PRAYING FOR SOUTH ASIA: HOPE, WITNESS, AND THE GLOBAL CHURCH
Let's turn our attention to South Asia, asking God to strengthen His Church and draw many people to Himself across one of the world's most religiously diverse regions.
Home to billions of people, South Asia includes large Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, and other religious communities. Christians make up only about 4% of the population, which makes the witness of local churches both deeply significant and often costly.
Amidst this diversity, God is building His Church and calling people to Himself.
The Church in South Asia reflects many cultures, languages, and backgrounds. In some places, Christians are a very small minority, and many faithfully follow Jesus while facing discrimination, social pressure, or persecution. In India, converts and those involved in evangelism can face hostility and violence. In Pakistan, Christians experience serious pressure and threats related to blasphemy laws. Nepal has also seen increased violence against religious minorities in recent years.
Yet hardship has not stopped the witness of the Church. Across the region, Christians continue to worship, share the gospel, disciple new believers, serve their communities, and follow Christ with courage.
A Ministry Focus: Reaching Unreached Tribes in South Asia
Around the world, more than 6,600 of the 11,500 people groups remain unreached. Among these unreached groups, fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians. To help reach remote tribes in South Asia, our denominational agency, Mission to the World (MTW), is partnering with a local denomination in one of the most unreached countries in the world.
These churches are training and sending their own missionaries to neighboring tribes, including communities that have had no Christian witness. They are also seeking to reach the majority population, which is the largest unreached people group in the world today. By God’s grace, this ministry has already seen many people come to Christ and dozens of churches developed in a place of great spiritual and material need. You can learn more here.
How to Pray This Month
Pray for courage and faithfulness for Christians who face opposition or persecution because of their faith.
Pray for protection for pastors, missionaries, church leaders, and their families.
Pray for boldness in evangelism, asking God to give believers opportunities to share the hope of Jesus with their families, neighbors, and communities.
Pray for new believers, especially those who come to Christ from Hindu, Muslim, or Buddhist backgrounds, that they would grow strong in their faith and find supportive Christian communities.
Pray for church growth and unity, that churches throughout South Asia would remain grounded in God’s Word and reflect the love of Christ.
Pray for peace and justice, especially in places where Christians and other religious minorities experience violence or discrimination.
A Prayer for South Asia
Almighty God, you who promised to build your church around the world that the gates of hell would not prevail against it, we praise you for Christians across South Asia and thank you for every believer who follows you faithfully, even when obedience is difficult or costly.
Grant strength to your church throughout this region. Give pastors, missionaries, and church leaders wisdom and courage. Protect believers who face persecution, discrimination, or violence, and comfort those who have suffered because of their faith.
Give your people boldness to proclaim the gospel. Prepare people's hearts and open doors for conversations about Jesus. Strengthen new believers and provide faithful local churches where they can grow in your Word. Give churches wisdom as they serve their local communities and meet the needs of those around them.
We pray this that your Church may continue to grow, and the name of Jesus be glorified throughout South Asia as we worship you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, Amen.