Pray for Bhutan

 Learn about and pray for Bhutan in just 5 minutes per week!

Receive one email per week for 13 weeks about Bhutan’s history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.

Specific prayer points are included in each email.

Introduction

Bhutan is a small country of stunning Himalayan landscapes and unique culture largely influenced by Buddhism. The Tiger’s Nest (pictured above) is one of the most picturesque monasteries in the world.

But Bhutan is almost entirely unreached by the gospel and the government actively oppresses the growth of the church to preserve Bhutanese culture and tradition.

Bhutan desperately needs our prayers for the gospel to take root in the hearts of the people.

Read on to learn how you can pray for Bhutan!

 

3 Sri Lankan women standing against a wall
map of people groups in Sri Lanka

Fast Facts

Capital City: Thimpu

Population: 775,000 (99.6% unreached)

People Groups: 74 (71 unreached)

10/40 Window: Yes

map of people groups in Sri Lanka

Major People Groups: Bhutanese 50%, South Himalayan 15.7%, Tibetan 6.5%, South Asian 27.5%

Religion: Buddhist 75%, Hindu 22%, Christian 2%

Language: Dzongkha, Nepali

GDP Per Capita: $8,700

Literacy Rate: 64.9%

Did you know? Bhutan has the world’s highest unclimbed mountain peak, Gangkhar Puensum, at 24,836 ft.

Pray for Bhutan’s unreached people groups

Bhutan is a small nation of only 775,000 people, but it is diverse ethnically and very unreached. Almost the entire population of Bhutan lives in an unreached people group.

Below are the 10 largest unreached people groups in Bhutan:

 

Name Religion Population
1. Drukpa Buddhism 217,000
2. Monpa Buddhism 97,000
3. Ngalong Buddhism 88,000
4. Sharchop Buddhism 66,000
5. Kheng Buddhism 35,000
6. Bumthangpa Buddhism 23,000
7. Matpa Buddhism 20,000
8. Dzala Buddhism 17,000
9. Nyenpa Buddhism 13,000
10. Lap, Lakha Buddhism 11,000

 

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What is the largest unreached people group in Bhutan?

The largest people group in Bhutan is the Drukpa. They are a largely Buddhist people group of about 217,000 people.

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How many people groups are in Bhutan?

There are 74 people groups in Bhutan - 40 follow Buddhism and 28 follow Hinduism.

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How many unreached people groups are in Bhutan?

Bhutan has 71 unreached people groups: 40 are Buddhist and 28 are Hindu.

Pray for Christians being persecuted

Bhutan was ranked #40 in the 2023 Open Doors World Watch List.

While there is little violence against Christians (because Bhutanese are mostly Buddhist), there is tremendous social pressure from families, workplaces and the government. Converts risk being ostracized from a society that is very communal.

World Watch List

You can learn about Christian persecution and pray for our brothers and sisters who being persecuted around the world by praying through the Open Doors’ World Watch List.

 

[God] has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Paul

2 Corinthians 1:10-11

How to pray for Bhutan

Bhutan is a small country that is packed with stunning Himalayan landscapes and a completely distinct culture, but it almost entirely unreached by the gospel. Here’s how to pray for Bhutan…

 

Please pray for:

  1. Bhutanese to count the cost and find Christ worthy
  2. boldness for Bhutanese believers to witness to their family and friends
  3. job creation to lift the poor out of poverty
  4. missionaries to reach Bhutan’s remaining 71 UPGs
  5. salvation for the people in the remaining UPGs

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Joel 2:28

Pray for Bhutan

 “Slow drip” your learning and prayers for  Bhutan: its history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.