Pray for Laos
Learn about and pray for Laos in just 5 minutes per week!
Receive one email per week for 13 weeks about Laos’ history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.
WEEK 1
Prayercast
Pray along with a local believer for their nation.
WEEK 2
Operation World
Pray through Operation World's country profile.
WEEK 3
World Watch List
Pray through the country's persecution profile.
WEEKS 4-13
People Groups
Pray for the country's 10 largest unreached people groups.
Introduction
Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, is known for its traditional “sabai di” greeting. It’s mostly mountainous and one of the few remaining communist nations, with a history of French colonial rule until 1954.
Since 1975, communism has persisted, making Laos one of Asia’s poorest and most underdeveloped nations, particularly in rural areas where most of the population depends on agriculture and natural resources. Economic reforms have eased poverty, but foreign investment remains vital.
Christianity faced suppression after the communist takeover, with many fleeing and those who remained practicing in secret. Buddhism, intertwined with animist beliefs, dominates, but the Laotian Church shows growth amid challenges, driven by indigenous believers.
Read on to learn how you can pray for Laos.
Fast Facts
Capital City: Vientiane
Population: 7.5 million (76% unreached)
People Groups: 126
10/40 Window: Yes
Major People Groups: 39% Lao (Laotian Tai, Lao-Lu); 12% Khmu (Lao-Theng)
Major Religions: Buddhism 53%, Ethnic Religions 42%
Language: Lao, Khmu, Hmong
GDP Per Capita: $7,800
Literacy Rate: 85%
Did you know? The term “Lao PDR” stands for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, but it’s often humorously interpreted as “Please Don’t Rush” due to the relaxed pace of life.
Pray for the unreached people groups of Laos
Laos is a small nation of only 7.5 million people, but it has an incredibly diverse 126 people groups; of which, 96 are unreached.
Below are the 10 largest unreached people groups in Laos:
Pray for Christians being persecuted
Laos is ranked #21 on the 2024 World Watch List published by Open Doors.
The Communist authorities of Laos consider most church meetings ‘illegal gatherings’.
Registered churches are heavily monitored; any others have to operate secretly. Leaders of unregistered churches have been arrested and held for as long as a year, with huge sums charged for their release. Known Christians can easily lose their jobs.
In October 2022, a pastor in central Laos was killed. People from the Buddhist-animist community who become Christians face pressure and can be expelled from their homes.
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.”
Pray for Laos
“Slow drip” your learning and prayers for Laos: its history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.