February 11, 2018 – Please pray for the Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo, also known as the Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic, West Congo or simply the Congo is located in the central-western part of sub-Saharan Africa, along the Equator in Central Africa. It is bordered by five countries: Gabon and a short coast on the Atlantic Ocean to the west; Cameroon to the northwest; the Central African Republic to the northeast; the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and south; and the Angolan exclave of Cabinda to the southwest.
The capital, Brazzaville, is located on the Congo River, in the south of the country, immediately across from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (These are two different distinct counties. There is confusing information regarding the population of these countries. My research discovered conflicting information. The population of The Republic of the Congo reported to be approximately somewhere between 57 – 67 million and the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is approximately 82 million).
The Republic of the Congo is located on the Equator, the climate is consistent year-round, with the average day temperature a humid 24 °C (75 °F) and nights generally between 16 °C (61 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F). The average yearly rainfall ranges from 43 inches in the Niari Valley in the south to over 79 inches in central parts of the country. The dry season is from June to August, while in the majority of the country the wet season has two rainfall seasons: one in March – May and another in September – November.
The Republic of the Congo’s population is concentrated in the southwestern portion of the country, leaving the vast areas of tropical jungle in the north virtually uninhabited. Thus, Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa, with 70% of its total population living in a few urban areas, namely in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire or one of the small cities or villages lining the 332 mile railway which connects the two cities. In rural areas, industrial and commercial activity has declined rapidly in recent years, leaving rural economies dependent on the government for support and subsistence.
Public education is free and mandatory for under-16-year-olds. However, net primary enrollment rate was 44% in 2005, much less than the 79% in 1991 (These numbers are unconfirmed). Education between ages six and sixteen is compulsory. Pupils who complete six years of primary school and seven years of secondary school obtain a baccalaureate degree.
Christianity is the largest religion in Republic of the Congo. According to CIA World Factbook, the people of the Republic of the Congo are largely a mix of Catholics (33.1%), Lutherans (22.3%) and other Protestants (19.9%). Followers of Islam are 1.6%, and this is primarily due to an influx of foreign workers into the urban centers.
A small minority practice Kimbanguism, a movement that originated in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. While retaining many elements of Christianity, Kimbanguism also recognizes its founder as a prophet and incorporates African traditional beliefs, such as ancestor worship.
The above are from en.wikipedia.org. These statements have not been fact-checked and are only used here to help us gain a better understanding of this nation.
1. Pray for youth of both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (yesterday’s nation for prayer).
2. Pray God will direct missionaries to this nation to demonstrate the love of God and share the Gospel.
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