Pray for Iceland

About Iceland

The capital is Reykjavik. People speak Icelandic. The largest faith is Christianity.

Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.

Prayer briefing for Iceland

Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.

Current events

On 29 August 2026 Icelanders voted in a referendum on resuming talks to join the European Union, and the "no" side won by 52.8% to 47.2%. The Prime Minister said EU membership will not return to the political agenda during her term, and ties through the European Economic Area will remain unchanged. On the Reykjanes peninsula, repeated eruptions since late 2023 have forced the people of Grindavík from their homes, and most have now moved away.

We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.

Leadership and politics

Iceland is a parliamentary republic. The President is Halla Tómasdóttir, in office since August 2024, and the Prime Minister is Kristrún Frostadóttir. Her government says the question of EU membership will not return during its term, which ends in 2028, and has left it to Parliament to decide whether to withdraw the old application.

We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.

Economic health

The government presented its first balanced budget in nearly a decade, and it says real wages have risen since 2024. Yet inflation was about 5.6% in September 2026 and interest rates are high, and the Prime Minister has said the housing market is "still broken". Fishing remains central to the economy, and about 90% of fishing companies opposed joining the EU.

We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.

Social and cultural issues

Iceland is a small nation of close communities. Families from Grindavík, a town of about 4,000 people before the eruptions, have had to rebuild their lives elsewhere. The government plans to review residence permits and deportation rules, to overhaul child protection, and to pass a bill to compensate people who were harmed in state care as children.

We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.

Spiritual landscape

About 59% of Icelanders belong to the Evangelical Lutheran national church, according to Statistics Iceland in the US State Department 2023 report. The Catholic Church has about 4%, the Free Lutheran churches about 4.5%, and about 8% belong to no religious group. Trust in the national church has fallen to about 27%. There are about 3,000 Muslims and a small Jewish community.

We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.

Religious freedom

The constitution guarantees freedom of belief and worship and makes the Evangelical Lutheran Church the national church, supported by the state. Other registered groups receive church tax from their members and can hold legally recognised marriages. Jewish leaders report occasional antisemitic incidents, and some Muslims say doctors refuse circumcision for religious reasons. On the whole, people of all faiths worship freely.

We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.

Historical wounds

Iceland became a republic in 1944, when a president took the place of the king. The financial crisis around 2008 and 2009 caused deep hardship and led Iceland to apply to join the EU, an application that has divided the nation since. Many also carry the pain of children harmed in state care in years past.

We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.

Let us pray together

Our Father, we come to You together for Iceland. Comfort the families of Grindavík and keep every home safe from fire and earthquake. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to President Halla Tómasdóttir, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and all who lead. Bring down the cost of living and provide homes for young families. Protect children and the vulnerable, and make the nation one after a divided vote. Awaken hearts across Iceland to the hope of Jesus. Keep all believers free to worship safely. Heal those harmed in the past and lead the nation in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sources

More ways to pray

PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Iceland and pray along.

Watch the PrayerCast video for Iceland

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