“Jordan, your hard service has been completed and your sin has been paid for!”
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.(Isaiah 40:2,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Middle East
Population | 11 million
Area | 89,342㎢, located on the Arabian Peninsula and bordering Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
Capital City | Amman (2.21 million)
People Groups | Total 20 groups: Jordanians 42%, Palestinians 28%, Bedouins 13.6%, Syrians 6.2%, Iraqis 4%, Others 2.6%
Unreached People Groups | 13 (93.2% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Arabic, English
Total Languages | 17
Bible Translations | Completed 8, New Testament 3, Partial 6
Religion | Christianity 2.3% (Protestant 0.3%, Orthodox 1.4%), Islam 96.3%, Non-religious 0.9%
Evangelicals | 0.3% (30,000 people)
》 About Jordan
Jordan was once the land of Edom, Moab, and Ammon in ancient times. In the 16th century, it came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire and became part of the administrative region of Syria. During World War I, following the Arab Revolt in 1916, the area came under British mandate. In 1921, the Hashemite dynasty established the Emirate of Transjordan, and on May 25, 1946, it gained independence from Britain, becoming the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In 1950, Jordan annexed the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, but lost it to Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, but real political power remains concentrated in the hands of the king. Since ascending to the throne in 1999, King Abdullah II has promoted political reform and decentralization. The current Prime Minister, Jaafar Hassan, was appointed in 2024. One of Jordan’s most urgent social and economic challenges is the influx of refugees from neighboring countries. Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, around 1.3 million refugees have entered Jordan, placing a heavy burden on the country’s finances and social infrastructure.
Jordan’s economy is weak because it doesn’t have much water, oil, or natural resources. It depends a lot on foreign aid to support its people. Jordan imports almost all of its energy, like natural gas, and this makes up 25–30% of its total imports. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused big problems for important industries like mining, medicine exports, and tourism. Many businesses closed, and unemployment skyrocketed. Because of this, poverty got worse. Also, money sent home from Jordanians working abroad (which is about 10% of Jordan’s economy) went down. Jordan’s GDP per capita is approximately $4,618.
》 Scripture Focus
| Isaiah 40:1-2, 9-11, 26(NIV) 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Jordan is considered more of a “moderate, secular Muslim” country compared to other Islamic nations in the Middle East. While it officially allows religious freedom, evangelism and conversion from Islam are strictly forbidden. Foreigners who violate religious laws can be deported. Christians who convert from Islam often face intense pressure from their families and communities, losing custody of their children, property rights, and in extreme cases, may even become victims of honor killings. Due to government restrictions and persecution, many Christians have chosen to emigrate, and the church overall has declined in number. However, evangelical churches continue to grow at an encouraging annual rate of 3.3%. Jordan plays a central role in Middle East missions, and how it handles religious freedom greatly impacts the spread of the gospel in the region. Let us pray that Jordan would allow freedom to share the Christian faith and the good news of the gospel, and that any movement to enforce radical Islam would be stopped by the Lord’s mighty hand. Let us pray that Jordan would become a channel through which all Arab nations are led to God, our Shepherd.
2. There is an Arab saying, “No one shares more than the Arabs.” Muslims give generously to the poor, believing that such charity will help them on the Day of Judgment and protect them from various hardships. Zakat is a required giving of a portion of one’s income, while Sadaqah is voluntary charity, expressed through offerings or hospitality, and is considered an act of faith that pleases Allah. However, both zakat and sadaqah carry the risk of being misused, including for funding terrorism. Let us pray that God would shake the foundations of the belief that salvation comes through deeds, and pierce the darkness that covers hearts. May He speak deeply into the hearts of Muslims, revealing that those who believe in Jesus as the Christ are God’s people, freely forgiven and redeemed by grace—not through works, but through faith.
3. For Muslim-background believers, one of the most effective mission strategies is lay missionaries reaching out through business and professional work. Many missionaries preparing to serve in the Middle East first study Arabic at language schools in Jordan before moving to other countries. Let us pray for these language schools and Middle East missionaries—that even under surveillance and the risk of punishment, they would not shrink back, but remain bold and wise in sharing the gospel. In places where direct evangelism is difficult, Christian satellite TV and radio ministries have proven to be very effective. Let us also pray that the gospel would reach those who have never heard it through locally appropriate media, and that many would respond, rising up as believers who recognize and follow the voice of truth, like sheep following the Good Shepherd.
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