“Take delight in the Lord, O Georgia; and he will give you the desires of your heart!”
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.(Psalms 37:4, NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Central Asia
Population | 4.93 million
Area | 69,700㎢, A Black Sea coastal country located in the Caucasus region between southern Russia and Turkey.
Capital City | Tbilisi (1.08 million people)
People Groups | Total 40 groups, Caucasians (Georgians 72.2%, Mingrelians 7.8%), Armenians 4.2%, Turks (Azeris 5.9%), Iranian Medes (Ossetians 0.3%)
Unreached People Groups | 16 (6.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Georgian
Total Languages | 37
Bible Translations | Completed 21, New Testament 3, Partial 3
Religion | Christianity 80.4% (Protestant 1.1%, Orthodox 77.6%), Non-religious 9.7%, Muslims 9.2% Evangelicals 1.4% (69,000 people)
》 About Georgia
Georgia began as the ancient Kingdom of Colchis and became a Greek colony in the 6th century BC. Over time, it was caught between the powers of Rome and Persia. In the 3rd century AD, it became the Kingdom of Kartli and accepted Christianity as its state religion in the 330s. In the late 15th century, it came under the influence of the Ottoman and Persian Empires. Later, in the 19th century, Georgia was taken over by the Russian Empire and became known as “Georgia.” Although it briefly gained independence in 1918, it was forced into the Soviet Union in 1921 and only regained independence in 1991. Eduard Shevardnadze became president in 1995, but was removed from power during the Rose Revolution in 2003. Georgia later went to war with Russia over the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In 2008, Russia invaded and won a short five-day war, putting these areas under its control. A 2018 constitutional change gave more power to the prime minister and reduced the role of the president. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream party has led the government. In December 2024, Mikheil Kavelashvili became president, but former president Salome Zourabichvili refused to step down, claiming election fraud. This has led to ongoing political conflict in the country.
Georgia’s economy is based on agriculture, mining, and tourism. Its main exports include wine, citrus fruits, and manganese. Tourism has been growing in recent years. Since signing a partnership with the European Union in 2014, foreign investment has increased, and Georgia has also made a free trade deal with China. Still, the country faces problems like high youth unemployment (around 40%) and income inequality. The government is working to improve the economy by rebuilding infrastructure and hydroelectric plants. Climate change and its impact on farming are also important concerns.
Georgia’s GDP per capita is approximately $8,237.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalms 37:1-6(NIV) 1. Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2. for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6. He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Christians are Orthodox Christians, 77% of the population, but for most, their faith is merely a ceremonial religion shaped by nationalism and cultural tradition, and they rarely attend church. Evangelicals from Baptist and Pentecostal churches make up just over 1% of the population, but unfortunately, this number is slowly decreasing. Protestants are regarded as heretics, and converts often face persecution from their families and acquaintances. Let us be thankful that evangelical leaders are uniting in this faith, fellowshipping together, upholding biblical values, and working towards greater religious freedom in Georgia. Let us pray that the Georgian Church will not grumble against those who do evil in politics and religion but will trust in God, believe in the gospel according to the Bible, and do good.
2.Due to its strategic location along trade routes, Georgia is well-positioned to spread the gospel to ethnic minorities. Some Azerbaijanis, Kists, and Abkhazians are Muslims, while the Mingrelians and Svans are nominally Orthodox but have no true religious beliefs. Moreover, there is no one actively evangelizing the Jewish community. Let us be grateful that over 100 Korean missionaries are serving in Georgia. Let us pray that God will send more workers for the harvest to renew the church with the gospel of the cross. Let us also pray that the Georgian Church, which has been trained and nurtured through these missionaries, will obey the word, “Commit your way to the Lord,” and engage in evangelism and missions.
3.The poverty population is close to 20%, and the youth unemployment is 40%. Churches also struggle to maintain their buildings and rely on foreign financial support, making relief efforts and assistance difficult. Additionally, young people are increasingly uninterested in church and often leave by their teenage years. Since the five-day war with Russia in 2008, the South Ossetia region has remained under Russian control, and the ongoing threat of conflict due to separatist tensions persists. Furthermore, Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has further destabilized Georgia’s situation. Let us pray that this land will turn away from the pursuit of worldly desires and power, and instead seek the Lord and return to him. Let us also pray that the poor and hopeless will delight in the Lord, who grants the desires of their hearts, and receive the grace to stand before Him in righteousness.
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