Day 5

DECEMBER | 2023

Bhutan

PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY

Praise God for a recent visit that a group of Christian Believers from Nepal could make to Bhutan to meet with Believers there to encourage them. It was a precious time of fellowship as the Church is so small in Bhutan that opportunities to worship with a group of others are rare. Pray that the faith of those in Bhutan will be strengthened this Christmas. Pray they may know God is Emmanuel; He is with us even when isolated (The Bible, Isaiah 7:14).

Source: Christian workers in the region

MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY

Bhutan is a small South Asian country wedged between India and China. It is predominantly Buddhist while hosting a reasonable Hindu presence. The Christian population is minuscule, and the majority of attempts at outreach failed. Bhutan ranks 40th in the Open Doors Persecution Country List for 2023. Despite its small population, the lack of reliable job centers increased unemployment to 18% this year. There is little scope for tent ministries due to this predicament. However, it also increases the opportunity for Bhutanese youth to venture beyond the borders to India or China, where Christian Missions have some presence.

CHIEF OF STATE
King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
HEAD OF GOV.
PM Lotay Tshering
POPULATION
741,700
CHRISTIANS
1.4%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
0.4%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Buddhism
PERSECUTION RANKING
40
REFUGEES
23,833
LIFE EXPECTANCY
68.3 yrs
LITERACY RATE
52.8%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
12%