Following Easter Sunday services, three Protestant house churches in the Gelephu subdivision of Sarpang district in southern Bhutan were raided by police. Most worshippers had already left, but those who remained were questioned about who had attended. According to an April 23 report from Compass Direct, no arrests were made, but the Christians were told that their services were "terrorist activities." Three pastors and one elder were ordered to report daily to the police station.
Officially, Christianity does not exist in Bhutan and it is illegal to meet for public worship, though worship in homes has been allowed.
Pray that Christians in Bhutan will be strengthened in their faith and grow closer to Christ in the midst of opposition. Pray for the growth of Christ's Church in this predominantly Buddhist country.
For more information on persecution in Bhutan, click here.
Religion (%) Buddhist (75.3), Hindu (22.1), other (2.6)
Leader King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (2006)
Government type Constitutional monarchy
Legal system Civil law based on Buddhist religious law
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Bhutan
Pray that Bhutan's young leader, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, will hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and find true peace in Him.
Ask God to increase the believers' witness in their communities, giving them the ability to lovingly oppose the ongoing pressure to engage in traditional Buddhist prayers and practices.
Ask the Lord to provide for them, especially in cases where basic necessities are denied. Pray that they will also have all the resources they need to grow in Him.