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• Church Members Brutally Assaulted by Radicals

  A village in India.

  Christians in a village of India's Chhattisgarh state have reportedly been brutally assaulted by Hindu radicals following the passing of a resolution banning all non-Hindu religious activities in the village.

  The incident took place in Karmeri village on September 8th. According to local sources, a mob of over 50 Hindu radicals gathered and surrounded the premises of a church at around 4 p.m. Before any of the believers could ask what was happening, the radicals attacked, assaulting them with wooden clubs and sticks.

  When some of the targeted women confronted the radicals, they were brutally beaten with wooden clubs and fists. Two of the Christian women, Pulo Bhai, 40, and Ludri, 35, were seriously injured in the assault and, as a result, had collapsed to an unconscious state.

  Tensions between Karmeri's Christian and Hindu communities mounted when construction of a church began in the village. Once news of the church building spread, Suresh Yadav, the district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (a Hindu nationalist organization), convened a village meeting. As a result of the meeting, a resolution was passed banning all non-Hindu religious propaganda, prayers and speeches throughout the entire village. This resolution is similar to ones passed in 50 other villages within the state -- all intended to effectively make Christianity illegal.

  Other reports on the challenges facing Christians in the country of India can be reviewed at our India Country Report.

  Ask the Lord to minister His healing power upon each of the women who were beaten, including Pulo Bhai and Ludri, fully restoring them to good health. May the local believers of these villages be granted His favour and abundant provision for all their day-to-day needs. Pray that they will also be greatly encouraged and strengthened -- having an increased resolve to not give up their faith nor refrain from meeting together for worship. Additionally, pray that the witness of these Christians will be faithful, forgiving and filled with love for their persecutors so their example may be used by the Lord to bring many Hindus to salvation.

• Youth Grateful for God's Presence

  In August of 2008, the assassination of a Hindu leader led to a massive wave of mob violence against Christians in Orissa. Militant Hindus had been looking for an excuse to stop evangelism, and the uproar surrounding the assassination provided them an outlet. The violence spread rampantly throughout the state, destroying thousands of Christian homes and churches, while consequently forcing over 100,000 believers to seek government protection or hide in the jungle.

  Jisaya was just six years old when his family was chased from the state of Orissa during the 2008 upheaval. "We were so helpless at that time," he says in retrospect. It was the Sideras International School, one of the children's homes supported by VOM Canada, that enabled Jisaya's family to provide for him. Though uprooted, his parents continued in ministry, grateful for the care and education VOM Canada donors have made available to their son.

  Recently, we received the following praise report from Jisaya who is now 13 years old: "(God) is blessing me abundantly in my study, as well as in my personal life. By His grace and mercy, I was able to succeed in my study. He has given me His presence in my life yesterday, today, and I hope...also in the upcoming days."

  The effects of the 2008 wave of violence are still being felt by many of its victims today. Unfortunately, the pattern of "mob justice" against Christians remains a tremendous concern. Accused of "forced conversion," many believers have been mercilessly burned alive. With regards to governmental justice, India's new "religious freedom" laws, in fact, only pose further discrimination against India's Christian minority.

  Thankfully, God is continuing to remind these believers that they are not alone and, as in the case of Jisaya, their suffering shall not be in vain, for He has promised to somehow use it for greater blessing. You can learn more about persecution in India from our country report.

  Praise the Lord for His ongoing faithfulness in ministering to the victims of violence through the provision of the children's homes. Please pray for the families of those who've been martyred, granting them continued courage and provision. Also uphold all the dedicated men and women who compassionately care for these children of the persecuted. May the Lord grant the caregivers wisdom and endurance in their vital discipleship work. Finally, pray for open doors -- and receptive hearts -- so the Gospel can reach multitudes throughout the nation of India; those who would otherwise be hopelessly lost.

• Christian Torturously Slain for his Witness

  Pastor Sadavir’s wife and two of his three children

  Brother "Sadavir" regularly shared his faith among members of India's Koya tribe in the thick forest of the Dantewada district. It eventually cost the husband and father of three his life.

