Home AWIM - A World in Motion 5 REASONS TO PRAY FOR ETHIOPIA AND STAND IN THE GAP

5 REASONS TO PRAY FOR ETHIOPIA AND STAND IN THE GAP

File Image: REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri – Tiumto Gebresillasie, 50, displaced due to the fighting between Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) forces and Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) allied with Amhara Special Forces, sits in front of her shelter at the Abi Adi camp for the Internally Displaced Persons in Abi Adi, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, June 24, 2023.

By Gigi Kotze

17/10/2024

Ethiopia is a land of stunning natural beauty, abundant resources, and rich cultural heritage. It is also one of the world’s oldest nations. Nestled in the Horn of Africa, it is the largest and most populous country in the region. After Eritrea, its former coastal province, became independent in 1993, Ethiopia became landlocked. Currently, Ethiopia and its people face many struggles and are in desperate need of prayer and intercession—someone to stand in the gap for them. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Ethiopia’s Humanitarian & Refugee Crisis

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organisation that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Ethiopia ranks 9th on its 2024 Emergency Watchlist, which assesses the top 20 countries at greatest risk of new humanitarian emergencies each year. Ethiopia continues to face one of the worst droughts in recent history, with millions suffering from acute hunger. According to the government and humanitarian agencies, over ten million people need assistance.

Ethiopia is home to more than 823,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from conflict-stricken South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea. The country also has 4.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and more than 1.5 million IDP returnees, mostly due to the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia and local tensions in various areas. The Pretoria peace deal, which took place in 2022, aimed to end the Tigray war and included plans for displaced people to return to their homes. However, about 1.5 million refugees are still waiting in camps. While the ceasefire between the government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) remains in place in northern Ethiopia, other conflicts and regional instabilities continue, forcing more people to flee. For those living in the camps, daily life is a struggle for survival, with resources severely lacking. 

Despite these challenges, the World Food Programme (WFP) reached 90% of its target in Ethiopia, though funding gaps left 4.6 million people in need, with only 1.3 million receiving aid. Eight humanitarian workers have been killed this year, with six deaths in Amhara, one in Tigray, and one in Gambela, and dozens of people have been abducted. Police in Ethiopia also reported a rise in abductions in conflict regions, with the Amhara regional police spokesperson stating that 287 cases were recorded in the Ethiopian year 2016, which ended on 11 September, as Ethiopia follows a different calendar. 

Please join us in prayer:

  • Pray for aid to reach those in need and for the displaced to be able to return home—may God intervene where human efforts fall short.
  • Pray for Ethiopia’s leadership to make decisions that reflect care for the vulnerable, and for the Church in Ethiopia to be a source of practical help and spiritual hope.
  • Pray for those who have lost loved ones to abductions and for the safe return of those who have been abducted.

2. Ethiopia’s Scars from Civil Conflict

An INcontext contact reported, “There are historical challenges in Ethiopia of severe poverty, which have improved drastically in the past two decades but remain a concern. There are also issues of ethnic tensions between major people groups in various regions of Ethiopia that periodically surface and are often reported in international news.”

In early October, Ethiopia’s army launched a major operation against Fano rebel groups in the Amhara region, located in the north of the country. The conflict continues despite calls for peace from human rights groups and international partners. Ethiopian army spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane said the military, working with regional forces, launched the operation against rebel groups, stating that peace talks had failed and that force is now the only option, with actions also being taken against suspected supporters.

From 3 November 2020 to 3 November 2022, Ethiopia faced another internal conflict that scarred its people—the Tigray War. In November 2022, Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray authorities reached a ceasefire during peace talks in South Africa, bringing an end to two years of devastating bloodshed that claimed thousands of lives. Another contact shared that, for them, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed—a professing Christian—was at the forefront of this conflict. His initial rise to power was marked by widespread hope and optimism, but over time, ongoing conflicts, a stagnating economy, and rising inflation have led many to question his leadership. The contact went on to say, “My only concern is a final resolution to the cycles of war, and I can’t believe people are still considering war as a remedy, with the killing of their own people.” They also shared that they personally heard of Christians joining rebel groups and of people being kidnapped while Christian music played in the background.

While government and military efforts may aim to restore stability, they often fall short of our expectations or fail to fulfil their role. True and lasting peace, however, can only be achieved through genuine reconciliation, wholehearted forgiveness, repentance, and the pursuit of godly justice—never vengeance.

