Despite drastic measures taken by the government to contain the crisis, inflation in Laos continues to rise. The government has imposed import restrictions and ordered the closure of all private money exchangers in the country, with only banks permitted to exchange foreign currencies.

Some retailers have been forced to raise their prices, exacerbating the crisis. Low-income earners and government employees have been hit the hardest.

• Pray for the government of Laos and the country’s economic situation.

• Pray for those struggling during this time. Pray for provision and hope.

Thank you for joining the Vietnamese Christian community in praying for last week’s 2-night evangelistic outreach in Ho Chi Minh city. According to one of our country coordinators, around 42,000 people came and 4,500 responded to the Gospel, giving their lives to Jesus. Praise God for what He has done in Vietnam!

• Pray for the churches in Vietnam as they seek God for guidance in how to disciple and mature the new believers.

• Pray also for the tens of thousands who have heard the Good News but have not yet decided to follow Christ. Pray that the seed planted in their hearts will grow.

• Three hundred local churches from over 70 denominations joined forces in collaboration with the Franklin Graham team to organize this crusade. Pray that unity will continue to be strengthened among the Body of Christ in Vietnam.

The situation in Myanmar is continually affecting students in the country. Recent data shows that the number of high school students registering for a critical exam has plunged by 80%. Ongoing fighting between the military and ethnic armed groups has displaced thousands, making schooling extremely difficult.

Many other families have also stopped sending their children to school because they don’t trust the junta or have sent them to schools run by the shadow National Unity Government.

• The coup also put on hold educational reforms that were being carried out by the former government, including increasing budgets for schooling and implementing a strategic plan to transform the country’s education system and improve learning at all levels.

• Pray for millions of students facing difficulties in their education, especially those living in areas affected by the conflicts. 

• Pray for the church in Myanmar to be a source of hope and strength for the community. Pray that God will open doors for the church to reach out to students and provide help in their education.  

Ram Chandra Paudel, a veteran Nepali Congress leader, has been elected as Nepal's third president. He was chosen by an electoral college made up of members from the federal parliament and seven provincial legislators. Paudel is a former speaker, and a six-time lawmaker and has held various ministerial positions, including the interior ministry.

Nepal is a parliamentary democracy with a ceremonial president as head of the state, but during times of political crisis, the president can play a key function in government formation.

• Pray for the political leaders and government officials of Nepal.

• Pray for the people of Nepal, that they may experience peace amid the political challenges. 

Xi Jinping has been re-elected to a third five-year term as China's president, following a consolidation of power that has elevated him to the country's most powerful leader in generations.

The nearly 3,000 members of China's National People's Congress (NPC) voted unanimously for Xi after the constitution was changed to remove the traditional two-term limit for the post.

• Pray for Xi Jinping and other Chinese government leaders, that they may exercise their power with compassion, justice, and wisdom.

• Pray for the Church in China, to continue to grow and thrive despite challenges and restrictions. 

An internal feud is threatening the unity of the Church of Pakistan, a union of Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Lutherans. The tensions stem from allegations of corruption and bias in bishop elections. This has caused division within the community, with concerns raised about the impact on the church and its members.

• Pray that the works of the enemy seeking to create division in the Body of Christ will not prevail. 
  

• Pray for peace and unity within the Protestant church in Pakistan, that the conflict may be resolved peacefully and in a way that brings reconciliation to all involved.

• Pray for wisdom upon church leaders and members. Pray that they remain firm in their faith and the Word amid current circumstances. 

According to officials last week, more asylum seekers from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts have trickled into the Mizoram-Bangladesh-Myanmar border area. 

Bangladesh asylum seekers have been taking refuge in the state after repeated armed clashes between the Bangladesh army and the Kuki-Chin National Army, fighting for a separate state in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

• Pray for the safety and protection of villagers from the clashes in conflict zones.

• Pray for believers in the area, our country coordinator shared that the people continue to hope in prayer for the present situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Pray for God’s peace to reign.

• Please keep our team in Bangladesh in your prayers. Pray for wisdom, strength, and encouragement during this difficult time.

Sri Lanka postponed its local elections from March 9 to April 25 after the Supreme Court ordered the Election Commission to hold the elections as soon as possible.

The delay was due to the government's claim that there were no funds to print ballot papers amidst an ongoing economic crisis, which prompted the opposition to seek court intervention to release necessary funds.

• This election will choose new administrations for 340 local councils for a four-year term.

• Pray for the upcoming election. Pray that the process will be free from any form of violence and intimidation. 

• Continue to lift the country’s economic and political situation to God.

According to the UN, Taliban restrictions on women's and girls' rights have "effectively trapped" the majority of them in their homes, making Afghanistan the "most repressive" country in the world for women.

The United Nations' statement on International Women's Day comes as female activists gathered in Kabul's streets for a second day to protest the ruling Taliban's ban on girls' access to education and work.

• Pray for the protection and safety of women and girls in Afghanistan who are facing severe restrictions and discrimination under Taliban rule.
  

• Pray that opportunities to grow and thrive would not be snatched away from young girls and women in this nation.