Within the Italian economy, persistent problems include slow economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic disparities between southern Italy and the more prosperous north[1]. Italy’s public debt remains at 132% of their GDP[2]. Another major issue Italy faces is the high number of illegal immigrants from Southeastern Europe and Northern Africa, and additionally serves as home to over 130,000 refugees from various nations[3]. Finally, it is important to note that Italy is a destination and transit country for women, children, and men trafficked internationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor[4]. Despite these challenges, the Holy Spirit is moving and breathing in Italy. Let’s align with the Holy Spirit in prayer to press forth God’s plans…

-God, we thank you for each Italian living in this nation. We lift up those who follow you Christ. Help your children’s hearts be fully committed to you, the Lord our God. Help them to live by your decrees and obey your commands. Help them to develop a relationship with you God where they seek to love you with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength. We pray for energy within the church.  We pray for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to overflow upon your body in Italy. We pray for renewed vision for your leaders to shepherd the flock according to your desires. Jesus, we pray for the model of transformational leadership to be utilized in moving forward your kingdom in Italy. May your Christians be rooted and grounded in you Yeshua HaMashiach.* 

-Holy Spirit, we ask that you would bind the enemy’s power within religions that do not honor Jesus Christ as God. We pray for mercy over these people groups and for your kindness to lead people to repentance. 

-God, we ask for angelic assignments to be placed over each trafficking victim or potential victim in Italy. Yeshua, we pray for your divine protection over each individual. God, we ask for a release for these victims in Italy. We pray that you would set free the oppressed in this nation. We press forward in your grace and ask for mental, emotional, and physical healing over the captives through the blood of your son Yeshua. We ask that the captive would hear your word and accept your saving grace Jesus. Help the victims enter into healing and life breathing communities. Holy Spirit, we ask that you would convict the guilty of their sins and lead them to repentance, salvation, and the plans you have for them.       

-Father, we pray for the economy in Italy. We pray that as hearts draw near to you, you would bring economic renewal to Italy. We ask for employment opportunities to increase and for poverty to decrease. We pray against organized crime and for hearts to be broken and renewed. Let your word be like fire, my Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces.** Let these pieces be renewed through the cleansing of your blood Jesus. We pray against drug imports and their consumption in Italy. We ask for those guilty of producing and transporting these drugs to turn from their ways and find freedom in you. Let the borders of Italy be guarded by your angels so no drug may enter. Thank you Jesus. 

-Father, we lift up the illegal immigrant population and the refugees living in Italy. We pray that each individual would be presented with the opportunity to meet with you Yeshua and embrace your saving grace. Jesus, we pray that you would soften their hearts so they may receive your free gift of salvation. We pray for the provision of food, clean water, education, shelter, and clean sanitation facilities for each family group or individual. We pray for these communities to flourish in their new home.     

Image Credit: Federico Beccari

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

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

[3] CIA World Factbook (Date Accessed July 2020). 

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

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

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Jeremiah 23:29, (2011).