Austria

Population: over 8 million. 

Religion:
Relationship between the state and the Catholic/Reformed Churches is defined by the constitution. Legislation in 1998 enabled evangelical groups (among others) to receive state recognition as religious “entities”; however, the status given falls short of that afforded religious groups, rendering associated benefits unattainable at present. 

Challenges for prayers: 

• Austria, a nation of culture, music, art and beautiful scenery, lies for the most part spiritually empty. While 84% of Austrians believe in God (high for Europe), few have met Jesus personally. Rates of suicide, abortion and alcoholism indicate the great need for spiritual foundations. Pray for the shell of religion in this nation to be filled by the living presence of Christ. 
• The Lutheran and Reformed Churches have been in decline for decades. A year which passes without numerical decrease is seen as a victory. Pray for ABCÖ and PGB, two groups of evangelical pastors and lay leaders seeking to deepen spiritual life and combat theological liberalism within the Lutheran Church. Pray too for a move of the Spirit of God that makes these churches a force for the evangelization of the land. 
• Almost all church growth occurs within evangelical/charismatic churches. Pentecostal churches nearly doubled between 2000 and 2010. Even so, all evangelicals number only 0.5% of the population. Pray for further multiplication of congregations where the Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed and honoured.
• Pastors for the multiplying congregations are a great need. Pray for God to raise up men and women with passion for the Kingdom, for holiness and for people to be won. Pray also for good training programs for leaders. 
• Austria needs more full-time workers. It is possible that more Austrians are serving God outside Austria than inside it. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send more workers, both Austrians and foreign missionaries, to this needy field. 
• Pray for the less reached section of the population: Rural areas; cults and sects; and provinces like Lower Austria and Burgenland in the east, Styria in the southeast and Voralberg and Tyrol in the west  which have fewer evangelicals.
• Foreign immigrants and refugees have flooded into Austria since WWII – fleeing Communism up until 1990, then the Balkan strife, and now increasingly hailing from Asia. Pray that Austrian believers may demonstrate compassion to these strangers in their midst as the Bible commands. The gospel is being shared through Bible Society material and ministries such as Oasis Christian Centre. Pray for fruitfulness. 
• Young people are more open to the gospel than the previous generation, but churches are poorly equipped for effective youth ministry. Pray for the necessary training for the churches and for a spiritual harvest amongst the youth.

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