After 50 years of separation, the communists fell in East Germany and
 religious freedom returned.  East and West Germany reunited to again form
 one nation.  Unfortunately, these events appear to have done nothing to
 stop the spiritual decay in Germany.  Although many are on the official
 roles of churches, few actually show any interest.
 
 Germany is located in the heart of Europe.  It is the largest and most
 economically powerful nation in Europe.  Due to its size, it shares borders
 with many of the other countries of Europe.  Its beautiful countryside
 contains both mountains and plains.
 
 Nearly 83 million people live in Germany making it the most populous in
 Europe.  Over 90% are native Germanic peoples but there is also a mixture
 of many other people groups.
 
 Germany possesses one of the most powerful economies in the world.  It has
 excellent manufacturing capabilities and a large trade surplus.  The
 continuing effort to bring East Germany up to the standards of the West has
 proven to be far more expensive than anticipated and has been a drain on
 economic growth.
 
 Germany has been a nation for less than 200 years yet has greatly
 influenced history in the last century.  After devastating losses in two
 world wars, a shattered Germany was divided into East and West Germany.
  West Germany recovered nicely, but the East lagged behind under communist
 rule.  The fall of the communists led to the reunification of Germany in
 1990.
 
 There is freedom of religion in Germany but both the Roman Catholic Church
 and the Protestant Established Churches receive government support.  A
 nearly equal number of Germans are Protestant or Roman Catholic.
  Unfortunately, in both cases, a very small percentage actually attend
 church (fewer Protestants attend than Catholics).  These numbers continue
 to fall with each passing year.
 
 Evangelicals account of approximately 3% of the population.  There are many
 good brethren in Germany, and we should thank the Lord for them.  Pray that
 they will have more opportunities to reach people with the gospel.  Over
 half of the people in former East Germany have any links to a church.
 
 Theological education in Germany is at a low point.  For the most part, the
 faculties are strongly liberal and a discredit to the gospel.  Pray for a
 return to strong Biblical teaching.
 
 Pray for German missionaries.  Although Germany's missions vision isn't
 what it has been in the past, several thousand German missionaries serve on
 foreign fields.  Pray for success in their ministries and for continued
 support from home.