Christianity in Congo-Brazzaville

Christianity in Congo-Brazzaville: The Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville is located in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon to the West, Cameroon to the Northwest, Central African Republic (CAR) to the Northeast, Democratic Republic of Congo to the South, the Angolan enclave of Cabinda, to the Southwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the Southwest.

The capital city is Brazzaville, while the official language is French. The country has a human population of 6,228,784, with multiple ethnicities, including Kongo, Mbochi, Teke, Vili, Lari, Bembe and Bangala. Christianity is the dominant faith at 87%, comprising 46-48% Roman Catholics and 26-28% Protestants. Atheists constitute 8% of the population, traditional African religion, 2.7%; Islam, 1.2% and others, 1%.

Brief History

 Prior to its independence in 1960, the Republic of Congo was part of French Equatorial Guinea (AEF). During World War II, the AEF administration sided with Charles DeGaulle, and Brazzaville became the symbolic capital of Free France from 1940 to 1943. During the Cold War, the country allied with the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc nations.

After the worldwide collapse of communism and Congo’s adoption of multi-party democracy in 1991, its relations with the United States of America improved. America has enthusiastically supported Congolese democratization efforts, contributing aids to the country’s electoral process. The incumbent President is Dennis Sassou Nguesso.

God’s Canvass in Congo-Brazzaville

The natural landscapes in the country range from the savanna plains in the North Niari flooded forests, the Congo River, the rugged mountains and forests of Mayombe, to the 170 kilometres beaches along the Atlantic coasts. Some of the animal and plant species that constitute the fauna and flora of Congo-Brazzaville are presented below.

Fauna

The Republic of Congo is home to a diversity of animal species. There are 400 mammal species, 1,000 bird species and 700 species of fish. The animals include elephants, gorillas, vipers, baboons, Turaco and eel catfish. Some of them are shown below.

Flora

There are over 10,000 species of plants in the country. Some of the common species include coconut palms, walnut, softwood, limba (hardwood, and a wide variety of herbaceous plants. The flora of the Republic of Congo is depicted in the following pictures.

Beaches

Culture

 Precolonial artistic expression emphasized ceremonial music, dance, sculpture, and oral literature. Christianity and colonialism had a great impact on these art forms. The carving of ritual objects became commercialized, and music and dance altered due to the introduction of Western instruments and musical styles.

This led to the emergence of Congolese music or rumba. The genre, which mixes traditional African rhythms and instruments with those borrowed from other cultures, enjoys widespread popularity throughout the continent, as well as around the world. Football (soccer) is equally popular in the country.

Traditional Attire

The traditional clothing of the people of Congo for both men and women is made from Raffia, a material sourced from a particular specie of palm and cotton. The fabric is used to make long skirts, wrappers and head wraps for women, as well as assorted men’s wears.

This can be formal or informal depending on the intricacy of the design. Hats also part of the attire in the country because of the scorching heat. The female headgears equally provide protection from the sun. Some of the traditional attires in the country are presented in the pictures below.

Cuisine

Congolese cuisine incorporates French, Asian and Arabic influences into more starchy, traditional African fare. Local restaurants usually serve chicken, fish, and goat dishes accompanied by some variation of a cassava or maize-based staple. Some notable cuisines of the country are presented below.

Status of Christianity in Congo-Brazzaville

 Most citizens of the country are Christians, though majority of them still practice the indigenous religion, syncretised with Christianity. Others belong to the Kimbangu cult, which originated from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo-Kinshasa). The group retains many Christian elements but promotes ancestral worship. It is no wonder that atheism thrives in the country!

Prayer Points

 Religion, man’s attempt at saving his soul through good works, is undoubtedly strong in Congo-Brazzaville. This is a cause for concern, since religion holds no hope for humanity. God sent His Son to the Cross of Calvary, to deliver us from such foolishness and restore the relationship broken through Adam’s rebellion in the Garden of Eden.

Brothers and sisters, we owe the people of Congo-Brazzaville our compassion and intercession to the Father to deliver them from their delusions. Please pray as the Holy Spirit leads you or use the following prayer points as applicable.

1. Ask the Father to break the influence of demonic principalities and powers operating in the country.
2. Pray that He would destroy their infrastructure and platforms through which they are holding these people in captivity.
3. Pray that God would expose all agents of darkness using the name of Jesus Christ to promote their false religions.
4. Ask the Father to purge all Christians of the pollutions they have received through their interactions with agents of darkness,
5. Pray that God would pour out His Spirit on the nation to bring unsaved people out of darkness into His marvellous light.
6. Ask the Father to remove the veil of darkness from the hearts and minds of all unsaved persons in the country, using their President, Denis Sassou Nguesso as point of contact.
7. Pray that God would unstopped the ears of all unsaved persons in the country, so that they can hear and understand the Gospel of truth.
8. Pray that the Father would sanctify all Christian believers with His word.
9. Ask the Father to send labourers into His harvest in the country.
10.   Pray for the protection of Christian converts, especially in areas dominated by traditionalists and Islamic fundamentalists.

Intercession Checklist

Use the political map of Congo-Brazzaville provided in the text to select a town, city or region for focused prayer. Present the chosen geographical space to the Father and tell Him that you are claiming its people for Christ as His ambassador. The anchor Scriptures are 2 Corinthians 5:20 and Psalm 2:8.

**** Materials sourced from Cultural Life in the Republic of Congo, https://www.britannica.com; Religious Beliefs in the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), https://www.worldatlas.com; Republic of Congo, https://en.wikipedia.org.