For to Southern Asia a son is given, he will be called Prince of Peace.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace(Isaiah 9:6,NIV).
》 Region Profile
Population | Approximately 313 million
Area | 5,994,935 km² (Southern Asia is a key region connecting Europe and Africa.)
Capital City | Conakry (2.11 million people)
Major Ethnic Groups | Kurds, Druze, Assyrians, Azerbaijanis, Persian Jews, among others
People Groups Unreached | 29 groups (86.9% of the population)
Languages | Arabic, Persian
Religions | Christianity, Islam, Secular/Non-Religious, Hinduism, Buddhism, Folk Religions, Other Religions, Judaism
》 About Southern Asia
Southern Asia includes countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Afghanistan. This region is also known as the Indian subcontinent, covering about 10% of the continent’s total area. Except for Nepal, all Southern Asian countries were once under British colonial rule and later gained independence.
The region faced significant challenges due to ethnic and religious conflicts, leading to civil wars, terrorism, and other forms of unrest, and these issues continue to this day. Southern Asia is one of the most densely populated regions in the world, with a rapidly growing population. Although the region occupies only about one-third of Asia’s land area, it is home to over 1.6 billion people. The population density here is 305 people per km², which is seven times the global average, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The region is also closely associated with ongoing civil wars, religious and ethnic strife, poverty, and hunger.
Economy | In 1985, seven southern Asian countries (excluding Afghanistan) established the southern Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to enhance cooperation aimed at recovering lagging economic growth and eradicating poverty. However, there is a widespread perception among the southern Asian countries that India would be the biggest beneficiary of the southern Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA). As a result, the other countries have not actively participated in SAFTA.
In Southern Asian countries, the service industry is the most developed, while the growth of manufacturing is relatively slow. Due to the similarities in industrial structures, export items overlap, primarily including textiles, agricultural products, and services. This overlap has led to a lack of active trade within the region, as member countries tend to view other member states merely as export markets.
Religion | Southern Asia is the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism. The region predominantly practices Hinduism (84%) and Islam (10%), along with Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other religions. Hinduism and Islam are particularly dominant, exerting a strong influence over the daily lives of the people, often strictly regulating them through religious authority. The religious factor also played a significant role in the independence movements of these countries after World War II.
》 Scripture focus
| Isaiah 9:1-7(NIV) 1. Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan- 2. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. |
》 Prayer Points
1. The significance of religion in this region is profound, as evidenced by the 1947 partition of India (Hinduism) and Pakistan (Islam). In India, Hinduism’s influence is so strong that cows are considered sacred, making livestock farming impossible—this is just one example of how religion shapes daily life. India also has around 3,000 different castes based on religion, occupation, and ethnicity. This caste system creates deep social divisions, which remain one of the biggest challenges in Indian society.
Let us pray that the name of God, who governs with justice and righteousness, will be proclaimed throughout southern Asia.
Let us also pray that the spiritual darkness, which has enslaved lives in the name of religion, will be broken by the light of the gospel. May the Lord save the souls in this land, take His rightful place as the true King, and restore His people to experience genuine freedom and joy.
2. Pray for peace in Southern Asia, where deep-rooted religious conflicts underlie ongoing territorial disputes, such as between India and Pakistan, India and China, the Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka, and the Afghan government with the Taliban. External involvement from nations like the U.S. and China has further fueled these conflicts.
Let us pray that the gospel would be proclaimed across the region, so that people may come to know Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and experience true peace under His rule.
3. Situated at the crossroads between the East and the West, Southern Asia is a region deeply rooted in biblical history. Despite its complex history of conflict and power struggles between different peoples, pray that the message of Jesus Christ will unite this region. Pray that southern Asia will become a strategic base for the spread of the gospel throughout the world.
As the world watches the ongoing disputes and problems in southern Asia, ask the Lord to bring an end to the conflicts and turmoil so that the light of Christ will shine on this suffering land and draw nations to Him. Pray that the countries of southern Asia will be transformed into channels for the gospel.
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