Pray for Croatia
A walled old city on the Adriatic coast in southern Croatia.
Photo: Zysko serhii, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Croatia
The capital is Zagreb. People speak Croatian. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Croatia
Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
In August Croatia marked 31 years since Operation Storm in 1995, which it remembers as the decisive victory in its war of independence. On the same days Serbs held memorial services for those who were killed or forced to leave their homes in that operation. Families are also feeling high prices, as energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict push inflation up.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Croatia is a parliamentary republic. The President is Zoran Milanović and the Prime Minister is Andrej Plenković, who leads his third government. It was formed in May 2024 by the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) with the Homeland Movement as its junior partner.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The economy grew about 3.4% in 2025 and is expected to grow about 2.7% in 2026, helped by EU funds and record public investment. Inflation is high, at about 4.6% expected for 2026, which squeezes household budgets. Unemployment is just under 5%, and there are shortages of workers in building and industry.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Most people are Croats, with Serbs as the largest minority and smaller communities including Jews. Memories of the 1990s still divide communities. Reports say Serbian Orthodox churches have been vandalised and hateful posters against Serbs have appeared, while Catholic churches have also been attacked. Reconciliation between neighbours needs ongoing care.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
In the 2021 census about 79% of people said they were Catholic, about 3% Serbian Orthodox and about 1% Muslim, with about 5% saying they had no religion. There is a small Jewish community of about 1,700 people. Orthodox believers are found mainly among ethnic Serbs, and Catholic parishes serve most communities.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution protects freedom of conscience and equality regardless of religion, and religious communities are separate from the state. Agreements with the Holy See fund the Catholic Church and religious education, and 20 other communities have agreements with the state. The US State Department reports some vandalism, threats and online hate against Catholics, Orthodox believers and Jews, which prosecutors have investigated.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
During World War II the Ustasha regime ruled Croatia, and the Jasenovac camp and the Holocaust left deep wounds. The war of the 1990s brought great suffering on all sides: 196 Croatian soldiers and police were killed in Operation Storm alone, and Serbian refugee officials say more than 250,000 Serbs were displaced in 1995 and about 1,700 were killed. Eastern Slavonia was peacefully reintegrated in 1998.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Croatia. Comfort every family that still grieves from the wars, and ease the pressure of rising prices. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to the President, the Prime Minister and all in authority. Provide honest work and fair wages for every household. Heal the divisions between Croats and Serbs, and protect every minority and every vulnerable person. Let the living hope of Jesus be known in every home and parish, and keep every believer free and safe to worship. Lead this nation in forgiveness, so old wounds are healed and old cycles are broken. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- N1: commemorations for victims of Operation Storm in Serbia and Croatia (Aug 2026)
- Croatia Week: Operation Storm 31st anniversary in Knin (Aug 2026)
- European Commission: Croatia spring forecast (May 2026)
- Government of Croatia: parliament votes confidence in new government (May 2024)
- Office of the President of Croatia: announcements (June 2026)
- US State Department: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Croatia
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Croatia and pray along.
Watch the PrayerCast video for Croatia
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