This nation is composed of around 10 million people with about a third living in Athens[1]. The economy has been struggling for some time, holding the second highest public debt in the world. Some estimates put Greece’s black market at 20-25% of the GDP, as more people have stopped reporting their income to avoid paying their taxes that, in some cases, have risen to 70% of an individual’s gross income[2]. To increase economic challenges, Greece experienced a major influx of refugee and migrant arrivals from 2015-2018[3]. Greece is also a destination and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation and for men and children trafficked for the purpose for forced labor[4]. Let’s Pray…

-God, we lift up the nation of Greece to you, and we pray for your Holy Spirit to pour out your presence upon your people in Greece. Father, release your gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May they trust in the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and seek to love you with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength.* 

-God, we pray against the spirit of disunity within your body Jesus, and we ask your body to move forward in unity in Greece. Father, help them to see your vision and your plans! Help them to act in your ways and trust in your love! Let their message breathe salvation, repentance, and a pursuit of living like our Lord Jesus. 

-Father, we pray for wisdom in leadership to help move forward an economy that can minimize debt and minimize its taxation upon residents. We pray for an equipping of the nation to support the refugees and additionally support the migrant workers. We pray for the refugees to learn the language, customs, and for them to find employment opportunities. We ask that all in need would have sufficient food, water, shelter, clothing, and access to education and clean sanitation facilities.  

-We pray over the international disputes between Turkey & Greece, and ask that you would continue to speak to the leaders who can bring peace to this dispute. We pray for your love to fill this conflict Jesus, and for a peaceful resolution. 

-Yeshua, we pray that you would shut down the human trafficking business in Greece. We pray for an angelic presence over the borders of this nation guiding the incoming victims towards a safe home and safe community. Yeshua, we pray for your anointing of holiness to press forward in Athens. We pray for salvation to come to the oppressed and poor. We pray for healing, restoration, and freedom over those held captive. We ask for conviction to fall upon the guilty, and we pray your grace would lead them to repentance, salvation, and restoration. 

-God, we pray against the drug trafficking in this nation. We pray for your angels to guard the ports and to prevent drugs from entering this nation. Help those guilty of drug trafficking repent of their sins through your blood Jesus. May they turn from their ways and seek your plans for their lives. We also pray against money laundering taking place in Greece. May your grace lead to repentance for the guilty. Amen.    

Image Credit: Johnny Chen

[1] CIA World Factbook (Date Accessed May 2015).

[2] CIA World Factbook (Date Accessed February 2019).

[3] CIA World Factbook (Date Accessed February 2019).

[4] Patt, Professor Martin (Date Accessed January 2015).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Galatians 5:22-23, (1984); Deuteronomy 6:5 (2011).