Pray for Cyprus
A sea rock on the south-west coast of Cyprus, near Paphos.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Cyprus
The capital is Nicosia. People speak Greek and Turkish. Christianity and Islam are the two main faiths.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Cyprus
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 30 October the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General, María Ángela Holguín, met President Christodoulides and said the UN would keep pushing for progress. She was hopeful about an informal five-party meeting before the end of 2026. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said his side would keep working toward a solution in close cooperation with Turkey. In August a ferry capsized off the northern coast, and at least eight people died.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
President Nikos Christodoulides leads the Republic of Cyprus, and Tufan Erhurman is the Turkish Cypriot leader. On 13 October the two leaders met in the buffer zone with a UN official present, in what the UN called a positive atmosphere. They agreed to attend joint events and committees together and planned to meet again, though they still differ on what the talks should cover.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
Tourism is central to the economy. About 4.5 million tourists visited Cyprus in 2025, about 12% more than in 2024, and tourism income rose to about 3.7 billion euros. The United Kingdom, Israel and Poland were the largest sources of visitors.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Cyprus is home to Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, separated by a UN patrolled buffer zone. Families on both sides still seek news of the missing: about 1,510 Greek Cypriots and 492 Turkish Cypriots went missing, and about half of all the missing have been found and returned to their families. The two leaders have agreed to support joint committees on cultural heritage and on youth.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
In the government controlled area about 89% of people are Orthodox Christian, with smaller Catholic, Protestant, Maronite, Armenian and Muslim communities, according to the 2011 census. In the north, sociologists estimate that as much as 97% of the population is Sunni Muslim. The Orthodox Church of Cyprus has a special place in the constitution.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
People are generally free to practise their faith, but the division affects worship. The US State Department reported that 72 religious sites in the north could not be reached, and that worship services there need permission, with 128 of 185 requests approved in 2023. In the government controlled area, the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque is not regularly open for all five daily prayers.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
The communities of Cyprus went through fighting in the 1960s. In 1974 a coup that sought union with Greece was followed by a Turkish military operation, and since then the northern third of the island has been administered by Turkish Cypriots. The north declared itself a state in 1983, recognised only by Turkey, and talks with the help of the United Nations continue.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Cyprus. Comfort the families who lost loved ones when the ferry sank, and keep the island safe from war in the region. Give wisdom, patience and integrity to President Christodoulides, to Mr Erhurman and to all who lead. Provide for every family, and give honest stewardship to those who manage the economy. Bring reconciliation between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, and comfort every family still waiting for news of the missing. Let the hope of Jesus shine in every heart, and keep every believer free to worship. Heal the wounds of division and loss, and lead all the people of Cyprus in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Euronews: UN envoy pushes for renewed Cyprus talks before end of 2026 (Oct 2026)
- AP via AJC: at least 8 dead after ferry capsizes off northern Cyprus (Aug 2026)
- Cyprus Mail: Christodoulides and Erhurman meet, agree joint events (Oct 2026)
- Politis: Cyprus tourism in 2025 (2026)
- US State Department: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Cyprus (2024)
- AP: divided Cyprus leaders appeal for information on the missing (July 2023)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Cyprus and pray along.
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