Weekly UPG Prayer Focus

Country: Nigeria | Population: 34.8 million | Language: Hausa | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.1%

The Hausa are the largest ethnic group in West Africa and are very influential politically and culturally. The Hausa have been doing long-distance trading throughout Africa and the Middle East for many centuries. As a result, Islam was introduced to the tribe sometime prior to the 16th century. Hausa culture is very strongly tied to Islam which makes it difficult for them to be reached with the Gospel. These deep religious ties have also led to intense persecution of Hausa believers. Pray that God would encourage and protect the Hausa believers. Ask God to send Christians to share His Good News with the Hausa in Nigeria. Pray that God would establish a vibrant and thriving Hausa church.

Country: Bangladesh | Population: 2,805,000 | Language: Bengali | Main Religion: Hinduism | Evangelical: 0.1-2.0%

The majority of Namassej are day laborers, while others work as rickshaw-pullers or poultry farmers. They are hard-working people who are very lively, enthusiastic, and conscious of their own identity. Their literacy rate is low, though it has improved in recent years. The Namassej are practicing Hindus who primarily worship Laksmi and Parameshwar. Pray that the Namassej would value education and send their children to school. Pray for the Good News of Jesus to reach their communities through radio, films, and recordings. Pray that they would truly come to know who Jesus is and follow Him fully.

Country: Chad | Population: 1,051,000 | Language: Kanembu | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%

The Kanembu live in the arid desert region of northwest Chad and were once the most powerful tribe in central North Africa. The king converted to Islam in the 1200s and then conquered and converted many neighboring tribes. The dynasty went into decline in the 1500s and ended with the arrival of the French in the 1900s. However, there are still sultans and traditional rulers who hold more power and influence than government officials. The majority of Kanembu are farmers, while many others work at salt mines. Most are illiterate, or may only read and write the Arabic that they learn in Islamic schools. Kanembu is not yet a written language. Pray that God would take away the stony hearts of the Kanembu and give them new hearts and a new spirit in them. Pray that God would call workers to come live among the Kanembu in Chad. Pray that the Kanembu would choose to walk with Jesus and then share their new faith with other tribes.

Country: Japan | Population: 1,151,000 | Language: Okinawan | Main Religion: Ethnic Religions | Evangelical: 0.1-2.0%

The Ryukyuan are a tight-knit indigenous community from the Ryukyuan Islands. They are Ryukyuan first and Japanese second. During WWII, the Battle of Okinawa saw fierce fighting with roughly 250,000 casualties, including 20,195 American soldiers. The Ryukyuan are among the longest-living people in the world. They honor and worship their ancestors, whom they believe both watch over and protect their families. The Ryukyuan also worship spirits in the natural world and seek to live in harmony with nature. Women are highly esteemed with central roles as shamans and mediators in the spiritual world, as well as guardians of the home. Pray for believers to have opportunities to share their faith with the Ryukyuan. Pray that they would understand why Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, willingly died for their sins. Pray that they will choose to follow Jesus and put their trust in Him.