Basque Country Prayer Points for March 2026

Sampie Brown on April 1, 2026

  • For the first time in 50 years, a Holy Week procession will return to the streets of Donostia. While other areas in Spain hold week-long events, San Sebastián will focus on a single, somber procession on Good Friday.
    • Pray for a deep spiritual impact as the Good Friday procession returns to Donostia after half a century, that it would be a time of reflection and hope.
  • Gas prices in Basque Country have surged by nearly 27% this month following the escalation of the war in the Middle East. This sudden spike has created deep concern for the manufacturing sector in Gipuzkoa, where companies are warning of the impacts of the rising energy costs and likely lower sales.
    • Pray for those feeling the financial pressure of these rising costs. Pray for peace in the Middle East and for wisdom for local business leaders as they navigate this period of global instability.
  • On March 17th, a 24-hour general strike disrupted transport and industry across the region. While the national minimum wage (SMI) was recently set at €17,000/year, Basque unions were striking for a region-specific SMI of €21,000/year to match the higher cost of living. This labor tension, combined with an indefinite doctors’ strike that cancelled thousands of appointments this month, reflects tension in the workforce.
    • Pray for a fair resolution to these labor disputes that address the economic needs and the well-being of workers. Pray also for the patients whose care has been delayed.
  • A significant milestone in Basque self-governance was reached on March 2nd with the official transfer of unemployment protection management from Spain to the Basque Country. This allows the regional government to directly manage social safety nets, which many hope will lead to more localized support for those out of work.
    • Pray for the officials and administrative staff managing this transition. Pray that this new responsibility would be handled with integrity and lead to genuine support to those seeking employment.
  • Newly released data confirms that 165 people took their own lives in the Basque Country over the last year. This statistic, alongside recent reports of sexual assault in schools—including a high-profile trial in Irun—has highlighted a profound need for healing and protection.
  • Pray for the families grieving the loss of those 165 individuals and for those currently struggling with despair. Pray for the protection of children in schools and for justice and healing for survivors of the sexual assault.
  • The final expert report on the 2025 “Great Blackout” was released this month, highlighting the role of the Hernani (small industrial town near San Sebastian/Donostia) power station in stabilizing the grid. It helped absorb a lot of the initial surge from the event and played a pivotal role as they started to bring the grid back online.
    • Pray for the technicians and engineers who maintain the regional infrastructure.

The verse for the month:

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:9 NIV

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 February/March 2025

Sampie Brown on March 31, 2025

Prayer Points and verse:

Prayers points:

  • March 2025 marks 5 years since the start of the pandemic. In Basque Country/Spain the state of alarm went into effect on March 14, 2020. Several pages of the paper walked through various themes from the pandemic discussing the impacts. It included remote work, tele appointments, medical diagnostic requests and the features people are looking for in an apartment now.
    • Pray for all those who are still impacted from COVID.
  • The housing crisis in Donostia was important enough that the paper dedicated several pages to it, which included several different key points. One is only 4500 new homes in the last 16 years, half as many that were constructed in the previous decade. Another being that prices have gone up quickly, rising faster than salaries.
    • Pray for leaders, builders, banks and residents as they look for solutions to the housing issue.
  • The main political parties in Basque Country are going through the process to elect or reelect leadership for their parties. Two of the main parties heard from the party members about the importance for Basque Country to continue down the path of being more independent.
    • Pray for political leaders and those they represent as they recommend legislation for Basque Country at the different levels of government: regional, national and at the EU Parliament.
  • The number of employees who are being let go from their jobs or placed on a leave for a few months is increasing. One of the main reasons that they are seeing this change is due to a decrease in demand for products produced here. These effects are being seen across several of the different production industries that are located in Basque Country.
    • Pray for the workers affected by the change in employment status and the business as look to make decisions based on the current situation
  • The Central European Bank is continuing to look for ways to help support the European economy. With the current Geopolitical tensions they are trying to ensure they do not make changes too fast. Currently the inflation is at ~2.4% and interest rates are also at about 2.4%. They are looking to at least maintain and if possible lower these numbers.
    • Pray for geopolitical stability and for banking, business and political leaders to set policies that help support healthy sustainable economies.

The verse for the month:

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:5

Basque Country Prayer Points for Week of September 4, 2023

Sampie Brown on September 7, 2023

Prayer Points and verse for the week:

Prayers points:

