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India

• Attacks on Christians in Odisha

  This church was destroyed by Hindu militants in August 2008.

  After believers rescued a pastor in Odisha (formally called Orissa) state, India, who was brutally beaten on his way home from a prayer service, about 50 Hindu militants terrorized the 12 Christian families, beating them, looting their homes and attempting to rape some of the girls. Some of the attacked Christians remain unaccounted for and it is believed they have fled into the jungle.

  Violence is not new to this area of India. In August 2008, Hindu militants launched attacks on Christians in Kandhamal district. The violence left dozens of Christians dead and thousands of homes and churches destroyed. Many more were forced to leave their homes (for more, click here).

  A few days prior to the recent attacks on Christian families, local police seized more than 50 homemade bombs and 12 charges of dynamite hidden in a hut in the village of Gambhari in the district of Puri. Police believe the explosives would have been used in anti-Christian attacks.

  Please pray that the injured pastor will fully recover from his attack and be empowered to continue to preach the gospel. Please pray that the Lord will protect believers throughout Odisha and guard their hearts with the peace that can only be found in Christ (Philippians 4:7). Pray that the Church in Odisha state will continue to grow.

  For more on persecution in India, go to the India Country Report.

• Hindu extremists attack Christians

  Champa Pawar, Jaikant Pawar's widow. Photo: Compass Direct News

  Hindu villagers in Chhattisgarh state, India, recently attempted to prevent the burial of a convert to Christianity by brutally attacking a group of believers. Jaikant Pawar, 31, of Balgal village, Kanker district, died in April. When more than 40 Christians at the family's house were taking his body out for burial, about 300 Hindu villagers surrounded the house and attacked. The assault continued for about six hours.

  "The extremists were mocking us and said that Jesus, who calmed the storm, sent rain and who also raised up the dead, must also raise up Jaikant Pawar, and they forced us to pray," said a Christian leader. "They threatened to pull off my skin if Jesus did not make Pawar alive again."

  The villagers also beat two women -- Ganga Bhai and Suki Bhai -- both 60 years old. Two Christian children who were about 10 years old were also pushed and thrown until they fell unconscious.

  Later that night, the Hindu extremists told the Christians to remove the body from the village or be killed, so the believers carried the body to a police station about 10 km away. However, police were unwilling to register a report. Officials eventually summoned the attackers, who then falsely accused the Christians of beating them. Police warned the villagers not to disturb the Christians again, but reports indicate that Christians are being threatened again.

  Please pray that these brothers and sisters will receive God's protection from their attackers and that their faith will be a witness to their assailants. Please pray that all believers in India will rely on the Lord as their strength and their shield, and that they will be empowered to take the gospel to every corner of India for His glory. Pray for healing for those wounded in these attacks.

  For more on persecution in India, go to the India Country Report.

• Update: First murder conviction issued after 2008 massacre in Orissa

  A church that was destroyed in the 2008 violence

  Kartik Paramenika has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Ramesh Digal in Orissa, India. The conviction, which was handed down in March, is the first for any of the murders that occurred during widespread mob violence against Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa, in August and September of 2008 (for more, click here).

  Kartik had led a mob to Petapanga village in 2008, where he killed Ramesh and burned down his home. Ramesh had worked as a cook in a school at which Kartik was headmaster. In addition to the life sentence for the murder, Kartik was also sentenced to five years for arson and was fined 5,000 rupees.

  Convictions are difficult in India as witnesses are often threatened and harassed. Dr. John Dayal, a member of the Government of India's National Integration Council, said, "Justice remains the critical issue in Kandhamal where a combination of circumstances, including lacunae in investigations and coercion of witnesses, has resulted in a long series of acquittals. This conviction will help begin to rebuild faith in the judicial system. We must also congratulate the public prosecutor for securing this major success."

  Please pray that more people responsible for the 2008 murders will be brought to justice. Please pray that witnesses to the crimes will be protected by the Lord and that their courage will not falter despite intimidation and threats of violence. Pray that those who perpetrated violence against believers will repent and seek forgiveness from Jesus. Ask God to help those affected by the 2008 attacks to forgive and love their attackers.

