Pray for Costa Rica
A cone-shaped volcano in northern Costa Rica, surrounded by rainforest.
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Costa Rica
The capital is San José. People speak Spanish. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Costa Rica
Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
Heavy rains from tropical waves in mid August 2026 flooded the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, and on 20 August the government declared a national emergency in nine cantons, including Limón, Talamanca and Turrialba. Indigenous communities in Limón were cut off by land as rivers rose. On 9 October a strong earthquake centred in Panama was also felt in Costa Rica.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Costa Rica is a democratic republic. Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People's Party won the presidential election in the first round on 1 February 2026 with about 48% of the vote. She was sworn in on 8 May 2026 as the second woman to lead the nation, for a term to 2030, with a tough on crime agenda. Her government has also outlined a tax reform.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
Growth slowed to about 2.7% in the second quarter of 2026, the weakest since 2021, and 2026 is expected to be the weakest year in six years. More than 56,000 jobs were lost in the year to the first quarter of 2026, and women were hit hardest. Banana farms in the Atlantic region are closing, affecting about 850 workers.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Crime linked to organised crime and drug trafficking has become a leading concern, especially in Alajuela, Limón, Puntarenas and San José. Women and workers who have lost jobs are under strain. Indigenous communities and families in flood prone areas of the Caribbean side are among the most vulnerable.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
A 2021 University of Costa Rica survey found about 48% Catholic, about 20% evangelical and about 27% with no religion. The share of people with no religion has grown. Evangelical churches are active and visible in public life, as the 2026 election showed.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
Churches meet freely and Christians take an open part in public life. In the 2026 election an evangelical alliance urged believers to vote responsibly and prayerfully, and the new President thanked God in her victory speech.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
After a disputed election in 1948, when the result was annulled, Costa Rica went through a short civil war. On 1 December 1948 José Figueres declared the army abolished, and the 1949 constitution kept the nation without a permanent army. The years of division before and during the war left memories that shaped the nation.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Costa Rica. Bring relief and safety to families hit by floods, and to Indigenous communities cut off by the rains. Give President Laura Fernández and all in authority wisdom, integrity and justice. Provide work for those who have lost jobs, especially women and banana workers. Protect communities from crime and violence, and bring peace to every neighbourhood. Draw many hearts to You, and let the truth of Your love be made known. Keep Your people free to worship and serve with joy. Heal old divisions, and keep Costa Rica a nation of peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Semanario Universidad: national emergency in nine cantons after rains (August 2026)
- Tico Times: Fernández sworn in, jobs and banana farms (May 2026)
- Havana Times: Laura Fernández wins presidential election (February 2026)
- Christian Post: Fernández invokes faith in victory speech (February 2026)
- ECIJA: Costa Rica political tracker, tax reform (July 2026)
- FocusEconomics: growth ebbs in Q2 2026 (July 2026)
- Semanario Universidad: CIEP-UCR survey on religion (2021)
- Americas Quarterly: why Costa Rica abolished its military
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Costa Rica and pray along.
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