Pray for Sweden
The old town of Stockholm, Sweden's capital, on a small island.
Photo: Arild Vågen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Sweden
The capital is Stockholm. People speak Swedish, with Sámi, Finnish and other minority languages. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Sweden
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
Sweden is still without a new government after the election of 13 September, in which the left-leaning bloc won 176 of 349 seats. On 3 November Parliament voted down Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist as Prime Minister, as expected, after rejecting Magdalena Andersson on 15 October. The Speaker says Moderate leader Ulf Kristersson will try next. On 30 September the Truth Commission for the Sámi People gave its final report, with 71 proposals, including a state apology and compensation.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. The King is Carl XVI Gustaf. Ulf Kristersson is the outgoing Prime Minister while the Speaker, Andreas Norlén, leads talks on a new government. Two votes for a Prime Minister have failed, and Kristersson is to be put forward next. If all four attempts fail, a new election must be called.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The European Commission expects growth of about 1.8% in 2026, up from about 1.5% in 2025, and inflation of about 1.5%. Unemployment is high at about 8.5%, only a little lower than about 8.8% in 2025, so many people are still looking for work.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
Gang violence has caused deep fear, though it is falling. In the first half of 2026 there were 39 shootings with 8 deaths, compared with 205 shootings and 34 deaths in the same months of 2022. Police say gangs recruit children through apps, and about 170 children under 15 were suspected of violent crimes from January to July. A government inquiry found about half a million people live in areas where gangs run their own "justice".
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About 53% of Swedes belong to the Church of Sweden, according to the US State Department 2023 report. Muslims were about 8% in a 2016 Pew estimate, mainly in Malmö, Stockholm and Gothenburg. Other Christian groups, such as Catholic, Pentecostal and free churches, are together under 6%, and there is a Jewish community of about 15,000.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution protects freedom of religion and bans religious discrimination. In 2023 public burnings of the Quran led to protests and attacks on Swedish embassies abroad, and the government said free speech laws limited what it could do. After October 2023 Jewish congregations in Gothenburg and Malmö urged members not to wear religious symbols in public. Of 2,834 hate crimes reported, about 8% were anti-Muslim and 4% antisemitic.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
The Sámi people of the north carry painful memories of forced relocations, of children taken from their families to boarding schools, and of their culture and faith being broken down. A separate truth commission from 2020 to 2023 looked at the harsh treatment of Tornedalians, Kvens and Lantalaiset. These wounds are now being named in public.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Sweden. Bring peace and good order as a new government is formed. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to the King, to every party leader and to the one who will lead the nation. Provide work and a fair living for every family, especially the young and newcomers. Protect children from the gangs, comfort every grieving family, and make neighbours one. Awaken many hearts to the hope of Jesus in every city and village. Keep Christians, Jews, Muslims and all believers safe to worship. Heal the wounds of the Sámi and of every minority, and lead Sweden in truth and reconciliation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- The Star (Reuters): Sweden parliament rejects Centre leader as prime minister (Nov 2026)
- Kuwait Times (AP): centre-left leader loses PM vote in parliament (Oct 2026)
- Internazionale (Reuters): centre-left opposition wins election as count completed (Sept 2026)
- JusticeInfo: truth commission demands compensation for the Sámi (Sept 2026)
- European Commission: economic forecast for Sweden (May 2026)
- Malay Mail (AFP): how Sweden is turning the tide on gang violence (Sept 2026)
- US State Department: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Sweden
- Barents Observer: truth commissions test the Nordic ideal (Apr 2026)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Sweden and pray along.
Watch the PrayerCast video for Sweden
It opens on prayercast.com in a new tab. If it does not open the page for Sweden, search for the nation on PrayerCast.
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