Please join us in prayer:

  • Pray for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to grow in his relationship with Jesus and to lead Ethiopia with godly wisdom.
  • Pray for peace to prevail in Ethiopia, especially in the Amhara and Tigray regions, where conflict has left deep scars.
  • Pray for forgiveness to reign in the hearts of all affected by the ongoing conflict and for healing for those who have experienced trauma.
  • Pray that hearts hardened by violence would be softened by the grace of Christ, and that both the government and rebel groups would seek peaceful resolutions.

3. Ethiopia’s Conflict with Somalia

Tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia have been on the rise since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland. Somaliland is a region in Somalia that considers itself independent. On 1 January 2024, the agreement was signed and has caused disagreements because Somalia does not recognise Somaliland as a separate country. The agreement grants Ethiopia sea access through Somaliland and the right to establish a military base, fuelling regional disputes. The UN Secretary-General has urged both nations to seek a diplomatic solution within the framework of international law. 

Conflict between these two countries is not new; the Ogaden War (1977–1978) was the most significant conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, with Somalia invading Ethiopia to claim the region, which was home to a large Somali population. In more recent years, there have been border clashes, often involving ethnic Somali communities living in Ogaden. These conflicts are primarily about political disagreements and military tensions—most of the tensions revolve around security and control of land, especially along the border and in areas like Somaliland. In the face of these disputes, we are reminded of God’s sovereignty over all nations (Psalm 22:28) and His profound love for every person made in His image, whether they be Ethiopian or Somalian.

Please join us in prayer:

  • Pray for leaders in Ethiopia and Somalia to have wisdom, to seek peace rather than conflict, and to govern with justice and compassion.
  • Pray for de-escalation of tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia.
  • Pray that God would heal the deep-rooted issues of these conflicts so that forgiveness and true reconciliation can reign between these two nations.

4. Ethiopia’s Physical & Bible Poverty

In August, due to foreign exchange rate reforms, the Ethiopian birr lost 60% of its value against the dollar, causing anxiety as prices for basic goods soared. Some businesspeople started hoarding, and supermarkets in Addis Ababa are limiting product sales to avoid penalties from city officials, who are cracking down on hoarding. Shoppers looking to buy in bulk face inflated prices and must collect goods from warehouses. The new policy allowing commercial banks and non-bank entities to set exchange rates has ended decades of government control over currency prices, reducing the black market. Despite efforts, such as importing 14 million litres of edible oil, rising costs for other essential items continue to burden consumers. As prices rise and hoarding intensifies, many are left struggling to meet basic needs. As Christians, we are encouraged not to trust in material wealth but in God’s faithfulness. It is essential to ask God to guide Ethiopia’s government with wisdom and empathy, enabling it to prioritise policies that address the immediate needs of those suffering from poverty, hunger, and displacement.

While our hearts should ache for the physical poverty in Ethiopia, they should break even more for those who have never heard the Gospel or who have never had their own Bible in their own language—a kind of spiritual poverty. The Guji people are a minority group in Ethiopia, with around 5 million speakers of the Guji language. Approximately 70% of them identify as Christians. However, without a Bible in their heart language, their beliefs have been deeply influenced by traditional and ancestral religions.  In the early 20th century, Clifford Michell, a missionary with the Sudan Interior Mission, was accepted to serve in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). He began translating God’s Word for the Guji people but was martyred for his faith in 1936. He died with one of the Gospels he had translated in his hands, and sadly, the Guji Bible translation was halted.

In 1998, The Word for the World started training translators from several languages in southern Ethiopia. Their vision is “the glory of God through transformed lives by the power of His Word in everyone’s heart language.” The Guji-speaking community longed for the Bible in their language, so they selected a few Guji speakers to attend the first Diploma in Bible Translation event in Addis Ababa. The New Testament translation began in 1998 and was dedicated in 2008, marking the first time the Guji people received part of the Word of God in their language. In June 2024, they hosted major celebrations and a dedication to welcome the complete Bible. Two INcontext board members attended the Bible dedication. It was a great time of celebration for the Guji people. In response to receiving the Bibles, a local said, “It is important. It can heal us. It can transform our lives. Now we can read and fully understand the message of the Word of God.” Another local added, “God is not going away with someone this time. God’s not leaving with a Bible or getting in a car or plane and leaving. God is staying behind with us. God is now truly Emmanuel.”

When the truck carrying the Guji Bibles arrived in the region, crowds of Guji people gathered on horses and motorbikes to celebrate. However, tragedy struck when three young men celebrating the arrival were killed in a collision with a passing truck. A week later, at the dedication ceremony, the father of one of the young men shared his heart: “There is sadness at the gate of my home, but I am filled with joy because we now have the Bible in our own language. Like Simon who saw baby Jesus at the temple, I am ready to be released from this life. I’m not asking to be released from life, but the joy this brings outweighs the grief of my loss. I would like to give you this assignment: take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Spread this Gospel that is in our own language.”

