Praying for Nepal If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.  - John 14:14

Geography President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari Land area: 147,181 sq km A mountainous Himalayan state between China (Tibet) and India. It contains 8 of the 10 highest mountain peaks in the world. Population: 29,852,682 Major People Groups: 92% Bantu, 2% Cushitic Capital: Kathmandu Official language: Nepali Languages: 127

Isolation and a long-ruling monarchy have contributed to Nepal being one of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world. It is estimated that 25% to 40% of the Nepalese people live below the poverty line.  Most of Nepal's people are subsistence farmers where geographic, environmental, and political factors have impacted the growth of agriculture as well as industry. 

Nepal ended its long line of monarchies by becoming a republic in 2008, yet political instability, civil strife, and labor problems continue. As the world's last remaining Hindu kingdom, over 80% of the Nepalese people are Hindu. Buddhists comprise around ten percent of the population.

Freedom of religion is guaranteed by law, but only in limited measures Freedom of religion is guaranteed by law, but only in limited measures. Non-Hindus cannot proselytize. If they do, they risk fines, imprisonment and, in the case of expatriates, expulsion. Despite this law, the Church in Nepal grows because of courageous evangelism. Hindu fundamentalists as well as Maoists often single out Christians; their non-violent nature and connections to the West make them soft targets.

Religion 6,164,900 850,801 22,392,497 75.01 Religion Pop % Ann Gr Largest Religion: Hinduism Religion                 Pop % Ann Gr Buddhists 6,164,900 9.05 Evangelicals 850,801 2.9 5.3 Hindus 22,392,497 75.01

The Church in Nepal The Christian Church has existed in Nepal for only 50 years, although attempts were made to bring the Word of God to Nepal in the 19th Century. William Carey translated the New Testament into Nepali in 1821, and the whole Bible was finally translated in 1914. The Church there owes much to Nepali and expatriate Christians who prayed and witnessed in India before Nepal was opened up.

They then entered the country as the nucleus of an indigenous Church in the hands of Nepalis from the start. Indian Christians also came to Nepal as missionaries, and still do. Nepali former soldiers converted while in the Indian and British Armies have played a significant part too. Some of the first Christians were imprisoned for their faith, which led to more conversions in prison.

The Church in Nepal has grown steadily, and by some estimates evangelical Christians are now almost 3% of the population. Christian leaders estimate the number of Christians at approximately 800,000. Press reports indicate that around 200 Christian churches operate in Kathmandu alone.

Prayercast Nepal There is a church planted in every one of the 75 districts of Nepal, and there are at least some believers in almost every people and caste group. “There are more temples than houses and more gods than people.”

Evangelicals - challenges “If you come to Nepal, you will see many similarities between the church in Nepal and the first century church as described in the Book of Acts — in the religious life of the people, how the church is being persecuted, the excitement of the believers, how the power of God is being demonstrated through healings, exorcisms,” Shrestha said.

Prayer points Pray for perseverance for believers, that neither laws of man nor threats of violence deter them from sharing the gospel. Pray for Jesus to be made known among unreached peoples in hard-to-access locations. Pray for biblical training and Christlikeness for a rising generation of church leaders. Pray for the Living God to restore those devastated by the earthquakes. (25.4.15)