The Aftermath of the Sept 25th, 2025 in Madagascar: A Revelation of Deep Poverty

The recent events in Madagascar have laid bare the grim realities of social, societal, systemic, and spiritual poverty within the nation. As communities grapple with the aftermath of violence and unrest, the events illuminate a troubling landscape that is both heartbreaking and revealing of deeper issues affecting the people. 

✔️ Social Poverty: Exploiting Desperation

The incidents of looting that followed the organized peaceful protests for lack of access to water and electricity serve as a stark indicator of social poverty. Many believe there were individuals—perhaps even orchestrated groups—prepared to exploit the chaos for their own gain. However, the desperate nature of many individuals cannot be ignored. People, seeking to survive in a system that has largely failed them, took advantage of the turmoil to seize what little they could. Early morning reports indicate that looting continue today, a testament to the pervasive desperation gripping many communities.

🖐🏽 This behavior, while condemnable, reveals a larger narrative: a population struggling under the weight of poverty. Desperation often breeds irrational actions that, in the short term, may seem to alleviate an immediate need but ultimately threaten long-term stability. Such actions do not occur in isolation; they are the byproduct of years of systemic neglect and poverty that have left many feeling hopeless and powerless.

✔️ Societal Poverty: Small Businesses at Risk

The societal implications of this turmoil are equally disturbing. Small business owners—those who labor day in and day out to build their enterprises—have found their hard work reduced to ashes or ruins. Stores that once served as community pillars now lie in tatters, victims of senseless vandalism. The immediate concern for these entrepreneurs extends beyond material loss; it includes the devastating realization that many of them may never recover.

The loss of these small businesses leads to a broader economic malaise for the community. With livelihoods vanishing and jobs dissipating, Madagascar risks losing its credibility (no investor nor tourist would want to set foot or spend a penny in Madagascar) on the international stage, which could further deepen the cycle of poverty. The actions taken by looters appear not only as acts of theft but as a profound reflection of a society failing to consider the consequences of such impulsiveness. 

🖐🏽 This lack of consideration for one’s fellow man underscores a troubling trend: individuals motivated only by self-interest overlook the collective harm inflicted on their community. In moments of crisis, solidarity can either build or break a society. The ongoing unrest points to a dire need for reconnection among community members—a return to values that prioritize communal well-being over personal gain.

✔️ Systemic Poverty: A Broken System

Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of these events is the glaring evidence of systemic poverty reflected in the response of law enforcement. Initial reports indicate that the police were quick to repress peaceful protests yet failed to contain the looting. This juxtaposition raises serious questions about priorities within the system itself.

The apparent inability—or unwillingness—of the police to protect law-abiding citizens while responding forcefully to protestors reveals shortcomings within Madagascar’s political and justice systems. These failures are symptomatic of a broken system, one that breeds a culture of impunity and neglect. When those responsible for maintaining order and justice seemingly abandon their duties, it signals a larger societal breakdown. 

🖐🏽 Such systemic failures perpetuate cycles of poverty, leaving marginalized populations without recourse or protection. In this clarity of dysfunction, a solution must be sought—not merely through superficial measures but through genuine systemic reform that addresses the root causes of poverty.

✔️ Spiritual Poverty: The Need for Wisdom

At the heart of these issues lies a deeper concern: spiritual poverty. The actions of looters, those instigating chaos, and the indifferent responses of authorities reflect a troubling absence of wisdom and compassion (Prov 9:10; Mat 22:37-39). When the fear of God and love for one’s neighbor are disregarded, society suffers. 

🖐🏽 In moments such as these, it becomes imperative for the Church and believers to manifest a different narrative. The call to be “salt and light” is essential, offering hope, resilience, and a blueprint for unity amid chaos. 

It is an opportunity for those who follow the teachings of Christ to lead by example, embodying the values of compassion and community that are desperately needed.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

🚨 The aftermath of the recent events in Madagascar must serve as a clarion call for reflection and action. It exposes layers of social, societal, systemic, and spiritual poverty, urging proactive steps toward healing and restoration. As the nation grapples with these issues, it is crucial that all stakeholders—government, communities, and individuals—work collaboratively to address these underlying conditions, fostering a society where hope can thrive instead of despair. Christians in each of those spheres must step up and live out their difference. 

In doing so, Madagascar might yet rise from the ashes of its trials, rebuilding not just its economy but its very spirit as a nation.

And so we pray. And we would like to invite you to pray with us. 

In the face of the current situation, we Christians have a responsibility to pray for our country and for one another.

Let this Word of God guide us in this, Romans 12:12-17

” Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”

Here are the prayer requests we can share:

 For all political leaders and those in authority, may God give them wisdom (1 Tim 2:1-2)

 For the protests that the people are planning to do, may God give them wisdom on when to speak and when to keep be quiet (Eccl 3:7-8). May these protests continue to be peaceful. 

 For God’s protection for those who carry out peaceful protests (Ps 91:1)

 For the public demonstrations that the political opposition parties are planning, that God would prevent further unrest (Rom 13:1-2)

 For businesses and individuals who have lost their assets (Rom 12:13-15)

 For those who lost family members or friends (Rom 12:15)

 For those who have lost their livelihoods or their jobs (Rom 12:13-15)

 For the ability to return to school for children and students (Rom 12:12)

 For the police, military forces, firefighters and health workers (1 Tim 2:2)

 For Peace in all the major cities of Madagascar

 For the witness of Christians (Matt 5:13-16)

 For the spread of the Gospel and the salvation of the souls of those who do not yet have Christ (Col 3:2-4)

 For the application of 1 John 3:18 by all Christians:

Do not buy any stolen goods from looters

Do not incite violence with your words online or your actions

Encourage those around you who you know have stolen to return the goods they took

Help clean up and repair damaged buildings

Buy from the most affected businesses if they still have anything for sale

Pray for the owners or businesses and employees who have lost their jobs due to the unrest 

How can we pray for these things:

Share these prayer requests among our churches, associations, and each of our families, share it in all WhatsApp or Messenger groups we are part of.

Agree on a time each day to pray together.

Each person can take a time that suits him/her to pray individually and thus to establish a prayer chain.

If any of us are also convinced to fast (Matt 6:16-18), I encourage you to do so. Fasting reminds us that we do not live by bread alone but by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4)… Therefore, when we fast, it’s not about skipping a meal, but rather it is about being fed by the word of God and focusing completely on God.

May the Lord have mercy on our nation.