The Berbers of North Africa
The Berbers of North Africa are the original inhabitants of the land. They call themselves the Amazigh, which means ‘free men’. Many were once Christian. St.Augustine of Hippo was Berber.
Pray that Augustine’s prayer would be prayed by many Berbers: “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee.” (Psalm 62:5 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God”)
Population: 25-36 million
Location and Background: Berbers are found throughout North Africa with large populations in the mountain and rural areas of Morocco and Algeria. There are also 2 million residing in France. Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa, dating back thousands of years.
Culture: The Berbers are traditionally farmers and herders, nomads and traders. They make the famous Berber carpets. The nomadic Tuaregs of the Sahara Desert are Berbers.
Religion: Islam, with traces of former religious practices.
Latest Prayer Updates:
Eating or fasting in faith
Ask for courage as new believers go through their first Ramadan. Many are afraid to tell their families of their faith. Some willfully choose not to fast Ramadan because it is such a huge part of the Muslim identity… yet they want to ‘appear to be fasting’ because they are afraid. Pray for hearts of truth that know when and how to speak with others. (Four previously secret believers found each other thru not fasting Ramadan!) Ask that any eating will be from true faith (not indulgence while feeling guilty). Ask that any fasting will be from true faith (not hypocritical identification with Islam).
