Venezuela
Total area:
916,445 km2
Population:
31,775,371 (2016)
Literacy:
91%
Official languages:
Spanish
GDP (PPP) per capita:
$12,859 (2017 est.)
Life expectancy:
74 years
Religions:
91% Catholic, 9% Protestant
Prayer points
Refugees returning to Venezuela
VIVA’s partner network of churches in Venezuela is forming a response to support former refugee families who are returning to the country during the pandemic but finding it extremely hard. Pray for churches as they work together to train families about planning and running micro-businesses, so they become economically self-sustainable. Additionally, children and young people are being empowered in peer protection and self-care, and protected against malnutrition, in a sustainable way. Pray for protection for the millions of Venezuelan people who are caught up in the desperate situations of migration, quarantine shelters and attempts at reintegration.
(Viva - April 2021) Latin American Church
Pray for the Latin American Church as it comes to understand the vital role it has in sending people into missions. Pray also for trust-filled partnerships between SIM, churches and missionaries; the development of new partnerships with non-SIM sending agencies across the region; and the provision of prayer and financial support, particularly for those from countries and contexts with extreme financial difficulties, such as Cuba and Venezuela.
(Serving In Mission - December 2020) Pavement Project counselling programme
Lifewords has taken Pavement Project, a counselling programme for children-at-risk, to Venezuela, which is in the midst of economic collapse and political turmoil; 94% of Venezuelans live in poverty, and four million people have fled to neighbouring countries in search of work and security. Alicia’s mother is one of these people. Alicia*, 11 years old, felt abandoned and alone, and was terribly afraid that her mother would forget her. She said “I feel like a notebook from which a sheet has been torn off, and then it is no longer the same notebook, a part is missing. My heart is broken.” Pray that more and more children would know God’s love for them through Pavement Project, and that it would help bring change to Venezuela. *names have been changed.
(Lifewords - February 2020) Students pray for economic crisis
Johanna from MUEVE Venezuela shares: “pray that Christian students here will show a different attitude towards the crisis our country is in. Pray that we would transmit hope, peace and a desire to continue fighting for a better future.”
(IFES - February 2019) Hyperinflation causes despair
Venezuelans from all walks of life are suffering and in despair as hyperinflation continues. Violence regularly erupts on the streets as people reach the point of desperation. Around two million people have now left the country in the last few years having lost all hope of supporting themselves if they remained. The Bible Society in Venezuela is responding by joining efforts to bring aid and help where possible. Naturally their main heart is to share God's word and restore hope where it is gone. One way of doing this is to help equip church leaders to stand on God’s word and inspire their congregations to do the same.
(Bible Society Northern Ireland - February 2019) Increased child mortality in Venezuela
The latest figures show a 30% increase in child mortality in Venezuela. Please pray for this country, and our partner network there, during the ongoing economic crisis. Along with severe shortages of food, over the last week the country has been experiencing increased political unrest.
(Viva - December 2018) Courageous students in Latin America
Without a doubt, the greatest strength of students in Latin America is their initiative to be involved in mission. In many of the movements there are only one or two workers, who support students in various universities and even in cities. Students are the main protagonists of the university mission! Poverty, corruption and violence are huge challenges for students in Latin America. However, perhaps the greatest challenge is for students to not be ashamed of their faith, but instead to share and connect with the academic and social world. Please pray for courageous communities of students who know and live in God’s word, who share their love for Jesus, who are serving the needs of the vulnerable, and who enter the academic and ideological discussions of the university from the perspective of a mature and complete faith.
(IFES - December 2018) Continued instability
Venezuela has been in a state of social, economic, and political instability for several years. There have been protests against the government, severe shortages, rising prices, and annual inflation is now more than 700%. With eight in ten people in the country living in poverty, life is extremely difficult for most people during this time of crisis. Pray for Viva's partner network in Venezuela as it responds the best it can to the needs of children and families. Christians working together are providing basic foods, essential medicines and personal hygiene items to 335 people, including 260 children, in three sub-regions of Venezuela. It is also offering training to churches to strengthen families using Viva's 'Why family matters' resources. The network is providing some hope in this time of despair.
(Viva - July 2018)