Pray for South Sudan
The capital of South Sudan, on the White Nile.
Photo: Jens Klinzing, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About South Sudan
The capital is Juba. People speak English, Arabic, Dinka, Nuer and many other languages. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for South Sudan
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 22 September President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government, the assemblies and the posts of vice president, and set up a caretaker administration to oversee the general election due on 22 December. The day before, he signed changes to the elections law that removed the need for a permanent constitution and a census before the vote. AFP reported that no voters had yet been registered and that the rival armies had still not been unified, as the 2018 peace deal required.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
The President is Salva Kiir, who remains in office through the election period until a newly elected president is sworn in. In September he dissolved the power-sharing government set up under the 2018 peace deal, and changes to the elections law removed all the vice presidents for the election period. Opposition leader Riek Machar, the former First Vice President, is in detention and on trial in Juba with seven others on charges including treason and murder linked to a deadly attack in Nasir in 2025, charges his party calls politically motivated.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world, with income of about 251 US dollars per person in 2025 by IMF estimates. Oil usually provides more than 90% of government revenue, and damage to the export pipeline through Sudan in 2024 hit the economy hard. The World Bank expects a strong rebound in 2026 as oil exports resume, and inflation was about 15% early in 2026.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
South Sudan is the youngest nation in the world, with nearly 14 million people from many peoples, including the Dinka and the Nuer. Tensions between communities have often turned violent, and the civil war took on an ethnic and clan character. Displaced families, women and children face insecurity, a deepening humanitarian crisis and economic hardship.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About 60% of South Sudanese are Christian, about 33% follow indigenous religions and about 6% are Muslim, according to Pew figures for 2020, though displacement makes counting hard. The main churches include Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Pentecostal churches. Churches and other religious bodies are widely seen as a source of stability and help displaced people.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution separates religion and state, forbids religious discrimination and protects the right to worship. The US State Department reports that religious leaders generally speak freely and have good access to officials. Disputes over church property have at times led to attacks on clergy and buildings, with little accountability.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
The people of the south suffered through decades of war with the north before independence on 9 July 2011, when about 98% voted to separate from Sudan. In December 2013 a civil war broke out between forces loyal to Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. By 2018 it had killed about 400,000 people and driven more than 4 million from their homes, before a peace deal was signed that September.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for South Sudan. Stop the fighting, and bring safety, food and care to every displaced family. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to those in authority, and guide the nation through a peaceful and fair election. Provide for every household and let the wealth of the land bless its people. Bring reconciliation between the Dinka, the Nuer and every community, and protect women and children. Let Your hope shine through the churches and in every village. Keep believers safe and free to worship. Heal the wounds of war and break the old cycles of violence, and lead South Sudan in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Africanews (AFP): South Sudan president dissolves government ahead of December poll (Sept 2026)
- AllAfrica (The New Times): Kiir dissolves transitional government (Sept 2026)
- Sudans Post: Machar trial near completion, says Makuei (April 2026)
- Radio Tamazuj: Machar case and path to elections (Sept 2025)
- BusinessDay: South Sudan growth forecast on oil rebound (2026)
- Eye Radio: finance minister on reserves and inflation (Feb 2026)
- US State Department: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, South Sudan
- The Citizen: civil war death toll near 400,000 (Sept 2018)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for South Sudan and pray along.
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