Some observers believe that the patriarchal family, which has been the cornerstone of Omani society, is undergoing a crisis. This is due in large part to open doors for multitudes of women to enter the workforce, and appears to be revolutionizing the traditional understanding of family roles.

Today’s Omani women enjoy better education and good health services that give them the option to delay marriage and childbearing. Contraception is giving women growing control in this arena. This reduces the fertility rate and family size. Mothers working outside the home also greatly change the traditional family dynamic and roles.

Many young Omani men are also delaying marriage, because of high unemployment rates and high costs of dowries and traditional weddings. High dowries have also led to an increase in marrying foreigners. Divorce rates have also been increasing, nearly doubling in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Let’s pray for Omani families:

• Pray for the healing of marriages, and the preservation of families as they face rising divorce rates, increasing youth restlessness, and distance from religion and traditions. 
• Omani men often feel shame due to lack of work or low wages. Pray for the restoration of their honor, as husbands and fathers.
• Pray for Omani mothers to have God’s heart for their children, and to love and respect their husbands. 
• Pray for Omani children and young adults to know their identity as God’s creation, and to have a sense of purpose for their lives. 

Worship with us!: I Speak Jesus by Here Be Lions. May many Omanis turn to Jesus to heal their families!

Matthew 18:14 Focus—‘Your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost.’ 

Please bring these towns and villages before the Father:

Jahas, Sama’il district, Ad-Dakhliyah region. Population: 73

Ar-Ruhbah, Sama’il district, Ad-Dakhliyah region. Population: 72

Miraywah, Sama’il district, Ad-Dakhliyah region. Population: 71

Wadi Jibbu, Sama’il district, Ad-Dakhliyah region. Population: 54

As-Samyah, Sama’il district, Ad-Dakhliyah region. Population: 53