Weekly UPG Prayer Focus

Country: Malawi | Population: 2,693,000 | Language: Yao | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.1-1.0%

The Yao trace their history to the area surrounding Yao Mountain in Northern Mozambique.  Famine and tribal conflicts in the 1800s caused many to flee.  Most Yao are now found in Malawi and live as subsistence farmers and fishermen.  The Gospel was brought to Malawi in the mid-1800s by missionaries (including David Livingstone) who were instrumental in Britain ending slavery. However, contact with Swahili-Arab slave traders led to the majority of the Yao converting to Islam between 1870 and 1920.  Yao Muslims have insulated themselves from their Christian Yao neighbors by maintaining their unified language, culture, and religious differences, including learning Arabic.  Pray for those who are trying to share the Good News.  Pray that the Yao would accept the Bible as Holy Scriptures and God’s Word to them.  Pray they would recognize Jesus as Savior and find their hope in Him.

Country: China | Population: 2,080,000 | Language: Miao | Main Religion: Ethnic Religions| Evangelical: 0.1-0.3%

The Hmu (or Miao) are known for their distinctive and ornate embroidered black clothing.  For centuries, they have been despised by the Chinese, who called them “men-dogs” since it was once believed they had tails.  Protestant missionary work began among the Hmu in 1896.  Two years later, a China Inland Mission missionary and the first Hmu believer were killed along with 32 more Hmu who had shown interest in the Gospel.  Missionaries returned to that area some 14 years later and completed a New Testament translation in 1934.  Pray that the seeds of the Gospel planted long ago would take root and grow now among the Hmu.  Pray they would know they are valued and loved by God, and that they would experience His forgiveness and grace.

Country: India | Population: 1,804,000 | Language: Hindi | Main Religion: Hinduism | Evangelical: 0.0-0.1%

The Dhobi people are one of the many Dalit castes and lower-status communities of India.  They have traditionally been the ones who washed laundry throughout the Hindu world.  Men wash the clothes, women iron them, and boys deliver packages of clean laundry to their owners.  The Dhobi are pragmatic Hindus who will worship whatever spiritual force they believe will help them in practical ways.  Besides worshiping popular Hindu and local gods, they worship the stones they use for washing clothes.  Pray for believers to go and make disciples among the Dhobi.  Pray that the Dhobi would experience God’s love and realize that Jesus is the only one who can wash away their sins and make their hearts clean.

Country: Iran | Population: 44,315,000 | Language: Persian | Main Religion: Islam | Evangelical: 0.1-2.0%

Persians have a rich history of kings, kingdoms, poetry, art, and advances in math and science. Their last king (or shah) was overthrown by Islamic revolutionists in 1979. Iran then became an Islamic nation ruled by the Ayatollah, or religious leader. Persians are very devoted to family, gathering together almost every day. Iranian law dictates that women cover their heads and wear special dress in public. Most women abide by these rules since penalties can be very severe. While the majority of Persians profess to being Muslim and believing in the Prophet Mohammed, some estimate that less than 10 percent strictly follow the practice of Islam. Many Persians are open to other religious beliefs. Pray for evangelization efforts since witnessing is illegal and conversion carries severe punishments. Pray for religious freedom in the country so churches can meet legally and openly.