Pray for Laos
Waterfalls and turquoise pools in the forest near Luang Prabang, Laos.
Photo: NruasPaoYPP, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Laos
The capital is Vientiane. People speak Lao. The largest faith is Buddhism.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Laos
Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
At the end of August, days of heavy rain flooded all five districts of Luang Namtha province, affecting about 25,000 people, sweeping away homes and damaging roads and buildings. Other parts of the country faced storms and flood warnings through the rainy season. Many families are still recovering.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Laos is a one party state led by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Thongloun Sisoulith is Party General Secretary and President. On 5 October 2026 the National Assembly elected Saleumxay Kommasith, a former foreign minister, as Prime Minister, and his predecessor Sonexay Siphandone became President of the National Assembly.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
Growth is expected to be about 4% in 2026. Inflation was about 8% in the first half of the year and may rise further, driven by fuel and food prices. Reports describe heavy borrowing, debt repayments and a weak currency, and the new government says food production and monetary stability are priorities.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
About half the people are Lao, with the Khmu, Hmong and many other peoples in the hills and villages. Remote villages are the hardest to reach after floods and storms. Unexploded bombs from past wars still kill or injure people each year.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
About two in three people in Laos are Buddhist, and almost a third follow traditional beliefs or no religion, according to the 2015 census. Christians are about 2%. Christian communities are growing especially in rural areas.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
The constitution gives the right to believe or not to believe, and four faiths, including Christianity, are officially recognised. Religious groups need state approval for many activities under Decree 315. The US State Department has reported that in some rural provinces local officials have pressured Christians to give up their faith, detained them or forced them from their villages.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
Between 1964 and 1973 more than two million tons of bombs were dropped on Laos, and many millions of them never exploded. The civil war ended in 1975, when the Pathet Lao came to power. As many as 200,000 Hmong went into exile, and memories of war and loss remain.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Laos. Bring relief to families hit by the floods in Luang Namtha and across the country. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to the President, the new Prime Minister and all in authority. Provide for every family as prices rise, and give honest stewardship of the nation and its debts. Protect the peoples of the hills and all who live with the danger of unexploded bombs. Let the hope of Your truth be made known in every village. Keep believers safe, and give them courage and freedom to worship. Heal the deep wounds of war and lead Laos in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- KPL Lao News Agency: Luang Namtha flooding damage (Sept 2026)
- AP via ABC News: Laos names new prime minister (Oct 2026)
- Viet Nam News: congratulations to newly elected Lao leaders (Oct 2026)
- The Star: slower growth, higher inflation for Laos (Jul 2026)
- US State Department: 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom, Laos
- Wikipedia: Laos, people and history
More ways to pray
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