  Fearing the loss of their cultural identity, members of the Koya tribe attacked Brother Sadavir in 2010 and then again in 2012. Despite these previous attacks, Sadavir's ministry faithfully continued -- until a knock on his door at 1 a.m. took place on January 22nd. When his wife "Jani" opened the door, she was confronted by an angry mob of 200 people. The mob was composed of both Koyas and Naxalites, members of India's Communist guerrilla groups. Before she could say anything, the mob forcibly entered the home, grabbing Sadavir and taking him away. Jani frantically ran after the group into the forest, pleading for her husband's safety and release. "We will not do anything to him," she was told. "Go, and in the morning get food for him and come to our camp."

  The next morning, Jani, joined by Sadavir's mother and sisters, began the long walk to the camp, finally arriving at about 1:30 p.m. At the camp, the Naxalite leaders were told by others affiliated with the mob, "(Sadavir) is converting all of our people to Christianity by bribing them, and he's giving all your information to the police." The abductors then tied the Christian man to a tree and -- in front of his wife, mother and sisters -- began beating his legs with bamboo sticks while accusing, "You are spoiling our culture by converting our people to Christians!" They beat him until his flesh was hanging from his bones. Then they killed him by piercing his chest with a trishula, a three-pronged spear and an important Hindu symbol.

  The killers initially kept Sadavir's body, out of fear that his wife would notify the police. When Jani begged them for her husband's body, they finally gave in under one condition: that the body would be burned, not buried, as his murderers wanted no evidence of the crime. VOM is now supporting the 27-year-old widow and her three children during this difficult time as they deal with the aftermath of such horrendous trauma and loss.

  Please lift up in prayer this mourning widow and her three young children, as well as other loved ones who are sharing their immense grief, asking the Lord to personally minister to each one of them through the power of His Holy Spirit. Also request that every need of this suffering family be sovereignly met through the support of the local community and ministries like VOM. Additionally, ask that this gruesome attack will somehow be used for God's glory and as a means of drawing more Koya people into a saving relationship with His beloved Son Jesus.

  For more information on India's persecuted church, visit this page.

• Faithful Widow's Life Counts for Eternity

  Vani ministered to many imprisoned women and their guards.

  A 31-year-old widow in India is being remembered, following her recent death from a heart attack, for demonstrating bold faith -- a faith that compelled her to help numerous women in jail find freedom in Christ, including one of the prison guards.

  Vani, who is survived by an eight-year-old daughter, spent 15 days in jail roughly 10 months ago for sharing her faith. During this time in prison, Vani reached out with the love of Jesus to more than 70 women -- 14 of whom became believers. Even the jailer encouraged her to continue with this outreach after witnessing a dramatic change in the lives of several prisoners who accepted Christ.

  Vani was charged with kidnapping and forceful conversion of a child to Christianity. With a heart to help a troubled teenager, she introduced the girl to the Lord and to other believers who were willing to provide further support. The caring Christian woman was arrested when the girl's parents reported her to police.

  After being released from imprisonment, Vani returned to the jail every two months for a regular court appearance. While there, she shared snacks with the women, taking time to pray for them and the police officers. One guard who came to faith in Jesus invited Vani to her house for prayer. "Everything that happened this year...is good because it is taking me very near to my God," Vani told a VOM worker just this past January.

  During her time behind bars, Vani received assistance from VOM towards the cost of bail, household rent, her daughter's school fees, and in many other various ways. VOM is currently assessing how to best assist Vani's daughter following the sudden death of the child’s God-honouring mother.

  While we certainly join with those now mourning the recent loss of Vani, let us also thank God for the incredible impact this dear woman has made on the lives of both believers and those who have yet to know Jesus! May her faithful example continue to draw many more to our Lord, even after her death. Especially remember Vani's young daughter in your petitions to our loving Heavenly Father. May He surround this grieving child with devout Christians who will guide and counsel her as she discerns His call on her own life.

  Do you have a heart for faithful women like Vani who have suffered because of their unwavering commitment to Jesus? Click here to find out how you can minister to the women of the persecuted church.

