Major Religions in the 10/40 Window
Hinduism
Total Population: Approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide.
Unreached Population: Estimates suggest that over 1 billion Hindus remain unreached.
Location: Primarily concentrated in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, with significant populations in other parts of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the diaspora.
Major Beliefs: Hinduism is a polytheistic religion with a diverse range of beliefs and practices. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things, karma, reincarnation, and the pursuit of spiritual liberation (moksha).
Challenges to Reach: Hinduism’s caste system can create barriers to evangelism, as well as the religious and cultural significance of certain practices.
How to Pray: Ask God to reveal Himself to Hindus in ways that speak to their rich spiritual traditions, and for a deep hunger to arise for truth that transcends rituals and caste divisions. Pray for the breaking of cultural barriers that hinder their encounter with Christ’s love and for bold, Spirit-led conversations with believers.
Islam
Total Population: Approximately 2.3 billion people worldwide.
Unreached Population: Estimates suggest that over 1 billion Muslims remain unreached.
Location: Primarily concentrated in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, with significant populations in other parts of the world.
Major Beliefs: Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims believe is the word of God revealed to the prophet Muhammad. It emphasizes submission to Allah, the five pillars of Islam, and the afterlife.
Challenges to Reach: Islam is often seen as a closed religion, with strict adherence to its teachings. Political and social factors can also create challenges for evangelism.
How to Pray: Intercede for Muslims, that God would encounter them through dreams, visions, and miraculous signs, particularly in regions where the Gospel is restricted. Pray for their eyes to be opened to the peace and assurance found in Jesus, and for strength and courage for those who come to faith under difficult circumstances.
Buddhism
Total Population: Approximately 500 million people worldwide.
Unreached Population: Estimates suggest that over 300 million Buddhists remain unreached.
Location: Primarily concentrated in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, with significant populations in other parts of the world.
Major Beliefs: Buddhism is a non-theistic religion that emphasizes the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the goal of achieving nirvana. It focuses on the nature of suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.
Challenges to Reach: Buddhism’s emphasis on personal enlightenment and its diverse traditions can create challenges for evangelism.
How to Pray: Pray that the teachings of Jesus will resonate with Buddhists as they search for inner peace and the cessation of suffering. Ask God to gently guide them away from the pursuit of enlightenment toward the freedom of salvation. Pray for workers who can share the Gospel in a way that aligns with their worldview and offers them hope.
Indigenous Religions
Total Population: Approximately 150-200 million people worldwide.
Unreached Population: Estimates suggest that over 130 million of them remain unreached.
Location: Widely distributed across the 10/40 Window, particularly in India, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, and various African nations.
Major Beliefs: Indigenous religions vary widely in their beliefs and practices, but often involve animism, ancestor worship, and a connection to the natural world.
Challenges to Reach: Indigenous religions may be deeply rooted in cultural and social traditions, making them resistant to outside influences.
How to Pray: Lift up indigenous communities, asking for the light of the Gospel to shine through their rich traditions and connection to the natural world. Pray for respectful and compassionate outreach that preserves the beauty of their cultures while introducing them to the Creator. Ask for protection from exploitation and for the healing of historical wounds caused by outside influences.
Animism
Total Population: Estimates vary, but it’s believed that millions of people worldwide practice animism.
Unreached Population: Many animist communities remain unreached, especially in remote or marginalized areas.
Location: Primarily concentrated in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia.
Major Beliefs: Animism is a belief in the existence of spirits or deities that inhabit natural objects and phenomena. It emphasizes harmony with nature and the spiritual world.
Challenges to Reach: Animism can be deeply intertwined with cultural practices and traditions, making it difficult to separate religious beliefs from cultural identity.
How to Pray: Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to animist communities in a way that honors their cultural heritage while also introducing them to the true Creator. Ask for protection from exploitation and for the healing of historical wounds caused by outside influences.
Sikhism
Total Population: Approximately 30 million people worldwide.
Unreached Population: Sikhism is considered largely unreached, with most adherents living in northern India.
Location: Primarily concentrated in India, with significant populations in Canada, the UK, the United States, and Malaysia.
Major Beliefs: Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that emphasizes the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors. It focuses on equality, social justice, and service to humanity.
Challenges to Reach: Sikhism has a strong sense of identity and community, which can create challenges for evangelism.
How to Pray: Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to Sikhs in a way that resonates with their commitment to justice and equality. Ask for boldness and sensitivity for believers who reach out to the Sikh community, and for opportunities for meaningful, Spirit-led conversations.