Spain became a Christian nation during the Roman Empire. While most citizens once identified as Catholic, that number has now declined to about 69%, and 20% of the population identifies as non-religious. Protestants make up 1.5% and evangelicals 1.6%, steadily growing, though the spiritual climate has cooled due to increasing secularism. Many evangelicals are immigrants—Gypsies, Latin Americans, Eastern Europeans, and Africans—who have established culturally unique churches. Churches are united through the Federation of Spanish Evangelical Religious Entities, and the Spanish Evangelical Alliance has worked toward unity for over 140 years.
Let us pray that the church will become a positive influence on the nation and local communities in the face of public and media hostility toward Protestantism. Though outright persecution is rare, discrimination exists. May churches imitate God and live as children of light, bearing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth in a nation filled with secularism, sin, and unbelief.

2. Many are in a spiritual void, drawn to occultism, New Age deception, and pseudo-Christian sects such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. Youth are immersed in postmodern materialism and hedonism; over 2 million are addicted to drugs, many of them young. Gambling consumes 15% of private spending in Spain, and abortion, prostitution, and sexual immorality are widespread among youth. Yet, some ministries are achieving great success in drug rehabilitation. The Spanish University Bible Study Fellowship, connected to IFES, is actively sharing the gospel and discipling students across many universities.
Let us pray that this generation, which rejects absolute truth, will hear the eternal truth of the gospel and not be deceived by empty worldly lies. May they receive Christ, who gave Himself as a sacrifice for the immoral, impure, and greedy, and believe they have died and risen with Jesus to inherit the Kingdom of God.

3. Immigrants and refugees are increasingly entering Spain, with 6 million migrants now accounting for about 12% of the population (as of 2019). The largest groups are from Latin America and Morocco, with rising numbers from North Africa and the Middle East. As a result, Muslims now make up 2.6% of the population—more than Protestants—and the number continues to grow. Ministries like the Malaga Media Center and the PMI are working among Moroccan (780,000), Algerian (60,000), Moorish (11,000), and South Asian (126,000) Muslims. Let us pray that churches will remain vigilant and committed to gospel outreach and missions.
Let us also pray that Spain will not respond to migrants and refugees with crude talk or contempt, but instead with gratitude, help, and service. May churches discern what pleases the Lord and boldly share the gospel with the Muslims, obeying God for the sake of their salvation.

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