Death at the Feet of a Man-god

At least 121 people died and 35 others were injured Tuesday in a crowd crush in India, after self-proclaimed god-man Bhole Baba preached.

An estimated 80,000 people were expected to attend the satsang, or Hindu prayer meeting, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. But perhaps 250,000 people showed, and when Baba completed his sermon, the crowd surged and crushed one another.

One administrator said the surge happened as the masses reached to touch Baba as he left the stage. Others in the crowd said they hurried to escape the stifling heat and humidity in the tightly packed multitudes.

Most of those killed were women who fell into an open sewer near the venue. At least seven children also died.

The term “Bhole Baba” normally refers to the god Shiva. The legions who follow Suraj Pal Singh, a former Uttar Pradesh policeman, believe he has divine power to alleviate suffering. But since this event which caused such catastrophic suffering, the “god” is now in hiding.

Lord, please grip Suraj with fear of the Lord. Meet him in dreams and visions. Speak to him loudly. Show him who You are, and the true way of salvation. Break him free from the demonic forces that have used him for evil, uttering lies hundreds of thousands have believed. Set him free to surrender his life to the only One who is Truth. Comfort those who mourn the death of loved ones now, but most of all, give every person who survived the event a desperate hunger for Truth. Now that they have seen that placing their faith in a false god doesn’t alleviate suffering, but brings all the more and ends in death, remind them of each time they have bowed to idols. Make every ritual feel hollow and wrong. Give them courage to defy tradition and seek You with all their hearts until they find You, Jesus. Make a way for them to hear Your Word preached such that they truly understand, and lift the veil from their eyes so they can see You as You are. Break the chains that have bound them to demons holding them prisoner to fear, darkness, lies and idol worship. Bring loving Christians to them to tell them Your plan of salvation, and let them look on those Christians with favor and open hearts to listen and believe. Show them dreams, visions, miracles and, most of all, Your grace and love. Give them courage to forsake all other gods and follow You only. Then use those new converts to lead their families, communities and whole unreached people groups to faith in Christ. We ask You, God of Light, for a huge breakthrough among Hindus. Break through the deep darkness that is all they have ever known with Your eternal and glorious light. Show them You are the only Way, Truth and Life. When they hear Your good news, grip them with the understanding that You are the One they’ve been longing for, and open wide their hearts to receive You. We ask You, Father, for a Great Awakening in Uttar Pradesh and all of India, with millions laying down their gods to worship You alone. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:

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