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GlobalPrayerGuide

Bhutan
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Overview:

Until the 1980s, Bhutan was isolated from the rest of the world by its Himalayan geography, poor infrastructure and poor international relations. In 2008, the country adopted a multiparty constitutional democracy and implemented a new constitution that affords a greater level of religious freedom. Most Christians in Bhutan are of Nepali heritage, and believers are focused on reaching the ethnic Bhutanese with the message of Christ.

Major Religion:

88 percent of the Bhutanese people are Buddhists. Approximately 1 percent are Christians.

Persecutor:

Christians are restricted by federal laws and persecuted by local authorities.

What It Means To Follow Christ In Bhutan

The king identifies himself as the defender of the Buddhist faith, and the government works covertly to discourage the spread of Christianity, enacting an anti-conversion law punishable by imprisonment. Christians are viewed as followers of a foreign, Western religion. There is no opportunity for the legal registration of churches in Bhutan. Christians often lose their jobs and are unable to find work because of their faith. They can lose their citizenship and privileges for being a Christian, so many must worship in secret.

Access To Bibles:

Though small numbers of Bibles are allowed into the nation legally, the government continues to restrict widespread distribution. Most Bibles must be smuggled into the country from neighboring nations. Give Bibles

VOM Work:

VOM provides Bibles and discipleship resources. We are also supporting the training and discipleship of future local church leaders. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray that God's Word will reach Christians and seekers like Pema and her family despite government restrictions.
  • Pray for Christians like Karna, Deki and Ratno, who have lost jobs and citizenship because of their faith.
  • Bhutanese Christians often must meet secretly. Pray that their secret meetings fuel a bold witness for Christ.
  • Using Isaiah 54:17 as a guide, pray that government efforts to stop the spread of Christianity will fail.
  • Pray for effective discipleship efforts to prepare new leaders for local churches.