India (MNN) — Diwali parties begin tomorrow in Hindu, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities throughout South Asia. The festival of lights spans five days, with its peak celebration scheduled for Monday.
Diwali is a Hindu festival primarily associated with the goddess of prosperity and marks the beginning of India’s fiscal calendar.
“We want to ask the body of Christ to join with us in prayer for the Hindu world during these Hindu holidays,” John Pudaite of Bibles For The World says.
To support this effort, request a free prayer guide from Bibles For The World here. “It’s a beautifully printed guide, and the theme this year is God sees, God heals, and God saves,” Pudaite adds.
“God sees the persecution, God heals – no matter how deep the wounds may be – and then God saves. Ultimately, we want all Hindu people to know of salvation through Jesus Christ.”
“God sees the persecution”
Christians face ever-increasing pressure from India’s Hindu nationalists. Learn more here.
“At the state level, the BJP is trying to put into action its plan for making India a Hindu nation, and in the process, denying the freedom of religion that is guaranteed by the Indian constitution,” Pudaite says.
“Things that are done in the name of, especially Christianity, can be considered or positioned as anti-national. This is a major concern.”
Emboldened by state-level anti-conversion laws, “we are seeing the Hindu activist forces attacking churches [and] home fellowships; [there are] one or two attacks a day,” Pudaite adds.
Furthermore, “new laws are extending to the internet, and any attempts to convert on social media are brought under their purview.”
(Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World)
Hope amid oppression
Pray for wisdom and strength for Christian leaders in India as they navigate the increasing persecution and restrictions. Ask the Lord to protect His people in India.
Pray that as Hindus celebrate the festival of lights, they meet a Christian who will introduce them to the Light of the World.
“We do see the body of Christ growing,” Pudaite says. “We see amazing reports of outreach [activities] happening in different parts of India. The Holy Spirit is still working across that country.”
Header image depicts Diwali lights in Delhi. (Photo courtesy Pratham Gupta/Unsplash)
