“Jordan belongs to the LORD!”
Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.(Psalm 82:8,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Middle East
Population | 11 million
Area | 89,342㎢ (about 0.9 times the size of South Korea), 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 used to be the land of Edom, Moab, and Ammon. In the 1500s, it became part of the Ottoman Empire. From 1916, it was under British control until it became independent in 1946 and became a kingdom. In the 1967 Six-Day War, Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel. Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, which is a system of governement where a monarch, such as a king or a queen, is the head of state, but their powers are limited by a constitution. King Abdullah II has been king since 1999. In 2017, he made some political changes, giving more power to local governors and councils. Bisher Al-Khasawneh was chosen by the king to be prime minister in 2020. One of Jordan’s biggest problems is the large number of refugees from nearby countries.
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 $9,800.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalm 82:1–8(NIV) 1 God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods.” 2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? 3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 5 The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’ 7 But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.” 8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Jordan has long been a place of refuge. Since the Gulf War in 1991, waves of refugees from various nationalities have entered the country due to regional wars and civil conflicts. Today, refugees and foreigners make up about 58% of the population. With international aid now decreasing, the refugee crisis has become a major social issue. The greatest challenge for refugees is both physical and spiritual poverty. Yet this very poverty is breaking down the stronghold of Islam that has stood for 1,400 years. Let us pray that the church will continue to love and serve refugees with perseverance so they may encounter the love of God who rescues the poor and the needy. May God also grant churches and mission organizations wisdom as they serve and ensure ongoing provision for refugee ministry so that the gospel may be shared effectively.
2. There is an Arab saying, “No one shares more than Arabs.” Muslims are known for their charitable giving to the poor. Many believe that generous charity will help them on the Day of Judgment and shield them from misfortune. Zakat, the obligatory giving of a portion of income, and Sadaqah, voluntary charity expressed through offerings or hospitality, are both viewed as acts of faith that please Allah. Let us pray that God would shake the foundations of this works-based belief system and pierce the darkness that blinds hearts. May the eyes of all who believe be opened to see that, by God’s free grace, they already belong to Him in Christ—not through deeds, but through faith.
3. Of the 21 ethnic groups in Jordan, 14 are considered unreached and have never heard the gospel. Among the 1.4 million Bedouins—many of whom still live as nomads—only a small number are believers. The gospel also needs to reach other marginalized and impoverished minorities such as the Dom Gypsies, Kabardians, Adyghes, Druze, and Chechens. Let us pray that the church will boldly proclaim the gospel with unwavering zeal despite government surveillance and opposition. May the Lord reveal Himself through dreams and visions. Let us also pray that these minority groups will rise as a victorious church under God’s judgment and come to enjoy the inheritance and authority given to the children of the Most High.
》 Urgent prayer requests around the world need your prayer!
