About 80% of India’s 1.4 billion people are Hindu, a religion with countless rituals to appease some 330 million gods. With such a vast number of devotees, deadly stampedes are commonplace during Hindu festivals.
Last Wednesday, at least 30 devotees, but possibly thousands died or were injured in a crowd crush, as some of the 80-100 million Hindus in attendance of Maha Kumbh Mela (January 13 – February 26) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, rushed to bathe in dirty river water, seeking cleansing for their sins and an end to reincarnation.
Just a few days earlier, a fire incident on a train in Maharashtra State prompted passengers to leap from their coaches, at which moment an oncoming train killed 12 and injured at least six others. With nearly 95% of India unreached, it is unlikely any of these people in either tragedy ever heard the gospel.
As political movements push for a Hindu nation, mobs of extremists have violently attacked Christians and churches in many areas throughout India. In addition, authorities often arrest pastors and other believers for sharing the gospel with Hindus. Even so, several church planting movements are happening now across that nation, with hundreds, even thousands turning to Christ.
Lord, please have mercy for Indians who have never heard the good news of Your love and salvation. Give dreams and visions to every one of the hundreds of thousands of Hindus attending Maha Kumbh and to the families now mourning loved ones who died during the events mentioned above. Show them Your plan for their salvation, that Christ is their one-and-only Way to truly be cleansed of sin and have eternal life. Break the chains that bind them to false gods/demons, and give them a hunger for Truth to set them free. Bring Christians to them to show them Your love and share with them Your good news. Make the Bible available in every language of the more than 2,272 people groups in India. Awaken every heart and lift the veil from their eyes so they will see You as You truly are. Give them courage to lay down idol worship and follow You alone. Grow every church and follower of Christ in India strong in their faith and protect them from evil attacks. Be a mighty Shield around every Christian, so when angry Hindus or Muslims come against them, persecutors will see Your angels protecting those who love You, fall on their faces before You in fear of the Lord as Paul did on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), and at last choose You as their Savior. Yes, Lord, bring forth Your kingdom in the heart of every person, home and village. Awaken India to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who have spent many years sharing Christ in a dark area of the world where Christians are persecuted. They trust in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ among the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by finding gifts for those you love at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:
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