Buddhist Prayer Guide 2026

Most Isaan people hold deeply to the belief that accessing the power of many religious systems is better than committing to a single belief system.  Bowing down to multiple gods and power sources characterizes many people’s lives.  Men in particular will wear a necklace of talisman objects, and it is all too easy to add the Christian cross to the milieu.  Often, the first question after people hear a simple Gospel explanation is, ‘Can I be Buddhist and Christian at the same time?’

The syncretized collection of beliefs and power sources in the Buddhism of Northeast Thailand becomes the focus and key obstacle in the discipleship of new believers. As new Buddhist background believers take their first steps of obedience, they will have the concern that maybe Jesus is not enough, and they should keep a few more idols around just in case Jesus can’t handle certain situations.  Exclusive claims like “All power in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus…” become an essential first step to growing in faith and obedience as a disciple of Jesus.

A Christian was out running along the Mekong riverfront with a local Buddhist.  The Buddhist raised his palms to the top of his head (making a traditional Wai to a holy object) as we passed three Buddhist temples.  He then showed respect to the Chinese ancestor temple, then to the ancient lord of the underworld Paya Naka (Seven-headed Naga snake). Later, we passed a large tree with sacred cloths tied around it.  It is held that the spirit of the land lives in the tree and should be respected. We rounded out the run, and he gave a Wai (a traditional Thai greeting gesture) to the Catholic Church.

I asked him if he was confused about where real help for his life comes from, since he showed respect for multiple, contradictory belief systems.  He seemed confused by the question. In his thinking, ten sources of power will be better for a prosperous life than five, and a single belief system is inherently weaker and less certain.

Let’s Pray

• Pray for wisdom for those discipling new believers among Isaan people with a Buddhist background to understand the complete adequacy of Christ to lead and care for His people both in this life and for eternity.
• Pray for power encounters that give evidence of Christ. Nearly every Buddhist background believer has a story of divine healing, exorcism or some other remarkable demonstration of Christ’s power in their life.
• Pray that people will see the light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ, the very image of God (2 Cor. 4:3-4).