Christians in Oman are asking us to pray for:
Since 1744, Oman has been ruled by the Al Busaidi dynasty with little contact with the outside world until Sultan Qaboos bin Said seized power from his father in 1970 and started a revolution of modernization and reform. The standard of living improved dramatically due to the discovery of oil. Omanis highly respect their Sultan and have enjoyed peace and prosperity under his leadership.
Technology has vastly changed the lifestyles of Omanis, the majority of whom were without electricity prior to the 1970’s. Smartphones, the internet, and social media command a great deal of the time of young and older Omanis. Oman’s population has doubled in the past 25 years and around 50% of the population is under 16 years of age. Traditional family structures are also changing. There is an increase in divorces and later marriages for women. However, to retain a traditional lifestyle, many Omanis commute to the cities for work and raise their families in the villages.
Pride, diversity, and rapid development describe the country of Oman. The people love the modernization that is re-defining their lives, yet at the same time, cling to traditional values and customs. The conservative and traditional nature of Oman’s Islamic society, combined with material comfort, result in much resistance to the Gospel. However, God’s Spirit is moving in this land to draw Omanis into a saving relationship with Him, and thus the number of Omani believers is growing.