Indian Christians Persecuted, Imprisoned

“Anti-Christian persecution in India has intensified significantly over the past few weeks. Churches are being closed. Believers are being harassed, interrogated, and even arrested,” writes a faithful Christian serving the Lord in India.

“Some are losing their government ration cards—their main access to staple goods. For day laborers and farmers who live one day at a time, this is a devastating financial burden. Yet their response remains steadfast.”

“If they want to take our ration card, take it. If they want to take our home, take it. If they want to take our life, take it. We will not turn back. We will not deny Christ.”

Persecuted Christian, India

The worker explained the recent increase in persecution:

“On September 9, the Rajasthan state assembly passed the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill. This new law carries some of the harshest penalties in India—non-bailable arrests, heavy fines, property seizure/demolition, and sentences that can extend up to life imprisonment for anyone accused of ‘illegal’ conversions. The law exempts ‘re-conversion to one’s ancestral religion’—another way of saying that those who deny Christ and return to Hinduism are exempt from penalties.

“But what the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good.”

Imprisoned Christians have had opportunities to share the gospel with large numbers of inmates, several of whom have chosen to follow Christ. Not only that, but multiple delays in processing the Christians’ cases have given them all the more time to train these new believers to share the gospel with others, as well.

“In The Insanity of God, Nik Ripken writes, ‘The reason for persecution is that people keep finding Jesus—and then they refuse to keep Him to themselves.’

“That’s exactly what’s happening. As people keep finding Jesus … persecution is increasing….

“Many traditional churches with buildings, paid pastors, and congregations have not met for the past (few) weeks—a sobering sign of the fear spreading across Rajasthan. In stark contrast, (one) network of house churches continues to gather faithfully in their own homes. While established churches close their doors, these small, multiplying fellowships press on—family to family, neighbor to neighbor, undeterred.

“At this same time, many missionaries have lost their visa status and with that their presence in India over the past year. Now more than ever, the future of the gospel’s advance rests in the hands of local, indigenous believers—men and women who have counted the cost and are determined to make Christ known to every people in every place. They need our support! … We must pray, pray, pray for these believers.

• “Pray for courage, protection, and provision for believers in Rajasthan and across India.
• “Pray for Christians who have been detained to experience God’s peace in the midst of uncertainty.
• “Pray for their release from prison.
• “Pray for wisdom as they face interrogation and interact with police.
• “Pray for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ, even while in jail.
• “Pray for local believers to stand firm with peace and courage during this time.
• “Pray for those who are working on their behalf—that God will give them discernment and favor.
• “Pray for wisdom and opportunity as local believers continue advancing the Kingdom of God.”

More Prayers for India:

• Pray God will place a deep hunger for Him in the hearts of every person in India, awakening them to His love.
• Pray He will break the chains that bind Hindus to more than 3,000 false gods, and set them free to worship Him alone.
• Pray for legislation to be overturned and reversed in states that restrict conversions, and for Christians to be protected by law from brutal attacks. 
• Pray God will block anti-Christian laws from being signed in other Indian states.
• Pray for God to surround every Christian with armies of angels shielding them from persecution and harm.
• Pray persecutors will visibly see those angel armies, tremble in fear of the Lord, repent and be saved.
• Pray God will miraculously rescue Christians who are in danger.
• Pray imprisoned Christians will feel God’s presence near, and He will embolden and anoint them to spread the Good News with the lost who are also in jail.
• Pray for a special anointing on every believer to share the Good News, and that God will bring to them those who are hungry to hear. Pray for boldness to share, even in the face of opposition, and all will see their faith and God’s love demonstrated through them and be drawn to Christ. 
• Pray for the Gospel to reach every one of the 1,332,045,000 people in India in a way they can easily understand, and their hearts will be moved by Truth that sets them free.
• Pray the Bible will be translated into every language in India and made available to every person.
• Pray God will raise up all the more prayer warriors to fight for the peoples of India.
• Pray for pastors, evangelists, churches Christian orphanages, leadership trainings and other ministries in India, that God will bless them abundantly and give them favor with authorities and everyone around them; that He will provide all their needs so abundantly they will also abundantly bless their communities; that He will shine His light in the darkness through them bringing millions to faith; that churches will multiply again and again until every person in all of India has had the opportunity to choose Christ.

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