Pray for Sierra Leone
The capital of Sierra Leone, on a natural harbour on the Atlantic coast.
Photo: David Hond, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Sierra Leone
The capital is Freetown. People speak English, Krio, Temne, Mende and other languages. The largest faith is Islam.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Sierra Leone
Last updated November 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 20 October the Supreme Court refused the government request to dismiss three cases challenging the constitutional amendment bill, and ordered the main hearing to go ahead, with no date yet set. The challengers say the bill needed a two-thirds vote, while it passed with 96 of 149 votes on 10 August after opposition members walked out. President Bio has not signed it and has asked the court for its opinion. The kush drug crisis still harms many young people.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Sierra Leone is a presidential republic. Julius Maada Bio is President, head of state and of government, and Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh is Vice President. The Supreme Court cases and opinion on the constitutional amendment bill, which would lower the first-round threshold to win the presidency from 55% to 50% plus one vote from the 2028 election, are a key political moment.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
The IMF expects growth to slow to about 4% in 2026 and inflation to rise to about 11.6% by the end of the year, after reforms had steadied prices and the currency. Temporary fuel subsidies were brought in during April. In 2019 about 59% of people lived in multidimensional poverty.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
The largest peoples are the Temne and the Mende, with the Limba, Kono, Fula and many others, and almost everyone speaks Krio. The kush crisis is hurting young people, families and whole communities. Poverty, youth unemployment and weak mental health care are named as drivers, and drug users without homes are among the most vulnerable.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About 77% of people are Muslim, about 22% are Christian and about 2% follow traditional beliefs, according to government estimates in the US State Department report for 2023. Most Christians are Protestant, mainly Methodist and Pentecostal. The Inter-Religious Council brings Christian and Muslim groups together in every district.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution protects freedom of religion, including the freedom to change religion, and bans religious discrimination. Registration of religious groups is not compulsory. The US State Department notes that the Inter-Religious Council works for peaceful coexistence, while hate speech online during elections and some local land disputes have tested religious harmony.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
Freetown was settled in 1792 by Black Loyalists, many of whom had escaped slavery, and the country became independent from Britain in 1961. The civil war from 1991 to 2002 killed about 50,000 people and left deep scars. The Ebola epidemic of 2014 brought a national emergency. In January 2026 the nation held its first National Day of Remembrance for victims of the war.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Sierra Leone. Rescue the young people caught by kush, and bring help and healing to their families. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to President Bio, the judges and all in authority as they decide on the constitution. Provide for every family as prices rise. Bring peace between all peoples and protect the most vulnerable. Let the hope of Jesus be made known in every town and village. Keep Muslims and Christians living in peace, and protect the freedom to worship. Heal the wounds of the civil war, and lead the nation in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- Rio Times: Supreme Court refuses to drop cases on constitutional amendment (Oct 2026)
- Voice of Nigeria: Sierra Leone president refers constitutional amendment to Supreme Court (Sept 2026)
- Sierra Eye Magazine: IMF backs progress but warns of growing pressures (May 2026)
- ManoReporters: the kush crisis in Sierra Leone (July 2026)
- Wikipedia: 2026 in Sierra Leone
- US State Department: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom, Sierra Leone
- Wikipedia: Sierra Leone (history, peoples, poverty)
More ways to pray
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