Yao or Dao

The Yao (also called Iu Mien or the Dao in Vietnam) people began migrating from southern China to northern Vietnam in the 1700s. Researchers have found that blood sacrifices were used in ancient Yao religious practices in order to right a wrong and appease the spirits that they worshipped. Pray that many Yao in northern Vietnam will come to know the Lamb of God who gave His life that they might receive forgiveness and have a personal relationship with the Most High God.

The Yao (Dao) at a Glance

  • Yao Population in Vietnam: 751,000 (also living in China, France, Laos, Thailand, and the United States)
  • Primary Language: Iu Mien
  • Primary Occupation: Farming
  • Average Income: $70 per month (estimate)
  • Average Education Level: 8th grade
  • Primary Religion: Taoism / Animism
  • Number of Known Christians: More than 4,000
  • Christian Resources Currently Available: Complete Bible, the Jesus film, Christian radio broadcasts
  • Status: No Longer Unreached; Approximately 26% Evangelical

Pray for the Yao

Use the requests, prayers, and Scripture below to guide your prayers for the Yao over the next week.

Monday

Please pray for the more than 4,000 Yao believers. Ask that they will have a growing, intimate walk with the Lord and that they will have a zeal and passion to share the Gospel with their family and friends. Pray that there will soon be a church in every Yao village.

All the earth bows down to You. They sing praise to You. They sing praise to Your name. I pray the Yao will come and see what You have done. How awesome are Your works on their behalf. You rule forever by Your power and Your eyes watch over the Yao. (Psalm 66:4-7)

Tuesday

Ask God to send out many Vietnamese and Yao church planters who are called to evangelize the Yao. Pray especially for Yao church planters who have experienced persecution because of their faith. Ask God to soften the hearts of the Yao and that they would have a growing desire to know the Creator God.

Father, I come boldly and with confidence before Your throne of grace today to stand in the gap for the Yao people. Lord, you have posted me as a watchman on the walls of the Yao people. I will never be silent, day or night. I will call on You, Lord, and give You no rest till You establish the Yao and make them the praise of the earth. (Heb. 4:16; Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 62:6,7)

Wednesday

Pray that God will use the Yao Christian short-wave radio broadcasts to reach many Yao for Christ. Pray also that many Yao will have an opportunity to see the Jesus Film in their language and that they will respond to the Good News presented in the film.

O Lord, the gospel has been veiled to the Yao people who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of the Yao, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. Lord, when You said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” You made Your light shine in the hearts of the Yao and gave them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)

Thursday

Pray that Yao Christians that live in southern China will have a burden to come plant churches among the Yao of northern Vietnam. Pray that Yao churches will spring up all over northern Vietnam and southern China.

I pray the Yao people will praise You, Lord; that their souls, their inmost beings, would praise Your holy name. I ask that the Yao not forget Your benefits. Father, You forgive all the sins of the Yao and heal all of their diseases. You are the One who redeems their lives from the pit and You crown the Yao with love and compassion. Lord, I ask that You would satisfy their desires with good things and that their youth would be renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5)

Friday

Ask God to call out short-term volunteer teams to travel to northern Vietnam to prayer walk in Yao villages. Ask that God will lead them to "people of peace" who are open to the Gospel.

I pray that all the Yao will remember and turn to You and that all the families of the Yao will bow down before You, for dominion belongs to You, Lord, and You rule over the Yao people. (Psalm 22:27-28)

Saturday

Please pray for the leaders of the Vietnamese government. Ask God to give them wisdom in governing the country. Pray that they would not do anything that will hinder the flow of the gospel.

No one is like You, O Lord; You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. Who should not revere You? You are King over all those You have placed in authority. This is Your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like You. (Jeremiah 10:6-7)

Sunday

Pray for the Yao Christians who are experiencing persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. They are under intense pressure to renounce their faith and return to the worship of spirits. Ask God to surround them with His strength and that they would stand strong in these difficult circumstances.

Lord, build up the Yao, gather them, heal their broken hearts, bind up their wounds and cure their pain and their sorrows. Father, You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 147:2-6 AMP; 34:18)