*ARCHIVED OCTOBER 2007 // CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT DATA
Nepal (click here to view a satellite map)
Nepal, South Asia
Population: 27,676,547
Christians: 1-2%
Dominant Religion: Hinduism
Persecution Ranking: 34th
Political Leader: King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah
Religious Freedom in Constitution: Yes
Recently, Nepal has experienced a turbulent political situation. In 1990, a parliamentary government with constitutional monarchy had replaced an absolute monarchy. However, in the aftermath of the horrific killing of almost all the members of the royal family in 2001, Nepal has effectively returned to an absolute monarchy. King Gyanendra has dismantled much of the parliamentary system of government, dismissing the Prime Minister, the cabinet and parliament and restricting such fundamental democratic rights as freedom of movement and speech. In the context of the continuing savage war between the Maoists revolutionaries and the Nepali army, which has killed 12,000 people, Nepal is now a very dangerous and fearful country in which to live.
Prior to 1990, Christians faced widespread and vicious persecution. Since then, anti-Christian activity has been sporadic and localized, often originating with Hindu fundamentalists who are angry about the rapid spread of the Christian Church. Public evangelism is forbidden as is conversion of Hindus to Christianity, although this does happen in practice.
Prayer Points
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Pray for all those who have suffered bereavement or displacement because of the conflict. |
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Pray for those working for peace and reconciliation in Nepal and for the re-instatement of democratic government. |
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Pray that religious freedom would be enshrined in a new constitution and that, in practice, churches and Christian ministries would also be protected. |
Heavenly Father, we lift the nation of Nepal to You. We ask that those in power and positions of influence would commit themselves to peace and an end to the bloodshed. We pray especially that King Gyanendra would reinstate democratic forms of government and take steps to ensure that religious freedom is protected. Father, comfort and encourage all those who have lost relatives and friends in the conflict. May Your Church play a key role in bringing hope and reconciliation to Nepal. May You protect and guide Your people at this important time in their nation's history. And may Your church continue to grow and be strengthened through Spirit-filled leadership. Amen. |
