Pray for Seychelles
A palm forest on Praslin, home of the coco de mer, a World Heritage Site.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Seychelles
The capital is Victoria. People speak Seychellois Creole, English and French. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Seychelles
Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
Seychelles marked 50 years of independence on 29 June 2026. The war in the Middle East cut tourist arrivals sharply from March to June, and the IMF reported in late September that a recovery has begun. In July the President signed an agreement with La Reunion to fight drug trafficking, a growing concern across the Indian Ocean.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Seychelles is a republic led by a President. Patrick Herminie of United Seychelles won the 2025 election in a run-off against Wavel Ramkalawan and was sworn in on 26 October 2025. The Vice President is Sebastien Pillay. The President has spoken of reducing inequality and of a cabinet with equal numbers of women and men.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The economy grew about 6% in 2025, but the IMF expects growth of only about 1% in 2026 because of the fall in tourism. Inflation has stayed low, about 1%, partly because state companies have held down prices, which has strained their finances. The rupee has been steady and reserves cover about four months of imports.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Seychelles is a small island nation of nearly 100,000 people. Heroin addiction is a deep wound: a 2025 report estimated that about one in ten residents is addicted, among the highest rates in the world. Treatment services are stretched, and many families carry the pain.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About three in four Seychellois are Roman Catholic and about one in sixteen Anglican, with Hindus, Muslims, Baha'is and others also present. These census figures are from 2010. Christians are found across the islands, in Catholic and Anglican parishes and in Baptist, Adventist, Pentecostal and other churches.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution protects freedom of religion, including the right to change faith, and forbids a state religion. Religious groups must register, and they cannot hold their own radio or television licences. The US State Department reports no significant societal actions affecting religious freedom, and an interfaith council meets with the government.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
Seychelles became independent from Britain in 1976. In June 1977 President James Mancham was overthrown in a coup, and from 1979 to 1991 the country was a one-party state, and the government of that time is accused of torture, disappearances and political killings. Multiparty elections returned in 1993. A Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission heard hundreds of complaints and handed in its final report in 2023.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Seychelles. Restore the jobs and incomes of families hit by the fall in tourism, and protect the nation from drug trafficking. Give President Herminie, Vice President Pillay and all leaders wisdom, integrity and justice. Provide for every household and give honest stewardship of the nation's resources. Bring freedom and healing to those caught in addiction, and comfort and strength to their families. Draw every heart in these islands to the living hope of Jesus, and keep every believer free to worship safely. Heal the wounds of the coup and the one-party years, and lead Seychelles in forgiveness and unity. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Patrick Herminie
- IMF: staff concludes mission to Seychelles (Sept 2026)
- State House Seychelles: President's 50th Independence address (June 2026)
- Outremers 360: President Herminie visits La Reunion, drug trafficking agreement (July 2026)
- Africa Defense Forum: Seychelles fights trafficking and addiction (Feb 2025)
- US State Department: 2020 Report on International Religious Freedom, Seychelles
- CSVR African Transitional Justice Hub: Seychelles
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Seychelles and pray along.
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