Guatemala
March 13th

“The Lord will fight for Guatemala!”

There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!(Joshua 10:14,NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | America
Population | 17.7 million
Area | 108,889㎢, Located in central Central America and southern Mexico.
Capital City | Guatemala City (3.03 million)
People Groups | Total 60 groups, Spanish-speaking Ladino 61.5%, Native Americans (Maya) – Kekchi 7.7%, Kisi 6.7%, Kakchikel 3.9%, Mam 3.7%, Americans 2.8%
People Groups Unreached | 1 (900 Jews)
Offical Language(s) | Spanish
Total Languages | 26
Bible Translations | Completed 14, New Testament 6, Partial 4
Religion | Christianity 95.3% (Protestant 20%, Catholic 56%), Non-religious 3.1%, Ethnic religion 1.5% Evangelical 25% (4.36 million people)

》 About Guatemala

Guatemala was once home to the brilliant Mayan civilization. However, it became a Spanish colony in 1524 and gained independence in 1821. It was briefly part of the Mexican Empire and later the Federal Republic of Central America, but in 1839, it established its own government. In 1847, the Republic of Guatemala was founded, but the country experienced ongoing coups and military regimes.
In 1960, a failed coup attempt against the military government led to the formation of guerrilla groups in the mountainous regions, sparking a civil war. The conflict lasted until 1996, leaving approximately 200,000 people dead and one million displaced. Peace was achieved with a treaty between the government and the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity. Democratic elections have since brought some stability. However corruption, poverty, and inequality remain persistent problems. Alejandro Giammattei has been serving as president since 2020 for a four-year term.

Guatemala’s economy relies heavily on agricultural exports, including sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. The garment industry also plays a significant role, with the United States as a major trade partner. Around 40% of the population depends on remittances from overseas workers. Income inequality is severe, with 60% of the population living below the poverty line and 23% in extreme poverty. Nearly half of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition. Additionally, drug smuggling is widespread along the border with Mexico.
Guatemala’s GDP per capita is approximately $5,797.

》 Scripture Focus

Joshua 10:6-11,14(NIV) 6 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.” 7 So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men.  8 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” 9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.  10 The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.  11 As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!

》 Prayer Points

1. Though 56% of Guatemalans claim themselves as Catholic, many practice their faith only nominally. Thankfully  Evangelical Christians now make up 25% of the population, and there are approximately 40,000 churches in the country. However, within Evangelical churches, some are focused on pursuing the success of large congregations and preach prosperity gospel. Others still mix indigenous religious practices into their faith or struggle to leave behind worldly pleasures and desires.
Pray for Guatemala’s churches to be sanctified by the truth, transformed in holiness, and empowered to boldly proclaim the gospel. May they persist in prayer, trusting that the Lord will fight for Guatemala.

2. In Guatemala, overseas missionary organizations such as the Presbyterian Church, the Assemblies of God (AoG), the Brethren, and the Church of the Nazarene are actively working, along with the Evangelical Missionary Association (AME), founded in 1984, and various other organizations that continue to expand their ministries. Churches are being established among the Kekchi, an indigenous people of the Americas, and the gospel is also spreading among the Maya, Chortí, Pokomchi, Ixil, and Jacalteco peoples. However, the Garifuna people, as well as Chinese and Arab communities, remain in great need of the gospel. With 70% of the population under the age of 30, there is an urgent need for gospel ministry among children and youth. Many children, trapped in extreme poverty, lack access to education and are vulnerable to involvement in crime and human trafficking due to broken families and orphanhood. Some Christian organizations are operating schools for orphans and at-risk children, providing them with nutritious meals and care. Let us pray that churches and missionaries will stand firm in the victory of Christ over the forces of darkness and boldly proclaim the gospel, serving the indigenous peoples and the next generation without fear.

3. Guatemala is struggling with deepening social unrest due to government corruption, drug trafficking, and widespread sexual violence. Drug cartels operate with impunity, committing human trafficking and sexual exploitation crimes, particularly in border regions, under the protection of corrupt police and politicians. Women and children are the most vulnerable, as cartels use sexual violence as a means of control and exploitation. The number of sexual abuse cases among girls aged 10 to 14 has skyrocketed, yet legal responses remain inadequate, and perpetrators often go unpunished. Amid these challenges, evangelical churches and missionary organizations are engaged in ministries to protect victims, restore addicts, and pray for justice. Let us pray for God’s justice to be fulfilled in Guatemala, breaking the grip of corruption and violence, and bringing restoration and hope to the nation.

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