Italy has had a lot of contact with North Africans since the Roman Empire controlled that part of the African continent until the 400s. After the Advent of Islam there were Islamic armies raiding and eventually conquering Sicily and portions of southern Italy. The Italians were not able to resist for hundreds of years. There were a couple of decades in the early 20th century when Italy held Libya as a colony, which partially explains why so many North Africans are from that country. North African migrants in Italy include Algerians and Tunisians, but the largest number comes from Morocco. They come hoping to find jobs that are lacking in their part of the world.

Almost 100 percent of the North Africans who enter Italy are Sunni Muslims. They are taught from an early age that Islam holds all of life's answers. Though Jesus is an important prophet to them, they believe that Mohammed is the final prophet, and his teachings are by far the most important. How does one overcome teachings that come from their parents and those with the highest status in their communities?

The first need for North Africans who are trying to make Italy their permanent home is how to find a job. Followers of Christ who want to make Him known to North Africans in Italy can help them with job skills, or even how to establish their own micro businesses. It is possible to distribute Christian materials to them, though it needs to be done in a tactful manner.

There are almost no followers of Christ among the North Africans in Italy. However, as the Holy Spirit moves among North Africans, pray that the eyes of their hearts will be open to the ways of Jesus Christ. Pray that they will see that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts. 4:12). Pray for Italian believers to go to them with the power and the love of the Holy Spirit so that they can see the difference Jesus makes in one's life. Pray for the North Africans in Italy to be set free from the spiritual bondage of Islam. Pray that they will find ways to contribute to Italian society. Pray for North Africans to be protected from organized crime and human traffickers.

Scripture Prayers for the Arab, general in Italy.