  • The number of cases of sexual diseases in Basque country is on the rise, so much so that health care officials are concerned. The number of cases of syphilis and gonorrhea have gone up exponentially since 2018. The director of public health shared this was not a problem unique to Basque Country as similar increases are being seen in other parts of the world.
    • Pray for those who are sexually active with multiple partners and the health care workers that are treating them.
  • Basque country currently has ~5700 people who have some level of protection due to male violence. Most of the protection is directed towards women, though children and men are being protected as well. Four levels of protection exist with most of the cases falling in the basic level of protection.
    • Pray those who are being protected, those that are doing the protection and those who are the attackers.
  • The Basque Country budget has increased ~21% over the last 3 years. The three areas that have driven the largest part of the increase have been: health care, education and government services to help with employment and social services. Thankfully they have been able to address the increase with European grants and taxes.
    • Pray as leaders work to ensure these areas are well funded without neglecting the other areas.
  • Schools officially are scheduled to start on Thursday, September 8. New education rules were passed and were partially implemented for the last school year. This school year they are obligatory. The evaluation process is an area that is seeing considerable change as they move from a number grade system to be one that uses 5 different categories to communicate mastery of the material.
    • Pray for educators, parents and students as they return to school and as they work through the impacts of the new education laws.
  • The next steps are being taken politically after the July 23 elections. On Saturday, September 2 Pedro Sánchez was inaugurated as the leader of the PSOE party. He is also the currently functioning president of Spain. The legislature will vote on who will be PM on September 26/27. It’s expected to be a close vote between Sánchez and Feijóo (leader of the PP party). Puigdemont is also back in the news as his upcoming trial starts Thursday September 7 for his actions in the Catalonia separatist movement in 2017. Also, conversations have restarted about changes in how some regions interact with the Spanish government, with Basque Country being one region that is leading the request for this change.
    • Prayer for the political leaders as they begin the legislative session at the national and regional levels.
  • The employment market took a turn in August, and the impact was felt across several different sectors. It‘s much better than 2022 and they believe it’s part of the normal cycle that has been seen in previous years during the month of August.
    • Prayer for those who are seeking work, business owners and leaders as they work to understand the situation now and for the future.

The verse for the week:

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV

News for prayer for Week of May 2, 2022

Sampie Brown on May 7, 2022

Much appreciation to Jeff for writing an extra news for prayer while we were out for family vacation. Thanks also to Jeff for all the years of writing the newsletter and providing us all with information on how to be in prayer for the Basque people. Wishing you well as you move into the next season of your life after all the years of service here in Basque Country. For the future, my plan is to write these twice a month.

Headline News:
For COVID it’s been a little over two weeks now that masks have been removed from being required indoors. For numbers, it’s hard to share anything as it’s not being reported on any more. The COVID news has almost gone away and it is hard to find much about the current situation.

The president of the Bishop’s council is working to provide protection to health care workers who want to consciously object for reasons of faith to abortions and euthanisims. The bishops produced a document on March 25 that expanded on the theme. The president commented that even in the military it is possible to be able to serve with a conscious objection to carrying a weapon, the same should be the case for healthcare workers. I normally do not read/talk about opinion columns. However I’m including one this time. The title was about the future of faith and the Church (Catholic). The opinion talks about how the area is waiting on a new bishop. In it he talks about waiting patiently for the new bishop and the importance of connecting with the next generation of believers. He talks about the confidence they should have in God to provide the right person to help address these areas and others as the church looks to impact the area. (I’d add in a bit about how you responded to reading this… )

Last weekend was Mother’s day here in Spain. The Sunday paper included several pages highlighting different mothers and the appreciation for them. An article was also written about birthing in Basque Country. 30% of babies born are from mothers outside of Spain, ~40% are born to mothers who are not married and the number of mothers over 40 increased by ~1.5%. They also shared that only ~65% of Basque under the age of 30 want kids, a 17% drop in the last 5 years.

Economy:
In Europe the unemployment numbers are at historic lows after the pandemic. The numbers in Spain however have not been recovering as well, they are also seeing high numbers (high unemployment rates?) for young workers.

This past Sunday the paper had an interview with a leader from the Central European Bank. Three key points from the article were about the current economic crisis and pensions. On the topic of pensions they said it was a political decision, though they have methods to help guarantee the system is sustainable. On the current economic situation, the comments were positive, though tough decisions need to be made to prevent a recession. A positive for Spain is they see it as a stronghold in the current situation versus a burden it had been in the past.

The IBEX35 ended last week on a downward trend closing at 8584.20, a 0.79% drop for last week.

Political:
The leader of the Basque government has not left Spain for almost 3 years. The last trip was in August of 2019, when he traveled to the Vatican. Over the coming months he has plans to visit Japan, Corsica and Paris. An objective of the trip is to discuss political strategy with other international leaders.

In 2016 CNI (National Intelligence Center) for Spain purchased a license for Pegasus. This is software that allows you to spy on smartphones. Two weeks ago it was reported that this software was initially used to spy on Catalonian political leaders. However that was expanded in 2019 until now to include several other people. The CNI is now under investigation and lots of push back on the government about who has been spied on.

International:
The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to carry a large portion of international coverage. Immigration of Ukrainian refugees to Basque Country has been increasing. They are seeing that ~10% of them who came are starting to return home. The last number I’ve seen for immigration was ~3,250 in all of Basque Country. The paper also carried an article about the Roe vs Wade conversation with an article from a New York correspondent that shared a little historical context, current response and potential impacts. There was also a small article talking about the history of Roe vs Wade.

Sports:
Real Sociedad has had a tough stretch the past couple of weeks. Last week they played to a draw, then last night they lost 2-1. They have 3 games left in the season and are currently in 6th place.

GBC has won 2 games and lost 2 games since the last news for prayer. With three games to go the team is trying to move up one place in order to qualify for the playoffs. They are currently 2 points behind.

Real Sociedad women’s team for the first time in its history qualified to play in the Europa League. The team has been playing well over the past couple of years winning tournaments against other women’s teams in Spain. This will put them in the next level to compete against other women’s teams in Europe.

Prayer Points and verse for the week:

Prayers points:
Those looking for employment
Catholic Church Leadership
Russian Invasion of Ukraine and the wide reaching impacts

The verse for this week was from a recent daily verse:

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Romans 8:26 NLT