This region's four major Theravada Buddhist countries marked the start of a new Buddhist year the past week. Thailand's Songkran, Cambodia's Chol Chnam Thmey, Laos' Bun Pi Mai, and Myanmar's Thingyan take place within days of each other, derived from the Buddhist calendar, and scheduled to coincide with the end of the planting season. The festivals last for three to five days.

For many, it is a crucial date on the sacred calendar associated with renewal, purification, and celebration. People engage in traditional activities such as cleansing Buddha images, giving alms to monks, visiting temples, and pouring water over one another, which symbolizes the washing away of sins and bad luck from the previous year and welcoming the new year with a fresh start.

• Pray for these countries with large Buddhist populations. There are over 150 million Buddhists in the Indochina region.
  

• Let us pray for the people of these countries celebrating the new year, that they may encounter the true source of purification and renewal, Jesus Christ, who cleanses them of their sins and gives them new life.

Please pray for another Youth Camp taking place next week at Mae La Camp, from April 19th to 21st. The camp is expected to have around 120-150 participants from 6 hostels. Pray for guidance for the teachers and participants, that they may experience Christ in this camp.

North Korea fired a new model of a long-range ballistic missile on Thursday, causing a panic in northern Japan, where residents were urged to take cover, but there was no threat.

• Lift the leaders of North Korea in prayer. Pray that they turn away from their aggressive approaches.

• Pray for transformation to take place in the government, and that there will be a change in their national priority plans.

Independent Christian churches in Faisalabad, Pakistan are facing harassment from the Federal Investigation Agency, which has issued notices to pastors, Sunday school teachers, and charity officials to present their financial dealings for suspicion of money laundering.

• Church leaders believe this move is an attempt to harass Christians.

• Pray for the authorities in Pakistan to act with justice and fairness in this investigation and not use this to discriminate against Christians.

• Pray for the safety and protection of all Christians in Pakistan, who face persecution and discrimination in various forms. Ask God to give them strength, courage, and wisdom.

On April 12, thousands of Christians were joined by Hindus and Muslims in India's financial capital Mumbai to protest rising violence against Christians and places of worship.

The protest gathering of 7,000-8,000 persons, led by a federation of 80 Christian NGOs under the banner of Samast Christi Samaj (All Christian Community), handed over a memorandum with 20 demands to Eknath Shinde, the chief minister of Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital.

• Almost a dozen Indian states have passed anti-conversion laws. Most of them are ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP is a coalition partner in Maharashtra's government led by Eknath Shinde.

• Pray for the leaders of India, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, that they may recognize the demands of those protesting and work towards protecting the rights of all citizens.

•  Pray for God's protection and guidance for all believers in India facing violence and persecution.

Around 450 religious leaders, trade unions, and activists have united to oppose a proposed anti-terrorism law, calling it unnecessary and a threat to democracy. The Anti-Terrorism Act is set to replace the current Prevention of Terrorism Act, which has been widely criticized for its use as a tool to suppress dissent and detain activists, lawyers, religious leaders, journalists, student leaders, opposition politicians, and human rights defenders. Critics argue that the new law is not necessary since existing laws are sufficient to combat terrorism.

• Pray for justice and protection for individuals who have been unjustly detained or targeted under the current Prevention of Terrorism Act.