Pray for Laos

Centuries ago, Laos was home to the Kingdom of Lan Xang, or the “Land of a Million Elephants.” Its power, trade, and culture made it one of Southeast Asia’s most influential kingdoms for more than 350 years. Though the kingdom is long gone, the people of Laos still take great pride in their history. Its influence can still be seen in the Buddhist temples and golden shrines found across the country. Currently, Laos is one of the few communist nations left in the world. After about 60 years of French rule, communist forces took control in 1975 and gave power to the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

Laos has fallen far from its former glory. Today it remains one of Asia’s poorest and least developed nations after being closed off from the world for decades. About 75 percent of the country’s 7.5 million people depend on farming and natural resources, leaving many vulnerable to poverty. Human trafficking remains a serious problem as criminal groups force people into labor and sex work. The Hmong, a minority group that opposed the communist takeover, continue to suffer from discrimination, violence, forced relocation, and disappearances. Recent economic reforms have reduced poverty, but the country still depends heavily on foreign investment and aid.

Following the communist takeover, Christianity was declared an enemy of the state. Countless Christians fled the nation, and those who remained had to meet in secret. Buddhism was once suppressed by those in power but is again supported and now openly practiced. Today, about two-thirds of Laotians follow Buddhism along with traditional spirit worship. Christianity is a legally recognized religion, but open churches are closely scrutinized. Many churches must meet in secret because they are not allowed to worship freely. Intense persecution and restrictions still occur at local levels, especially in rural areas where Christians are driven from their homes, treated as outcasts, and sometimes even killed while higher authorities ignore the injustice. Despite this, local Christians are working faithfully and seeing encouraging signs of growth.