“The LORD will be jealous for Estonia and take pity on His people!”
Then the LORD was jealous for his land and took pity on his people.(Joel 2:18,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Europe
Population | 1.286 million
Area | 45,228㎢, Located in the northernmost part of the three Baltic states, in Northern Europe.
Capital City | Tallinn (450,000 people)
People Groups | Total 18 groups, Estonians 65.4%, Russians 23.6%, Võro people 6.6%, Ukrainians 1.6%, Belarusians 0.9%, others 1.9%
Unreached People Groups | 3 (0.4% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Estonian
Total Languages | 18
Bible Translations | Completed 15, New Testament 2, Partial 1
Religion | Christianity 47.4% (Orthodox 26%, Protestant 14%), Non-religious 51.7%, Ethnic religions 1.1%, Evangelicals 4.7%(55,000 people)
》 About Estonia
Estonia was invaded by Germanic from the 12th century after the Vikings, ending in 1561. Then in 1721, it came under Russian rule, was ceded to Germany in 1918, but regained independence two years later. It enjoyed 20 years of civil political development but was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. In 1990, the Estonian Communist Party broke with Moscow and renamed the country the “Republic of Estonia.” Despite threats from Soviet troops, Estonians continued peaceful independence efforts and helped lead the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. Estonia joined the EU in 2004 and is now a politically stable, mature democracy. It borders Russia and maintains tense relations due to historical issues and the status of Russian minorities. It is a parliamentary republic, with President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in office since 2021.
The economy has used the euro since 2011 and ranks high in per capita income in Central Europe. Though vulnerable to global shocks, coal and timber are its key natural resources, and it produces grain, dairy, and meat. The service sector dominates, and Estonia benefits from strong trade with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. With major national investment, the country has rapidly advanced in IT—leading in e-government, online voting, and digital services. The government is also working to solve labor shortages. Estonia’s GDP per capita is approximately $20,046.
》 Scripture Focus
| Joel 2:12-13, 18, 28-29, 32(NIV) 12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 18 Then the LORD was jealous for his land and took pity on his people. 28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. 32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls. |
》 Prayer Points
1. Estonia does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. However, the Same-Sex Partnership Act grants legal rights such as property, inheritance, and medical decisions. A bill to legalize same-sex marriage was introduced in 2023 but was not passed. The issue has caused division within the United Methodist Church in Estonia, with some churches declaring withdrawal over disagreements with LGBTQ+ policies. In public schools, Christian doctrine and history may be taught in ‘religious studies,’ depending on the school. However, many believers’ confessions of faith are weakening, and youth are increasingly influenced by post-Christian values. Let us pray that the church will be awaken, fast, and intercede, so that the gospel may be powerfully proclaimed to rebellious hearts and lead many to repentance.
2. Only about 14% of the population are Protestant, mostly Lutheran. Lutheran and Baptist churches are slowly growing. There are few foreign missionaries, but Mormonism and other cults are gaining influence. Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, and Pentecostals are training pastors and lay leaders through seminaries and Bible schools. Youth and college ministries are expanding, and the gospel is being spread on campuses. Evangelicals make up about 4.7% of the population and are forming unity and prayer gatherings through the Evangelical Alliance. Let us pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, so that children may prophesy, the old may dream, and the young may see visions in a new revival.
3. Reconciliation between Estonians and Russians remains difficult due to historical pain. Let the gospel be preached and discipleship grow among Russian-speaking Orthodox believers. Pray also for the salvation of Tatar Muslims, Jews, and rising minority groups, according to God’s promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” The gospel is being shared through radio, television, and written ministries. Given Estonia’s strength in IT, online evangelism and discipleship are expected to grow. Let every heart that hears the gospel tear not their garments but their hearts and return to God for grace and mercy.
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