Oman

Christians in Oman are asking us to pray for:

Many Omanis are influenced by globalization. Pray that their experience outside of traditional Omani life will bring them to the Cross of Christ as they look for answers beyond the borders of their land. Social media is of great influence in Oman. Pray that this media will be a means for Omanis to be exposed to the truth of Christ.
The fear of evil spirits is a reality to many Omanis. They often carry out practices to appease the spirits. Pray that God would release them from fear and reveal Himself to them in dreams or visions. Bahla, Oman is the center of black magic in the country. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reign in Bahla!
Hundreds of Omanis study abroad. Many also go outside the country for medical care. Pray that Christians in these countries will reach out to them with hospitality, care, and love in Jesus’ Name. Omani international students have already come to Christ in these countries. And a few Omani university students in Oman have given their lives to Christ through the witness of young adult believers in Oman.
Important decisions are made collectively as families, clans, and tribes. Pray that whole families will believe the Gospel. Pray that God’s church will be firmly established in Oman and that nothing will prevail against it.
Many areas of Oman are almost completely untouched with the Gospel message. Pray that God would call believers to these unreached areas. The good news is that some of these unreached areas are slowly being populated with believers, but many more are needed!
Pray for Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. In 2020 he succeeded Sultan Qaboos who was dearly loved by his people and had ruled Oman for 49 years. Pray that Sultan Haitham would rule with justice, righteousness, and wisdom.
Pray for the people of Oman, that God would take out the hearts of stone and give them new hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19). Pray that the Spirit would cause them to walk in His statutes (Ezekiel 36:27). Pray that God would show Himself through signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will (Hebrews 2:4). Pray that He would open their hearts so that they will believe the Gospel (Acts 16:14).

Join us and thousands of other believers from around the world November 18th for prayer for Oman National Day.

Oman Country Information

Religion: Islam, Nearly 80% are from the Ibadi sect of Islam, with most of the remainder being Sunni and a small minority of Shiite.

Believers from a Muslim Background: Omani believers are few, however an increasing number of Omanis are following Jesus. These are not large numbers, but more in the last few years than in recent history.

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.