Operation World

Operation World is a comprehensive reference book and prayer guide that provides detailed information about every country on Earth from a Christian evangelical perspective. The book combines statistical data, religious demographics, and cultural insights with specific prayer points for each nation. The publication began in 1974 as a modest 32-page booklet covering 30 countries, created by Patrick Johnstone during his missionary work in South Africa. It has since expanded into seven editions and been translated into multiple languages including Spanish, French, German, Korean, and Chinese. The current edition, published in 2010, contains updated statistics, trends, and developments in global Christianity, along with specific prayer requests for each geographic region. The book serves as a primary resource for churches and mission organizations worldwide. Operation World represents an intersection between data-driven research and spiritual practice, aiming to connect Christians globally through informed prayer and strategic mission work. Its influence on evangelical missions and global church partnerships has earned it recognition as one of the fifty most influential evangelical books.

Readers consistently mention using Operation World as a daily prayer guide and reference for global missions. The detailed statistics, prayer points, and country-specific information help them pray more specifically for different nations. Liked: - Comprehensive data on religions, demographics, and church growth - Regular updates in new editions to maintain accuracy - Maps and country profiles provide cultural context - Prayer calendar format makes it practical for daily use Disliked: - Dense statistical information can be overwhelming - Some readers found the print size too small - Occasional outdated information between editions - Limited coverage of certain regions/countries Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (276 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (198 ratings) Common reader comment: "This book transformed how I pray for the world" - seen in multiple Amazon reviews Several readers noted using it alongside the Operation World mobile app and website to get the most current information between print editions.

Window on the World by Jason Mandryk A guide that equips readers with country-by-country prayer points, demographics, and missionary statistics for evangelism and intercession.

From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya by Ruth A. Tucker A biographical history of Christian missions that chronicles the experiences of missionaries throughout different eras and regions.

Global Church Planting by Craig Ott, Gene Wilson A comprehensive manual of missionary strategies, cultural considerations, and practical methods for establishing churches in diverse global contexts.

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement by Ralph Winter, Steven Hawthorne A collection of essays and articles that examine the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of world missions.

The Atlas of Global Christianity by Todd M. Johnson A visual representation of Christianity's spread across continents with statistical data, demographic information, and geographical distributions of different Christian traditions.

🌟 Operation World began as a humble 32-page booklet but grew into a massive global reference work spanning over 1,000 pages 🌍 The book has been translated into more than 15 languages and is particularly popular in underground churches in restricted-access countries 📊 Each new edition typically takes 3-4 years to research and compile, involving hundreds of contributors and researchers worldwide ✝️ Patrick Johnstone started writing the book while serving as a missionary in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) during the 1970s, inspired by the need for informed prayer for nations 📱 The 2010 edition marked a significant shift by incorporating digital formats, including a companion DVD and online database, making the information more accessible and updateable