Weekly UPG Prayer Focus

Country: Vietnam | Population: 1,906,000 | Language: Tay | Main Religion: Ethnic Religions | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%

The Tay were once master hunters, but today they are mostly peasant farmers working on community (or collective) farms growing wet rice and other crops.  The Tay worship a multitude of gods associated with earth, water, fire, and important ancestors.  The Tay are also animists who worship many other ghosts and spirits that occupy non-living objects.  Pray that the Tay would recognize that Jesus is the one they should worship and that He can free them from their spiritual bondage.  Pray that God would call people to go and share Christ with the Tay.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would soften their hearts to hearing the story of Jesus.  Pray that God would encourage and strengthen the few Tay believers and empower them to boldly proclaim the Gospel.

Country: Yemen | Population: 159,000 | Language: Soqotri | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%

The Socotran live on the island of Socotra off the east coast of Somalia and the Horn of Africa.  They descended from a mix of Greek, Portuguese, African, and Arab people.  The Socotran speak a version of a language used for centuries in pre-Islamic Arabia.  Tradition says that the apostle Thomas originally brought the Gospel to the island, but Christianity had completely disappeared by 1680.  Portions of Scripture were translated in the early 1900s, yet sharing the Gospel is extremely difficult since the island is only accessible with permission from the Yemeni military.  In addition, there are no regular flights, and the island is inaccessible by boat for four months each year.  Pray that God, in His miraculous way, would open a door for believers to live and work on the island.  Pray that God would re-establish a thriving and vibrant church among the Socotran that would be a beacon of light in the region.

Country: Benin | Population: 337,000 | Language: Dendi | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%

The Dendi are one of some 65 ethnic groups in Benin, the least evangelized non-Muslim country south of the Sahara.  Farming is a noble profession for the Dendi, but it is only for men.  Women have gardens where they grow vegetables and fruits.  Villages are comprised of people from a common male ancestor.  Over 99% of Dendi are at least superficially Muslims.  However, spirit possession, magic, sorcery, ancestor worship, and witchcraft are core components of their beliefs and daily practices.  Pray that God would open their eyes so they would see that Jesus is above all of the spirits, powers, and rulers of darkness.  Pray that the Dendi would recognize the lies they have been told and would choose to follow Jesus, who offers them the whole armor of God to withstand the evil one.  Pray for the Dendi church to thrive and shine the light of the Gospel brightly for all to see.

Country: Pakistan | Population: 4,688,000 | Language: Western Punjabi | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%

Invaders brought Islam to the Gujar region of Western India during the 11th century.  When neighboring Hindu groups regained control of the region, they pushed out both the invaders and those who had become Muslims.  The Gujar combined Islam with some Hindu beliefs and traditions, causing further rejection.  They were labeled as an untouchable caste destined for a life of poverty, illiteracy, and social oppression.  The Gujar are seasonal nomads who raise buffalo and sheep along with some minimal farming.  Pray that God would soften the hearts of family, clan, and government leaders so they would be open to hearing the Gospel and understand how much God loves and values them.  Pray that they would want to follow Jesus.