Slaves freed from the United States founded Liberia in 1847. The divide between those descended from American slaves and those from local African tribes remains a major issue.

Tensions resulted in civil war in 1990 – in which a quarter of a million people died and over a million became refugees abroad. There is now a fragile peace as the country struggles to recover from the devastating effects of war. Half a million Liberians are still displaced, living in other countries.

All of Liberia’s children have been victims of war. Young children were forced to fight, and more than 50,000 lost their lives. Its almost impossible to imagine the trauma suffered and the effect this tragedy will have for their future.

Thank God for an end to the fighting in 1996 and the chance to restore peace.

Pray that the countries leaders can find a way to bring an end to violence and hatred between ethnic groups.

The effects of the war has brought many people to understand how much they need God – soldiers have repented for terrible war crimes and there are over 150 new churches.

Pray that Christians will have the perseverance and wisdom to rebuild what was destroyed or disrupted through war.