The Global Day of Prayer for Buddhist Families is the first of the Four Global Days of Prayer, uniting believers from across the world to intercede for the 110 Cities and for the millions of Buddhists who have yet to encounter Jesus, the Deliverer. This initiative coincides with Lunar New Year, a time when Buddhists seek peace, prosperity, and renewal. Lunar New Year traditions originally stem from the belief in fending off the spirit Xi, a creature thought to bring destruction. Families placed meat at their doors and hid, hoping for protection. Though customs have evolved, the longing for peace and protection remains. Just as the Israelites marked their doors with lamb’s blood at Passover, we pray that as Buddhists seek protection and blessing, they encounter Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood brings true peace and deliverance.

Why Pray for Buddhist Families?

• Endless Striving: Many Buddhists strive for enlightenment through meditation, ethical living, and rituals, often blind to the freedom found in God’s grace. Uncertainty of karma and the pursuit of merit leave many in fear of their eternal fate. Jesus, who offers rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28), provides true liberation—freedom from endless striving and self-reliance.

• Unreached Populations: Over 99% of the world’s 500 million Buddhists live in Asia, with more than 85% never encountering a Jesus Follower. In countries like China and Myanmar, government restrictions and geographic isolation have left entire communities without access to the Gospel. Despite the growth of underground churches, millions remain spiritually isolated, highlighting the urgency of reaching these populations.

• Cultural and Governmental Barriers: In China, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam, 260 million Buddhists live under regimes that suppress religious freedom. In China, Xi Jinping’s “Sinicization” policies force churches to adopt socialist ideology, mirroring Maoist control. Jesus Followers are persecuted, surveilled, and forced underground.

How to Engage

On Lunar New Year, you’ll be joining over 110 million intercessors worldwide praying for Kingdom Movements to take root among Buddhist families. Using the resources below, you choose how to pray, where to pray, and with whom to pray. This is not a centralized prayer gathering– you are the prayer leader! So grab your family and friends and let’s pray together “Your Kingdom Come!”