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 June 2024

Sampie Brown on June 28, 2024

Prayer Points and verse for the month:

Prayers points:

  • The increase in home prices is continuing for both renters and buyers with no relief expected in the near term. They are saying it is due to several different factors. One of the largest of those is the lack of available housing. Others are the recent laws that were passed, apartments for tourists and for Donostia and its growing popularity.
    • Pray for people as they look for housing, the builders and leaders as they look for solutions
  • For the upcoming school year the trade schools (formación profesional), are seeing a significant increase in students registering. The number of employers who will support the program is also increasing. They are seeing this as beneficial as the labor market has shortages across several areas: factory mechanics, business admin and accounting, electricity and several other areas.
    • Praise that the trade school system is seeing an increase and for the collaboration with business to meet the needs. Pray for the students and teachers as they begin these programs.
  • The population in Basque Country with a university degree is the 4th highest percentage in all of Spain. Additionally the number of Basque Students that choose to continue studies in University is also 4th. This comes as Basque Students complete the exam for entering the university system at the beginning of June.
    • Praise for the high number of University Educated people living here and prayer for students as the look to make a decision about their education.
  • The European Parliament elections were held June 6-9. The results in Basque Country compared with 2019 saw PNV support drop and EH Bildu along with PSE-PP seeing an increase. For all of Spain, the PP party gained 9 seats and PSOE (PSE-PP)  dropped 1. Overall the PP party has a 2 seat advantage (22-20). The next largest party is VOX (far right) with 6 seats. The right wing parties did make some advancements, though not enough to have a majority.
    • Pray as these newly elected officials meet to form coalitions that will govern the EU for the upcoming 5 years.
  • Absenteeism is a growing concern for Basque businesses. Over the last ten years the number of days that workers are absent has doubled to be 22 days in 2023. Two listed causes were longer wait times to be seen by the health care system and mental health issues. The concerns for this increase are being voiced by business and political leaders.
    • Pray for workers, business and political leaders as they look for solutions on decreasing the number of days workers need to be absent.

The verse for the week:

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