  For more on persecution in India, go to the India Country Report.

• Hostility for believers increasing

  Three vicious attacks against Christians in India in recent months reflect a growing anti-Christian sentiment.

  A pastor and his children were attacked last February in Kerala state. Pastor Titus Ignatius Kapan and his family were eating dinner in the home of a convert to Christianity from Hinduism when Hindu extremists stormed in. They abused the pastor and his children and then dropped large boulders on the pastor's car.

  Days earlier, Hindu extremists disrupted a prayer service in Pandhi village in Chhattisgarh state. For two days the attackers threatened and assaulted attendees with their fists and leather belts. They also tore down the believers' tent.

  Finally, a group of Christians in Haibasa district in Jharkhand state were forced to leave their village after a series of attacks by local villagers. The Christians took refuge at a local church but at last report are living without necessities. In the last of the attacks, the violent mob shut down all exit points to the village before assaulting Christians with iron rods, axes, arrows and other sharp weapons, severely beating four Christians. Other believers, including children, were locked in a room where the assailants attempted to burn them alive. Thankfully police arrived before they could carry out the murders.

  Please pray that Christians in India will find strength in Christ to bear the persecution and to continue to proclaim the Kingdom. Please pray that God will soften the hearts of the persecutors and draw them to repentance. Pray that our suffering brothers and sisters in India will trust God to enable them to proclaim the gospel even while suffering (2 Timothy 4:16-18).

  For more on persecution in India, go to the India Country Report.

• Karnataka most dangerous state for Christians

  Christmas and New Year's holidays in the south Indian state of Karnataka brought a dramatic increase in attacks on believers, and the state was identified as the most unsafe place for Christians for the third consecutive year.

  There were 49 cases of violence and hostility against Christians in the state last year, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India's annual report. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported there were at least six anti-Christian attacks between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day alone. Services and prayer meetings were disrupted and pastors and worshippers were harassed and physically abused by groups of suspected Hindu extremists. In one case on Christmas Day, about 20 people beat Christians, including women and children, with stones and wooden clubs as the believers celebrated at a house a few miles from the city of Mangalore. Injuries in the attacks included fractures, chest injuries and head trauma. Christians account for at least 2.3 percent of India's population, which is more than 1 billion.

  Please pray that eruptions of violence will cease and the storm of hostility will be stilled in this troubled state. Please pray for the physical and emotional healing of those who have been attacked and harmed. Please pray that Christians in Karnataka will be Christ's light and will overcome the spiritual darkness that is consuming this region.

  For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.

• Update: Falsely imprisoned pastor released

  Pastor Khanna was arrested for alleged forced conversion in Kashmir Valley. Photo: Global Council of Indian Christians

  Reverend C.M. Khanna, who was arrested and imprisoned on false charges of forced conversion in the Kashmir Valley in India in October, was granted bail by the Srinagar court and has been released from jail.

  When Rev. Khanna could not help a Muslim cleric, the Grand Mufti, obtain admission for a student into one of the schools run by the Church of North India (CNI), it is believed the Grand Mufti retaliated by summoning the Christian to appear before the Sharia court on false charges of forced conversion based on video evidence of a routine baptism ceremony in his church. The seven newly baptized Christians had also previously been detained and beaten (for more, click here). Rev. Khanna appeared before the Sharia court in the interests of communal harmony in the Kashmir Valley, even though he was not legally bound in any way to appear before a Muslim court in a secular country like India. The arrest of Rev. Khanna has caused great fear among believers, however, say local sources.

  Please pray that Reverend Khanna's courage and faith during his ordeal will be a testimony to others. Pray that efforts to win more souls for Christ will be blessed. Pray that God will soften the hearts of those opposed to the gospel in Kashmir Valley.

  For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.

• Police detain, beat converts from Islam

  Seven newly baptized Christians were detained and beaten by police in India's Kashmir Valley, and arrests are expected for Christian leaders considered responsible for converting the former Muslims.

  Police identified the converts and pastors from a video recording of the baptism obtained by Kashmir's grand mufti (the highest official of religious law), Bashir-ud-din Ahmad. The video was later posted on YouTube.

