Maldives is a series of approximately 1,190 islands located in the Indian Ocean. The economy is built upon the sectors of tourism and fishing[1]. Areas of growth within the economy include reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, combatting corruption, and eliminating illegal drugs on the islands[2]. Islam is the official religion and to be Maldivian is to be Muslim[3]. Maldives is one of the most restrictive nations in the world for the gospel of Jesus Christ, in which Christians must practice their faith in secret[4]. Additionally, Maldives is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking, while also being a source country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking[5]. Let’s Pray…

-God, we lift up the islands of Maldives to you.  Jesus, we pray for an infilling of your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control within each island in Maldives. We pray that you God would pour out your spirit on all people in Maldives, that their sons and daughters would prophecy, that their old men would dream dreams, and their young men would see visions of you Jesus.* 

-God, we lift up the movement and presence of the Holy Spirit on the islands. We pray forth your presence to overcome the presence of the enemy upon the islands. We pray for angelic assignments to be strengthened on the islands and to conquer the presence of the enemy. May eyes be opened and hearts be ready for your truth to be revealed to your creation. Jesus, help those who do not know you come to receive the free gift of salvation in your name Jesus. Jesus, we pray for the protection of Christians and those who desire to follow you Jesus. We pray for each individual to be equipped with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, for their feet to be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, for their shield of faith, their helmet of salvation, and their sword of the spirit, the word of God. Finally, let these believers pray in the Holy Spirit on all occasions.** We pray for angelic guides as they continue to live for you Jesus.

-Father, we pray for a translation of the Bible in Dhivehi. We pray for protection over the hands given this assignment. We also pray for this bible to be printed in the thousands, transported onto the islands safely, and distributed as you desire Yeshua. Elohim, we pray for any internet restrictions towards your gospel to be broken on the islands. Jesus, we pray for easily accessible opportunities for Maldivians to hear your word and engage in your truth. Help them to receive your free gift of salvation Jesus.   

-Father, we lift up the economy to you and pray a blessing over the tourism and fishing industry. We lift up the government and pray that they would not persecute your Christians. Help them to uplift and protect the gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray for a reformation over public finance and an increase in employment opportunities. Father, we pray that you would convict the guilty of corruption, and that they would repent and turn from their ways. We pray over sources for illegal drug production and ask for conviction to turn their heart as well. Father eliminate any growing drug use, and help them to find hope and freedom in you Jesus. God, help tourists take captive of every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Jesus, we pray that tourists would not be engaging in the services of traffickers. We pray over the poor in Maldives and ask that you God would secure justice for the poor and uphold the cause of the needy. We pray for an increase in jobs and for the provision of food, water, shelter, education, and clothing for those in need.**      

-Jesus, we lift up the trafficking crisis in Maldives. We pray for the freedom of the women, men, and children enslaved in forced labor and sex trafficking. We pray for conviction of the Holy Spirit to pierce the hearts of human traffickers and that they would repent from their sins and seek out a lifestyle in you Jesus. We lift up the victims and pray for an infilling of your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.*** We pray for emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical healing over these individuals. We pray for the opportunity to be reunified with their families and we ask that they would all receive salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

Image Credit: Ishan @seefromthesky

[1] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[2] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[3] Voice of the Martyrs, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[4] Voice of the Martyrs, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[5] Cia World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Galatians 5:22-23, (1984), Joel 2:28 (2011).

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of 2 Corinthians 10:5 (2011), Psalm 140:12, (2011).

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