Pray for Barbados

Stunning views of white, sandy beaches stretched out beside the Caribbean bring hundreds of thousands of tourists to Barbados each year. Beside the beaches lie streets lined with colorful homes and cozy local shops. In these towns live a people famous for their bright hospitality. People there greet visitors with charming smiles and use their sunny personalities to make friends with the quietest guests. They have an infectious love for fun, and they love people even more, regardless of background. Tourism, complemented by business, industry, and banking, has made Barbados one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean.

The nation has recovered far beyond a dark history filled with sugar plantations and slavery, but it is not the paradise it appears to be. While Barbados enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean, many families are struggling with rising living costs, and youth unemployment continues amid economic growth. Though criminal activity in Barbados is low compared to its Caribbean neighbors, officials have noticed growing gang involvement and violence among younger generations. The temptations facing the nation’s youth point to a culture falling from righteous living.

The island is primarily Protestant and Anglican, but passive faith and sinful lifestyles are slipping into some congregations. The Church in Barbados faces spiritual decline as people turn from the Gospel and pursue money and happiness apart from God. Disagreements among spiritual leaders and denominations cause division within the Church, and the mixing of sorcery with Christianity is also common. This nation needs to return to its Christian roots, follow a true understanding of the Gospel, and pursue Jesus.