  Ahmad alleged that Pastor Chander Mani Khanna of All Saints Church, whose church is affiliated with the Church of North India (CNI) denomination, was converting young Muslims by offering money. The mufti told media that the video is definitive evidence that Muslims were being "lured" to Christianity, although it only shows the baptism ceremony. The pastor said the Muslim youths had been coming to the church on their own initiative and wanted to take part in communion. Pastor Chander told them they had to follow a procedure if they wanted to join in the sacrament, and they expressed desire to be baptized.

  Please pray that Pastor Chander will not be charged and that the young converts will remain steadfast in their faith. Pray that the gospel will spread throughout the region despite opposition and oppression.

  For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.

• Students at orphanage forced to pay idol worship fee

  Christian orphans in West Bengal, India, have been forced to contribute funds for idol worship in order to gain admission to a high school. Rev. Dr. Subimal Dutta, the director general of Ambassadors Service Society which operates the Gilgal Children's Home, has faced threats for opposing the collection of money for idol worship at government schools or government-aided schools. In early September, the extremists stormed into the Society compound and warned Dutta to stop all Christian activities within seven days or that they would forcibly shut down the mission. They also sternly warned him that his life would be in danger if he involved police or any administrative officials.

  At a meeting on September 23 with the village head, the local political party, and the Ambassadors Service Society, an agreement was reached for re-opening the Society. However, the agreement required all students at the government high school to pay the idol worship fee without complaint.

  Please pray that the Lord will protect Dutta and the children he is responsible for. Pray that they will not be afraid to continue to meet together to worship Him. Pray the Lord will grant wisdom to Dutta in this difficult situation. Pray that those who oppose Christians would repent and know Christ.

  For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.

• Pastor's father beaten unconscious

  Hindu extremists in Pratapgarh, Rajasthan State have threatened to kill a pastor after beating his family and violating an agreement to stop attacking them. Pastor Shantilal Ninama of Believers Church said that Hindu extremists beat his 65-year-old father until he fell unconscious in one of the attacks last month. After agreeing to do no further harm to Pastor Ninama and his family in exchange for him dropping police charges he'd filed over a previous attack, the Hindu extremists stormed into his home on the evening of June 8 and began beating his father, sister, wife and three children. As the pastor sought police help, his father fell unconscious and his wife and two of his children ran out into the darkness. Another daughter hid beneath a bed, and his sister escaped and hid in a valley.

  The Rev. Prabhatkar Malladi, secretary of the Udaipur Diocese in Rajasthan, shared that the extremists were threatening to kill the pastor. "The villagers are not allowing any Christian leaders to enter into the village to meet Pastor Ninama, but we are taking necessary steps to help the pastor, and one advocate is now taking up the case," he said.

  Pray for the Lord's protection upon Pastor Shantilal, his family and all Christians in the area. Pray his father will make a full recovery. Pray the Lord will minister to the perpetrators and those in authority involved in the case, using this incident as a witness for the gospel.

  Learn more about the tribulations that befall Christians in India at theIndia Country Report.

• Christians attacked and threatened in Jharkhand state

  Several Christians came under attack in Jharkhand state, India, in recent weeks. On May 28, Hindu militants beat the members of five Christian families in Palamu district. A week prior, a group of Hindu militants threatened to beat Pastor Sanjay Choudary of the Gospel Echoing Missionary Society if he did not stop leading worship meetings. He and his congregation then filed a complaint, leading the police to visit with them on May 28. Immediately after the police left, the enraged militants appeared and started beating people. One woman suffered internal injuries, and another believer was still missing at last report. The Christians have reportedly fled their homes. In a similar incident, Hindu militants in Karivadhi village are threatening to severely beat three families of new Christian converts if they do not return to Hinduism. These Christians have also fled the area and are now in hiding.

  Pray these Christians will look to the God of truth as their righteous refuge and tower of strength (Psalm 31:1-5). Pray they will be living witnesses to the love and hope of Christ, even to their persecutors. Ask God to work in the hearts of those who attack Christians in India, leading them to the path of repentance and peace.

  For more on the trials facing Christians in India, go to the India Country Report.