Over 600 million people voted in this election, and Modi won by a landslide. His political party (Bharatiya Janata Party) won 354 of 545 seats (272 seats are needed for a majority) in The Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament—a win even bigger than their share of the vote in 2014.

In recent years, persecution against Christians in India severely increased—and now, Mission India’s partners in India anticipate challenges continuing.

Mission India’s Bartholomew* says, “Our partners in India have been faithfully praying…as they just try to see what the new round [of political leadership] looks like for them in terms of ministry and how God’s going to move amidst all of this.

“But they’re also at the same time energized, knowing that regardless of what happens politically, God is still in control. We’ve heard that a lot from our partners. They know that God will be faithful and they’re going to keep doing what they believe God is calling them to do.”

This year, Open Doors USA ranked India as the 10th worst country in the world for persecution of Christians, who have faced violence and loss of rights.

(Photo courtesy of Mission India)

Now is the time to stand with Christians in India, both in prayer and by empowering them with tools and training to continue to push the light of the Gospel against the spiritual darkness around them. Opponents of the Good News seem to be growing in numbers and in strength, and the future feels uncertain.

But we know who holds the future, and so we pray. Please join our Indian Christian brothers and sisters in praying for protection, for wisdom, and for an open door to the Gospel message.

If you would like to receive Mission India’s daily prayer e-mail, India Intercessor, click here and you’ll be automatically signed up to receive daily prayer requests from India.

Header image obtained from Narendra Modi’s personal feed on Flickr.

*Name changed for security purposes.