Christians in India fear that persecution of their communities will intensify after the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party won elections in four states, which will be seen as an overwhelming endorsement of the party’s anti-minority stance.
As per the results announced last week for elections in five states, the BJP retained power in four states, including the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, the northern state of
Uttarakhand, the south-western state of Goa and the north-eastern state of Manipur. In northern Punjab state, the BJP lost the election.
Uttar Pradesh state witnessed at least 102 incidents of violence against Christians in 2021, according to a report by the United Christian Forum.
Days before the announcement of the results, Hindu nationalists had warned Christians that the community in the state might face “extermination”, The Telegraph reported.
Ten states in India, including Uttar Pradesh, have passed “anti-conversion” laws, which presume that Christians “force” or give financial benefits to Hindus to convert them to Christianity.
While some of these laws have been in place for decades in some states, no Christian has been convicted of “forcibly” converting anyone to Christianity. These laws, however, allow Hindu nationalist groups to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks on them under the pretext of the alleged forced conversion.
Source: Christian Post
Let us pray.
- Pray the Christians in India will not be fearful but will hold firm to their faith and encourage one another during this time of increased opposition.
- Pray the Gospel will continue to go forth throughout the nation despite the efforts of those who oppose it.
- Pray for the protection of evangelists and church leaders who are frequently targeted.
Lord God and Heavenly Father, we praise you as our just and holy God who has graciously and wonderfully sent Jesus into the world to save it and not to condemn it. We look forward to the return of your Son at the end of the last days when he will bring true justice and there will be the judgement of all humanity.
Blessed Lord, we are desperately concerned for your children as they face increasing persecution, discrimination and marginalisation in India with the rise of active Hindu Nationalism sponsored by the Government.
We urge you to enable believers in India not to be fearful but to hold firm to their faith and encourage one another during this time of increased opposition. Help them to know a boldness in sharing their faith as can only be given by the Holy Spirit. Help them to remain true to you.
We urge that the Gospel will continue to go forward throughout the nation despite the efforts of those who oppose it. We ask that you hinder and stifle the work of the evil one. We especially pray for PM Modhi and members of the BJP as well as their families and supporters. Open their eyes to the glory of your Son that they may come to confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their hearts that he rose from the dead.
We also pray for the protection of evangelists and church leaders who are frequently targeted. Give them wisdom as they face trials of many kinds and assist them to be a blessing as they preach and teach the Gospel applying the word to the lives who hear them. Have mercy Lord. Have mercy.