Mexico 2
March 19th

“The Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before Mexico!”
For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations(Isaiah 61:11,NIV).

》 Country Profile

Continent｜America
Population ｜128 million
Area｜ 1,958,201㎢ The largest country in Central America after the United States.
Capital City |  Mexico City (22 million people)
People Groups | Total 343 groups, Mestizos 62%, Native Americans 21%, European Americans 10%, Detribalized indigenous peoples 7%
People Groups Unreached | 3 (0.1%)
Languages |  Spanish
Total Languages | 293
Bible Translations | Completed 35, New Testament 134, Partial 47
Religion | Christian 95.3% (Protestant 10%, Catholic 82.7%), Non-religious 2.7%, Ethnic religions 1.8% Evangelical 10.5% 17 million people

》 About Mexico

Mexico has a rich history of advanced civilizations, including the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cultures, which thrived long before the Spanish arrived. The Aztec civilization, which flourished for 200 years, was conquered by Spain in 1521. For the next 300 years, Mexico was under Spanish colonial rule until gaining independence in 1821. Following independence, Mexico’s political scene was marked by constant struggles between liberal decentralists and conservative centralists. In the first half of the 19th century, Mexico lost half of its territory, including California and Texas, to the United States. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, Mexico suffered under the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz, a period characterized by extensive foreign capital exploitation and severe social inequality. The Mexican Revolution began in 1910, led by figures like Madero, Carranza, Obregón, Zapata, and Pancho Villa. In 1929, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) united the various revolutionary factions and maintained a single-party rule for 70 years until 2000. Mexico remains a federal republic with a six-year presidential term, and Andrés Manuel López Obrador has served as president since 2018.

Mexico’s economy became the 11th largest in the world after the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994. The economy is driven primarily by manufacturing, oil, and related industries. However, the country faces significant challenges, including severe inequality, widespread corruption, and the fact that 40% of the population lives in poverty. The drug trade, controlled by powerful cartels, also remains a major issue. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted key industries such as automotive, construction, mining, and tourism. Given that 80% of Mexico’s exports go to the U.S., there are concerns about a long-term economic recession due to the U.S. economic downturn. 
Mexico’s GDP per capita is approximately $17,900.

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Mexico’s murder rate is increasing sharply. In 2018 alone, there were 33,000 murders, which is about 91 each day. The main reason for this increase in murders is due to the power struggle between drug gangs. After the Mexican government sent in the military and police to fight the drug cartels, the murder rate rose sharply, with over 200,000 people estimated to have been killed since then. Corrupt officials who work with drug cartels and weak law enforcement that ignores drug crime also share the blame.
Let’s pray that the drug cartels realize their wrongdoings and turn to God, who cares about justice and hates robbery. We should also pray for the many people living in fear of death, that they may find comfort and become part of God’s blessed community.

2. Drug trafficking is a major business in Mexico. Due to its location next to the United States, the largest drug market in the world, most drugs from Latin America are smuggled into the U.S through Mexico. The drug business has grown because of the connections between the Mexican government and drug cartels, bringing in a lot of illegal money into Mexico’s economy. Many people depend on the drug trade for their jobs, making it hard to stop. There are over 500,000 drug addicts in Mexico.
Let’s pray that the forces of evil and darkness leave Mexico so that the land can bear fruit and bring about salvation. We should also pray for God’s kingdom to come, filled with justice and praise. May those struggling with addiction find healing and be restored as a holy community, ready to welcome Christ, the bridegroom of the Church.

3. One-third of Mexico’s population is under 15 years old. Of the 38 million children and teenagers, almost half live in poverty. Many of these kids face violence at home and school. In Mexico City, around 800,000 street children live in very poor conditions. About 11 million minors drop out of school to work over 35 hours a week to help their families. Some work in dangerous places like mines, garbage dumps, construction sites, and nightclubs. Sadly, an average of four children and teens are murdered every day, and 20% of missing persons are kids. Let’s pray that the next generation, the future of Mexico, hears the gospel and becomes a holy group that can change the country. We should also pray for the church to care for the many street children who need love and help, showing Christ’s love. Let’s ask God to bring justice and praise in Mexico. 

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