Some of the least-reached nations on earth are not closed at all. Japan and Thailand have had missionaries for well over a century, and both remain around one percent Christian. Here is how to pray for the Buddhist world — patiently, specifically and with hope.
A different kind of unreached
About 550 million people — around 7% of the world — identify as Buddhist, most of them in East and Southeast Asia. In many of these places the Gospel is legal and Bibles are freely available. The barrier is not access but understanding: Christianity is often seen as foreign, and following Jesus can feel like leaving one's family and nation behind.
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (WEB)
Pray for the nations
- Japan — 124 million people · about 1.5% Christian · 36 of 48 people groups unreached
Pray for Japan — free, wealthy, and still barely reached after 150 years. - Vietnam — 101 million people · about 8% Christian · 80 of 110 people groups unreached
Praise God for the Hmong movement to Christ. - Thailand — 72 million people · about 1.2% Christian · 90 of 120 people groups unreached
Pray for the Central Thai — a large people almost untouched after two centuries. - Myanmar — 55 million people · about 6% Christian · 90 of 145 people groups unreached
Pray for believers in Chin, Kachin and Karenni states under military attack. - Mongolia — 3.5 million people · about 2% Christian · 20 of 30 people groups unreached
Praise God for the growth of the Mongolian church since 1990.
Pray for the peoples
- Japanese — 123 million · East Asia · Unreached
Pray for Japan — free, wealthy, and still barely reached after 150 years of work. - Bamar — 35 million · Southeast Asia · Unreached
Pray for the Bamar people to encounter Jesus. - Central Thai — 25 million · Southeast Asia · Frontier
Pray for the Central Thai — a large people almost untouched after two centuries.
Signs of hope
The story is not only slow growth. In Mongolia: from a handful of known believers in 1990 to a church of tens of thousands in a single generation. In Vietnam: a communist state where one of Asia's great movements to Christ has grown among a persecuted minority. God is moving in the Buddhist world, often among the people least expected.
What to ask for
- The Gospel as good news, not a foreign religion — for believers who can show Jesus in ways that make sense in their own culture.
- Families following together, so faith does not mean losing one's parents and heritage.
- Young leaders — many churches in the region have ageing pastors and few successors.
- Peace and protection — especially for believers in Myanmar living through conflict.
- Patience and perseverance for workers who sow for years before seeing fruit.
Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12 (WEB)
Keep going
- Asia-Pacific — the region at a glance.
- 24 unreached people groups to pray for
- How to pray for unreached nations — a weekly rhythm.
- Global Prayer Atlas — save nations to your prayer list.
Religious figures: Center for the Study of Global Christianity and Pew Research Center, rounded. People-group figures: Joshua Project.
Questions people ask
How many Buddhists are there in the world?
About 550 million, roughly 7% of the world's population, most of them in East and Southeast Asia.
What percentage of Japan is Christian?
About 1.5% of Japan's 124 million people identify as Christian, and about 0.5% as evangelical.
Why is Thailand still unreached?
Despite two centuries of missionary work, only about 1.2% of Thais identify as Christian. Christianity is often seen as foreign, and following Jesus can feel like leaving family and national identity behind.
How can I pray for Buddhists?
Pray for the Gospel to be heard as good news rather than a foreign religion, for families to follow Jesus together, for young church leaders, and for peace and protection for believers in places of conflict.