“Brazil, the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | America
Population | 216 million
Area | 8,515,770㎢ Located on the Atlantic coast of central-eastern South America, it is the fifth largest country in the world.
Capital City | Brasilia (4.8 million), Sao Paulo (22.43 million), Rio de Janeiro (13.63 million)
People Groups | Total 322 groups, European whites (Portuguese, Italian, Spanish) 44.2%, mixed race 46.7%, African 8.2%
People Groups Unreached | 49 (0.1% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Portuguese
Total Languages | 171
Bible Translations | Completed 27, New Testament 63, Partial 27
Religion | Christianity 89.8% (7% Protestant, 68% Catholic), Ethnic religion 5.7%, Non-religious 3% , Islam 0.6%, Evangelical 24.9% (52.21 million)
》 About Brazil
Brazil began to be colonized in 1500 and gained independence from Portugal in 1822. After a period of monarchy, the country became a republic in 1889, and the first democratic elections in 1950 led to a presidential system. General Branco, who led a coup in 1964, established a military dictatorship and promoted industrialization with pro-American and anti-communist policies. In 1985, a multiparty democracy was restored, and in 2019, Jair Boussonar became president. Since 2020, the country has been hit hard by COVID-19, ranking third in the world for most cases and deaths.
Brazil economy is the eighth largest in the world but is recovering after suffering the worst recession in its history since 2015. Brazil is one of the world’s largest exporter of sugar, coffee, and oranges, and the country is rich in resources such as gold, silver, chromium, diamonds, iron ore, and natural gas. Forest resources are also abundant, producing 600,000 tonnes of timber a year, but farmers are poor and of small-scale, and ecosystem degradation is severe. Brazil’s GDP per capita is approximately $14,100.
》 Scripture Focus
| Nehemiah 8:2-3, 8-12(NIV) 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” 12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. |
》 Prayer Points
1. In Brazil, the percentage of Catholics, which was 95% in 1950, has fallen sharply to around 68%. Many people have left the Catholic Church to become Evangelicals, who now number over 52 million, or 25% of the population. We thank God that Brazil is one of the countries with the highest number of evangelicals in the world.
However, there are problems among Christians such as nominalism, secularism and materialism. There have been unfortunate cases of pastors and leaders committing financial and sexual crimes, failing to show the true image of being disciples and witnesses of the Lord. Let us pray that Brazil will repent and turn away from sin through the truth of the cross. May it become a nation that finds strength in rejoicing in the Lord alone.
2. The number of people living in extreme poverty has risen sharply each year. Since the country’s economy entered its worst recession in 2015, inequality has reached an all-time high. According to a report published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2021, 62.5 million people, or 29.4% of the total population, live in extreme poverty. This is the highest level since 2012. The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $1.90 a day. Experts believe that cutbacks in social programmes due to the financial crisis have contributed to the widening gap between rich and poor.
Let us pray for the government and the church to unite in serving and helping the poor and the sick. May the wealthy hear the Gospel, receive salvation and share their possessions in love with their neighbors in need.
3. In Brazil, adolescents and children under the age of 24 make up 37% of the population. Poor urban children and orphans are at risk of drug addiction, gang violence and prostitution. In 2016, around 2.4 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 were involved in child labour. Let’s pray that government programmes such as Bolsa Familia and the Child Labour Eradication Programme will be active and that these children will be cared for with God’s love as their Father.
The indigenous peoples of the Americas number between 350,000 and 500,000 and live mainly in the Amazon and Pantanal reserves. Missions to them should not only provide material help and protection from developers, but also pray for their spiritual restoration through the Gospel. Let us also pray that over 1.6 million Japanese descendants, over 200,000 Chinese, 150,000 Jews and Arab Muslims will receive the cross of the Gospel for their salvation. May all people hear and understand the Bible and enjoy fellowship with the Lord in faith.
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