This people group no longer faces ‘Bible poverty’ and now has the very Word of God in their own language.

Please join us in prayer:

  • Pray for the physical poverty that plagues Ethiopia and for those in government to prioritise policies that address the immediate needs of those suffering.
  • Pray for the Guji people as they grow in their faith through reading the Bible in their own language. Ask God to raise them up for mission work across Ethiopia and neighbouring nations.
  • Pray for those who do not have the Bible in their own language, and ask God to raise up faithful individuals to undertake the vital task of Bible translation.

5. Ethiopia’s Spiritual Landscape

The Church in Ethiopia has a vital role to play, even though evangelical Christians make up only 17.98% of the population, while Christianity accounts for 58.4% of the country’s total population. With a population of around 129 million, 28.9% are still considered ‘unreached’ with the Gospel, highlighting the ongoing need for outreach and discipleship in this diverse context. Christianity first came to Ethiopia in the 4th century, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) is one of the world’s oldest Christian bodies, with most Christians belonging to the EOC. Christianity has played a key role in the country’s culture and politics and was the official religion until the monarchy fell in 1974. According to Open Doors, the freedom Christians have in Ethiopia depends on where they live and their type of Christian faith. 

The EOC has sometimes persecuted Christians who leave to join other denominations. Ethiopia also ranks number 32 on their World Watch List, which measures levels of Christian persecution. 

Despite this, an INcontext contact shared, “Although I am not directly involved in Ethiopia anymore, I know that the Church is growing rapidly and there is a great hunger for Scripture.”

Islam makes up 25.6% of Ethiopia’s population and arrived in the 7th century. Most persecution occurs in Muslim-majority areas. Converts to Christianity often face social rejection, attacks on churches, and pressure or violence from their families and communities to return to Islam. Ethiopia is often seen as “an island of Christianity in a sea of Islam” because it is surrounded by predominantly Muslim countries. Some highlanders worry that growing fundamentalist Muslim movements in the region could increase calls for a stronger role of Islam in Ethiopia. A small number of Ethiopians are animists and worship various African deities.

The local Church in Ethiopia has an incredible opportunity to bring spiritual hope to those who are weary and broken-hearted. In a time of widespread uncertainty and despair, the message of Christ’s love, redemption, and hope has the power to truly transform lives. The Church has the privilege of being a unifying force, promoting reconciliation among different ethnic groups and fostering harmony. They can bridge ethnic divides and unite people under the Kingdom of God’s love and truth. At the same time, the global Body of Christ has a chance to support the local Church in Ethiopia, which is facing persecution and the same economic struggles as the rest of the country. By coming alongside them, we can help strengthen their efforts and encourage them in their mission to serve their communities and share the Gospel. Ezekiel 22:30 (NIV) says, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” May we be found standing in the gap on behalf of the land of Ethiopia so that her spiritual walls can be built.

Please join us in prayer:

  • Pray for faith and resilience for the Ethiopian Church as they face opposition—and for God’s protection.
  • Pray that the Ethiopian Church would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to mobilise resources and engage in community outreach, meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of communities.
  • Pray that God will unite the global Body of Christ in coming alongside the local Church in Ethiopia, providing encouragement, resources, and empowering them in their mission to serve their communities and share the Gospel.

References:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/conflict-in-ethiopia-eases-but-millions-there-still-face-risk-of-starvation

https://www.france24.com/en/video/20240621-beg-to-survive-the-tigray-war-refugees-still-languishing-in-camps

https://www.rescue.org/article/crisis-ethiopia-what-you-need-know-and-how-help#:~:text=Tensions%20with%20neighboring%20countries%20could,and%20Amhara%20regions%20has%20escalated.

https://www.rescue.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/CS2401_Report_Watchlist_Final_30MB.pdf

https://www.unhcr.org/africa/countries/ethiopia

https://www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia/Relief

https://joshuaproject.net/countries/et

https://www.opendoors.org.za/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/ethiopia/

https://www.britannica.com/place/Ethiopia/Religion

https://www.un.org/africarenewal/news/drought-ethiopia-10-million-people-need#:~:text=Ethiopia%20is%20in%20the%20grip,the%20Government%20and%20humanitarian%20agencies.

https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopian-military-boosts-operations-in-amhara-region/7809375.html

https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-currency-reforms-inflation-f686feda6e1ca9fcbb9edc11d61e9dce

https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-s-security-dilemma-ethiopia-tensions-dominate-discussions-on-au-peacekeeping/7811115.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYnU851SPcU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUkYYsiEXlg

https://www.twftw.org/

https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00090574.html