Bahrain

Biblical History

After the Confusion of Languages at Babel, Shem’s son Arphaxad and his descendants, who still spoke the original language, probably Hebrew or Aramaic, populated most of the Middle East: Israel, Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Nth-Africa Syria, Yemen and Oman. Arabian families moved to, and established today’s Bahrain. Arabs, as the Bible clearly indicates, are a mixture of descendants of 1) Ishmael, Abraham and Hagar’s child, 2) descendants of Abraham’s and Keturah’s 6 children: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah, and 3) descendants of Abraham’s son Isaac and Rebekah who’s twins Esau and Jacob already fought in her womb indicating the bitter struggles between Arabs and Israel.

Genesis 10:22-31 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. ²³And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash. ²⁴And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber. ²⁵And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg; for in his days was the earth divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan. ²⁶And Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, ²⁷And Hadoram, and Uzal, and Diklah, ²⁸And Obal, and Abimael, and Sheba, ²⁹And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan. ³⁰And their dwelling was from Mesha, as thou goest unto Sephar a mount of the east. ³¹These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations.

Intercessory Overview

This small island nation is located in one of the world’s chief oil-producing regions, but it has relatively small petroleum resources. Therefore, its economy has long relied on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. Bahrain has experienced significant religious, political and economic tension, resulting mainly from the Sunni-Shiite division among its Muslim populace and its involvement in the global economy. This unrest, coupled with the faithful witness of indigenous Arab and immigrant Christian workers, has led to a season of openness and some response to the gospel among those indigenous to Bahrain.

Major Religion

Less than 1 percent of native Bahrainis are Christians; nearly all are Muslims. However, Christians among Bahrain’s expatriate workers make up 8 percent of the population.

Persecution

Families and local communities are the main persecutors, but the government occasionally imprisons or harasses a new Christian.

What it means to follow Christ

Christian converts from Islam often lose their jobs and social status, and many are rejected by their families. However, some still gather to worship in secret.

Access to Bibles

Bahrainis have limited access to the Bible through the internet and churches.

Prayers

Pray for Ghaleb, who is ostracized by his family and harassed at work for placing his faith in Christ.
Pray for those who received a strict Muslim education and are now persecuting believers.
Pray that Jesus Christ will be revealed to those persecuting believers.
Pray for the encouragement of women who worship in secret for fear of losing their children and families.
Pray for the success of Scripture distribution efforts to local seekers.
Pray for Michael, who is in hiding from family members trying to harm him

More Prayers

Materialism, stimulated mostly by tourism, deeply affects all levels of society. Lowering standards of morality see a rise in births out of wedlock, drug use and violent crime (especially armed robbery). The staggering wealth of foreign residents and tax shelters display a different world from the average Bahamian, not to mention the even poorer Haitian immigrants. Pray for social righteousness and a government that works to serve all strata of society.
Christian commitment is low and nominalism widespread, despite nearly all Bahamians claiming to be Christian. Few are willing to commit themselves to the Lord’s work, and many congregations are without adequate pastoral care. Most households own a Bible; few actively read it. Pray for revival and for a missionary vision among believers.
There is a growing Haitian Diaspora who are resented by Bahamians. Pray for God to enable the Bahamian Church to minister meaningfully to this needy group in their midst.