Earlier this month, a mob of Hindu nationalists assembled outside the house of a local Christian pastor in Shyampura village, Madhya Pradesh.
According to local sources, at around 7pm on 1 April, more than 100 radical Hindu nationalists burst into the house where six Christians were praying. The mob ransacked the house and attacked the Christians, before ultimately handing them over to the police.
All six Christians were charged with conversion charges, and three were sent to jail.
Prior to the arrests, the mob threatened the Christians with dire consequences if they didn’t stop the prayers. After an hour of harassment, the meeting was called off. Three of the Christians fled the house, fearing further abuse. The mob then went to the police station and organised a sit-in protest, demanding that the police file First Information Report against the six Christians.
The police agreed to arrest the Christians after the mob claimed that they used derogative language against Hindu gods and goddesses. At midnight, the police arrived at the house and arrested the three remaining Christians. The bail petition was rejected.
A local Christian who requested anonymity said, “The right-wing groups are threatening lawyers who tried to help Christians in filing a bail petition, there is so much fear in the village and around, all the Christian activities including worship services and prayers are postponed.” He added, “It is very sad that law and order are in such condition, that anybody can accuse Christians, and police just act against these victims.
The situation in the state has gone from bad to worse. The enactment of the stringent anti-conversion law in the state has spelled doom for Christians in legalising the abuse they face. We pray for their resilience and are inspired by their bravery.
Source: International Christian Concern
Let us pray.
- Ask the Lord to minister to the detained Christians. May they remember His promises and experience His presence.
- Pray the Lord would remove the burden of fear from the Christian community. Pray they may make the most of every opportunity to meet together, to encourage one another in the faith.
- Ask God to be at work in the police and the fanatics. Ask Him to reveal Himself to many. Pray the local Christian witness will be powerful.
1 Peter 2Vs 20-23 says, “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
We praise and thank you Father for the faithful witness and lives of our brothers and sisters in Shyampura village, Madhya Pradesh. We give thanks for your presence with them in this terrible time of injustice and suffering. May the words of 1 peter 2 above be evidenced and very real in their lives.
We beg you Lord to minister to these detained believers. May they remember your promises and experience your presence.
Lord Jesus, please remove the burden of fear from the wider Christian community. Help them to make the most of every opportunity to meet together, to encourage one another in the faith even as they face isolation, violence and discrimination
We ask you Lord to pour out your Holy Spirit on the magistrates, the police and the right wing fundamentalist Hindu extremists. Reveal yourself to them and bring them to deep repentance and faith in Christ.
Lord God, ruler of the nations, we do pray for India, its peoples and leaders especially PM Modhi. Fill your people with your Holy Spirit for the difficult times ahead and help us to help them by our faithful prayer and offerings. Lord have mercy and help your people. May believers entrust themselves to you who judges justly.