• Christians Arrested for Allegedly 'Forcing' Conversions

  Christians in India are often accused and jailed for allegedly "forcing" conversions. Vani was jailed for several weeks after sharing her Christian faith with a young runaway.

  On December 28th, ten Christian workers and three young girls (under the age of six) were arrested in the central region of India and charged with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to hurt religious feelings." Hindu nationalists, who pressured police to arrest the Christians after a healing celebration, accused them of forcing conversions and insulting the gods and goddesses of the village. However, police have stated that they have no evidence of forced conversions. At last report, three of the Christians remain in prison while the others have been released on bail.

  Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Venkaiah Naidu, recently proposed a ban on all religious conversions -- not just "forced" or "fraudulent" ones. Throughout last year's Advent season, religious minority groups -- including Christians and Muslims -- were targeted in a reconversion campaign led by several Hindu nationalist groups. These reconversion drives caused political and religious tempers to rise and produced much heated debate.

  While thanking God for the Christians who have been freed from imprisonment, let us also pray that the remaining three believers will soon be released as well. May their unjust detention fail to hinder their efforts to share God's love, but instead spur them on to advance His Kingdom purposes throughout India. Please also pray that the Lord will strengthen the precious faith of the three young girls, encouraging their spiritual growth so they may be used mightily for His glory. Also remember to intercede for the Hindu nationalists who are striving to suppress religious freedom. May they, in response to God's holy conviction, also come to faith in His Son Jesus.

  For more information on India's persecuted church, please visit our website.

• Christians Beaten and Arrested by Hindu Radicals

  Pray that many will come to know the Lord in Madhya Pradesh. Flickr / Nagarjun Kandukuru

  Eight Christians have been imprisoned following a brutal attack in which a pastor and seven members of his congregation were stripped naked, whipped with belts, and punched before being arrested by local police.

• Christians Attacked by Hindu Militants

  This man was injured in the attack. Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Tensions remain high in a remote village of Chhattisgarh State after clashes between Hindu militants and followers of Christ. On October 25th, local officials summoned area Christians to a meeting in Madota Village under the pretext of resolving conflict over bans in the district on missionaries and non-Hindu religious activity. Dozens of villages in the district passed such bans earlier this year. (To learn more about these bans, you can read a previous prayer alert.)

• Couple Hospitalized Following Brutal Assault

  A Christian couple was hospitalized in northeastern Bihar state after being badly beaten by Hindu militants. After storming the home of Shri Lal Khatiyan and Asha Devi, the militants began attacking Shri and accusing him of paganism. When Asha intervened, she too was severely beaten. Later that day, about 100 Hindus armed with clubs reportedly took up positions around the village and threatened to kill any Christian who tried to file a police complaint.

  Another troubling factor for our persecuted family in India is a new tactic that's being used against them. According to sources, assailants are now intentionally wounding pastors and other Christians in ways that will ultimately cause them to die.

• Christian Couple Forced to Perform Hindu Ritual

  Kollol and his family

  In the month of June, 15 radical Hindus attacked a Christian couple during a prayer meeting in their home. "Kollol" and his wife were beaten and then dragged to a Hindu temple where they were forced to undergo a ritual "cleansing." During the ritual, the Hindus poured water on them to symbolize outward cleansing and dabbed red powder on their foreheads to mark them as devout Hindus. When the assailants force-fed the couple with food sacrificed to idols, Kollol's two teenage daughters began to protest. The young women were then beaten as well, to the point that they and their parents all required treatment at a hospital. Community members later evicted the family from the village, threatening to kill them if they returned.

• Non-Hindu Activities Outlawed in Villages Throughout Chhattisgarh

  The open practice of Christianity is now banned in Chhattisgarh, India.

  A number of villages in Chhattisgarh State have outlawed the open practice of Christianity -- a move of questionable legality that church leaders say has already led to increased anti-Christian violence. "The situation is becoming worse," explains the president of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum. "The anti-Christian propaganda is becoming stronger."