Pastor T. T. Abraham Photo from GCIC |
At approximately 11:15 a.m. on January 22, Pastor T. T. Abraham (52) was distributing Bible tracts in Vaithiry, Kerala state when he was beaten and kicked by three Hindu militants. The assailants fled when they saw a rickshaw driving by. Pastor Abraham sustained injuries to his neck, stomach and back.
On January 24, approximately 500 Christians were attacked by Hindus when they attempted to return home by boat from Majuli Island in Assam state, where the believers had attended a priest's consecration service. The Hindus hurled insults at the Christians, accused them of forcible conversion, and beat several people. The Christians fled in fear and did not return to the boat dock until later in the evening, when they were able to leave the island under police supervision.
On January 26, members of the Navjivan Fellowship Church were conducting a baptism in the city of Gangapur, Maharashtra state when a group of Hindu militants armed with cricket stumps, iron rods and sticks arrived. Shouting "Jai Shri Ram" (hail to Lord Ram), the militants beat those present, including women and children. They also damaged the car of one Christian. One believer was injured in the head and others sustained broken limbs.
Pray for healing for those injured in these attacks. Pray that those who accuse Christians of forcible conversion will be silenced. Ask God to enable Christians in India to grow in Christlikeness through their trials (James 1:2-4).
For more on Christians suffering for their faith in India, click here.