Christians are being asked to keep praying for South Sudan and Sudan after an agreement was reached this week on oil production.

The agreement means that South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, will resume oil production for the first time in over a year, the BBC reports.

Oil production was halted in January last year after South Sudan and Sudan felt out over sharing oil revenues.

In a visit to Church Mission Society, the Bishop of Kajo-Keji, the Right Reverend Anthony Poggo said the dispute between the two countries had affected ordinary people on the ground "because prices have definitely gone up".

"Having good relations between Sudan and South Sudan is crucial for both countries," said. "As people who were once one country, we must be good neighbours."

Bishop Poggo also raised concerns about conflicts in South Kordofan, the Blue Nile regions, and Darfur, saying peace in these regions was essential to peace in the whole of Sudan and in relations with the South.

The ongoing conflicts have triggered humanitarian crises affecting thousands of Christians.

Bishop Poggo said the international community must keep pressure on both countries to find solutions to the disputes.

Despite the challenges, he said most people were still hopeful for the future.

"People are glad there is peace in most parts and glad to have a new country – people feel they are first class citizens in their own country," he said.

"The important thing is that people are willing to persevere. They have in the past and are willing to persevere for a little longer."