Pray for São Tomé & Príncipe
A tall needle of volcanic rock rising from the forest of São Tomé.
Photo: Philippe Bourachot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About São Tomé & Príncipe
The capital is São Tomé. People speak Portuguese, with Forro, Angolar and Principense creoles. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for São Tomé & Príncipe
Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 27 September the nation voted for a new parliament, local councils and the regional government of Príncipe, with a record abstention of about 63%. The Constitutional Court confirmed that the MLSTP won 24 of 55 seats, the ADI 23, the MCI-PS/PUN coalition 6 and Basta 2, so no party has a majority. On 7 October the ADI and MCI-PS/PUN signed a deal to back a government, while the MLSTP expects its own leader to be named. On 15 October President Vila Nova said he would decide within about 30 days, once the new National Assembly is in place, and would only appoint a government with stable support in parliament.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
São Tomé and Príncipe is a republic where the president has limited powers and the prime minister leads the government. President Carlos Vila Nova won a second term in July 2026 with about 56% of the vote and was sworn in in September. The Prime Minister is Américo Ramos, appointed in January 2025 after the President dismissed the previous government. The President must now choose a prime minister who can win the support of parliament.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The Prime Minister has said the economy grows only about 1% to 2% a year and needs to grow faster. Leaders name inflation, the energy crisis and the water supply among the main needs, and a solar park is planned to cover about half of electricity needs. The nation relies on cocoa and imports much of its food, and poverty remains one of its main challenges.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation of about 200,000 people. Its peoples include the Forros, descendants of those freed from slavery, the Angolares, the Serviçais and Tongas, descended from contract labourers, and Luso-Africans. Portuguese is spoken by almost everyone, along with creoles such as Forro, Angolar and Principense. Families hit by power and water shortages and rising prices are among the most vulnerable.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About 81% of people are Christian, about 13% follow no religion and about 3% follow folk religions, according to 2020 figures. Most Christians are Catholic. Muslims are under 2% of the population and their number has grown through migration from other African countries.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution sets up a secular state and protects freedom of religion and worship. The US State Department reports that religious groups must register, which requires a meeting of at least 500 members, and unregistered groups can be fined. In October 2019 crowds damaged church buildings after a pastor was convicted abroad, and an adolescent died. Religious leaders report good relations between faiths.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
Portuguese sailors reached the uninhabited islands in 1470, and the islands became a hub of the Atlantic slave trade with sugar and later cocoa plantations. Forced labour continued after slavery was abolished in 1876, and in the Batepá Massacre of 1953 several hundred African workers were killed. Independence came on 12 July 1975, followed by one-party rule until 1990, a brief coup in 2003 and a failed coup attempt in 2022.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for São Tomé and Príncipe. In this season after the elections, give peace and patience to the whole nation. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to the President, the parliament and whoever will lead the new government. Provide power, water and daily bread for every family, and grant honest stewardship of all that You have given. Make the peoples of both islands one, and protect the poor and the vulnerable. Let the hope and truth of Your love be known in every home. Keep every believer free to worship in safety and in peace with their neighbours. Heal the deep wounds of slavery, forced labour and the Batepá Massacre, and lead the nation in forgiveness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Rio Times: São Tomé votes on 27 September (Sept 2026)
- Forbes Africa Lusofona: record abstention in legislative elections (Sept 2026)
- RTP: ADI and MCI-PS/PUN sign deal to back next government (Oct 2026)
- Africanews: President Vila Nova sworn in for second term (Sept 2026)
- Wikipedia: São Tomé and Príncipe, people, religion and history (Oct 2026)
- US State Department: 2019 Religious Freedom Report, São Tomé and Príncipe
- Rio Times: President to name a government within 30 days (Oct 2026)
More ways to pray
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