January: West African Muslims 

Who They Are
Many of the West African Muslim Peoples are part of three major clusters: The Fulani (20 million), the Mande (17 million), and the Hausa (30 million). Most of these groups became Muslims in the last five hundred years due to extensive evangelistic efforts by Arab missionaries. Many West African Muslims follow a more mystical branch of Islam known as Sufism. Sufis stress the importance of emotional experience in religious expression, and involve themselves in many rituals that are frowned upon by orthodox Muslims. Many view the Sufis as a syncretism between animism and Islam.

Much of West Africa has fallen into anarchy and civil chaos, resulting in mass migrations, famines and numerous wars. The Fulani and Tuareg are nomadic groups which have proved difficult to reach with the gospel. They are spread out over much of the Sahel and can be found in every country in West Africa.

What God Is Doing
Despite the turmoil in this area of the world, missionaries have faithfully labored for many years. The harvest is beginning to come in, albeit still very small, among the major peoples of West Africa. In the midst of the chaos, God is using his people to be a source of peace and goodwill.

How To Pray:
-Ask God for open doors to preach the gospel in Northern Nigeria where several states have begun to implement a strict Sharia law to forbid conversion.
-Pray for the protection of missionaries working in dangerous and politically unstable areas of West Africa, especially Sierra Leone and Guinea.
-Pray for special strategies to reach nomadic peoples like the Fulani.
-Pray that the African Church would be an effective witness to the Muslim peoples of West Africa, demonstrating the love of Christ.