Pray for Uruguay

Uruguay hosted and won the first ever FIFA World Cup in 1930. Uruguayans often spend their days playing soccer, drinking yerba mate, and eating asado (grilled beef). Uruguay has one of the longest carnival celebrations in the world, lasting from late January to early February and sometimes into March. Celebrations include Candombe (an Afro-Uruguayan style of drumming and dance), musical theater groups, and colorful costumes. Many Uruguayans have Spanish and Italian ancestry, and the nation is full of Italian-style homes and buildings. This nation has one of the highest standards of living in Latin America and a high literacy rate. Uruguay’s political stability has given it the nickname “the Switzerland of South America,” and its stability was only interrupted by a period of military dictatorship from 1973–1985. Today, the nation maintains both a stable economy and democracy.

Though the nation’s poverty rates are low, Afro-Uruguayan communities have poverty rates  that are twice as high as the rest of the nation. They are also more likely to have less access to education and employment. Despite a high standard of living, Uruguay has one of the highest rates of depression and suicide mortality in Latin America. Inadequate access to mental health services leaves many without the support they need. Although Uruguay has strong protections for freedom of expression, journalists and media organizations have raised concerns about increasing threats and harassment. Prison systems are overcrowded, leading to inhumane living conditions.

Almost 90 percent of people in Uruguay identify as Christian, but Uruguay is one of the most secular societies in South America. Although Roman Catholicism is the largest religious tradition, regular church attendance is low, and there is a large population of atheists, agnostics, and unreligious people. A small minority practices Afro-spiritism to seek healing and guidance from spirits through worship and offerings. The nation values its secular mindset and has even been known to refer to Holy Week as “Tourism Week” and Christmas as “Family Day.” But God is still moving in Uruguay. Whereas evangelistic work in the nation has been slow in the past, it is now gaining momentum as churches and ministries focus on the spiritual needs of the people that only Jesus Christ can satisfy. Pray for the people of Uruguay to seek and find Christ.