Basque Country Prayer Points for December 2025

Sampie Brown on January 10, 2026

Prayer Points and verse:

Prayers points:

  • During this holiday season a growing crisis of “unwanted loneliness” in Basque Country was highlighted. They are saying that one in three seniors reported feeling isolated. Many elderly residents face the winter months with little to no social contact, impacting their health and well-being. A comprehensive strategy to support those living in isolation is being considered by the Basque Parliament.
    • Pray for the elderly in the Basque Country who are experiencing loneliness and isolation this Christmas season. Pray for wisdom for local governments and community organizations to implement effective measures that provide connection and care for them.
  • Property prices in the Basque Country continue to surge, with record highs making home access nearly impossible for many. Despite an increase in construction, much of the development remains focused on higher-end projects rather than affordable housing for local families and young people. The mismatch forces them to struggle with housing insecurity or leave their communities entirely as they seek a manageable rental.
    • Pray for those in the Basque Country facing this housing crisis and city planners and developers to prioritize affordable housing initiatives.
  • While general employment is high, youth unemployment in Basque Country remains a significant hurdle for those under 25. Many graduates find themselves in temporary or low-paid roles that do not offer the long-term stability needed to build a future. This lack of secure opportunities continues to drive a “brain drain” as talented young Basques move abroad to find professional security and fair wages.
    • Pray for young Basques who are struggling to find stable employment and a sense of future security. Pray for wisdom for business and educational leaders to collaborate on career paths that are valued and will retain the next generation.
  • The deadline to complete the transfer of administrative powers to the Basque Country was 31st of December 2025. A key negotiation meeting has been postponed to January 2026. In his year-end message, Lehendakari (Leader of the Basque Government)Imanol Pradales warned that “patience is running out” regarding these unfulfilled commitments from Madrid. Finalizing these transfers is considered vital as the Basque Government looks to manage civil services.
    • Pray for a spirit of cooperation and a political breakthrough between national and regional leaders to resolve these delays and that the new powers be stewarded well for the Basque people.
  • Osakidetza (Basque health care system) is ending 2025 by transitioning thousands of staff into permanent roles in an attempt to stabilize the healthcare system. The system is currently struggling under heavy winter pressures due to a high volume of seasonal illness. Filling specialized roles in smaller towns remains a critical hurdle for the healthcare system.
    • Pray for the successful integration of the new healthcare professionals and for the stabilization, along with strength for medical staff during the busy winter season.

The verse for the month:

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:36 NIV

Basque Country Prayer Points for October 2024

Sampie Brown on November 2, 2024

Prayer Points and verse for the month:

Prayers points:

  • While the Basque region has not been impacted by the recent heavy rains, it’s quite an issue for Spain. The number of deaths is over 200 people as of this writing and is increasing every day. The devastation is immense and the mobilization of relief is quite the undertaking given the impacts. The area received a year’s worth of their normal rainfall in less than 8 hours.
    • Pray for those who have been affected by the floods in the Valencia region and the relief efforts throughout Spain.
  • Housing has been a key issue. One issue is the lack of affordable housing. One economic leader has pointed out that if the problem is not addressed, it will be difficult for businesses to attract new workers and the impacts for future economic growth in the region. An option to address the issues is that in some areas they will no longer be issuing permits for tourists only apartments. A program that helps people get into affordable housing had 29,000 applications and approved only 181 of them. Another key data point was the construction of new homes. The current level rose very slightly, 0.5%, compared to a demand of 8.5%.
    • Pray for the leaders, builders and citizens as they look to find solutions for the housing shortages.
  • In July of 2024 a 24 hour center to help victims of sexual violence was opened. Since opening the center has received ~140 different requests in that time. The requests have mainly been phone calls with others coming from WhatsApp, in person and email. This is one of 8 centers currently open and they have plans to have 52 opened by the end of the year.
    • Pray for the people who help the victims, the victims, the aggressors and others who are affected by these actions.
  • The number of people who profess Catholicism as a religion in Gipuzkoa has decreased ~20k since 2019. Currently ~35% of the population would identify as having no religion. An article with those statistics talked about the shortage of catholic priests and the need for more to cover the towns and responsibilities. They also saw that ~7% identify with other religions.
    • Pray for those in Gipuzkoa who are seeking God would find a place to worship
  • The difference in salary between those that have a university degree and those who have completed technical school is getting smaller. In 2013 the difference was ~500€ per month and in 2024 it’s ~300€ of a difference. They also reported that females earned a lower salary in both categories.
    • Pray for business, employees and universities/technical colleges as they prepare for these young people to enter the labor market looking to earn a wage that will support a family.
  • On November 6 the new leader of the Basque Government, Imanol Pradales, will meet with Pedro Sánchez, the current leader of the Spanish government about next steps for becoming an even more autonomous region. The Basque region has already completed the requirements set forth to become more autonomous. They are working through a list of items that still need to be transferred to the Basque region. A few of them are how to handle ports, airports and the social security system.
    • Pray as the leaders of the two governments meet to have wisdom on next steps of the Basque region becoming more autonomous.
  • In Egia, which is an area in Donostia they have had to stop giving out free meals to people due to security concerns. This has raised quite the concern with residents as leaders look for a way to support these people while also ensuring the safety of the citizens.
    • Pray for leaders, social organizations and citizens as they look for a solution to help those less fortunate in Egia.

The verse for the week:

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12 NIV

Basque Country Prayer Points for Week of October 23, 2023

Sampie Brown on October 29, 2023

Prayer Points and verse for the week:

Prayers points:

  • Over the past 10 months the Canary Islands have seen more 28,000 African immigrants. This is the highest number they have ever seen and the support system is having a hard time keeping up. Some of the immigrants are likely to be arriving in Basque Country in the coming weeks. Many are looking to find a better living situation.
    • Pray for the immigrants as they try to start a new life, those who serve them, and the leaders as they look for how to best handle the situation 
  • Experts are sharing the impacts of access to mobile phones is having on young people. One of those impacts is access to pornography. They are seeing that the age for exposure is 10 and under. Some of the impacts they are seeing from pornography is how they relate to each other and expectations. Another impact is language development and the feeling of being isolated.
    • Pray for youth who have access to cellphones, along with parents and leaders as they look on how to best allow access to them
  • The job market in Spain continues to do well, which was not what was expected. They are reporting an employment growth of 3.5% over last year. These are being reported as  record numbers.
    • Praise that the job market is holding strong in Spain and pray that it will continue to do so
  • Spain still has not completed the process to elect a new president. Pedro Sánchez is still trying to work through an agreement with different parties to win an election to remain president. The current path is likely to come with agreement with some of the Catalonia parties by granting amnesty to Puigdemmont, which has strong opposition. The election process needs to be completed by November 27 or new general elections will need to take place in January 2024
    • Pray for the leaders as they work to form the next government
  • Workers in the public sector (teachers, public transportation and others) are making their voices heard through being on strike. The total number of days is 25 days during the months of October, November and December. Some groups have 1-2 days while others have 3-5. A protest for the events in Gaza has also happened.
    • Pray for the workers, those impacted and the leaders as they look to address the situation.

The verse for the week:

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Psalm­ 39:7 ESV