Three young Christians from Talbora, located in India’s Odisha state, were banished from their home village because they refused to renounce their Christian faith and convert to Hinduism.
Surander, 22, Subash, 20, and Jamuna, 19, became Christians in 2017 and were baptised in 2018 and 2019. Because there was no church in their village, they would walk to one nearby called Padmathopa to attend weekly worship.
Jamuna’s parents did not approve of their daughter’s new faith and decided they would marry her to a Hindu boy. Jamuna refused her parents decision and secretly married Subash in the church in Padmathopa.
In Talbora, Surander led small prayer meetings under the trees and in open fields. Other villagers saw this activity and became very hostile towards the young Christians when others started to listen to Surander’s preaching.
On 29 August, Surander, Subash, Jamuna, and six others who had attended Surander’s prayer meetings were called to a village meeting. At this meeting, the Christians were threatened with severe consequences if they did not renounce their Christian faith.
Six Christians feared these consequences and renounced their faith. However, Surander, Subash, and Jamuna stood firm in their faith. For this, they were banished from the village.
Surander, Subash, and Jamuna left Talbora with their Bibles, some food, and a few other things given to them by their parents. Through the night, they travelled to Padmathopa where they attended church. In Padmathopa, they were taken in by the local pastor who continues to support the three young Christians.
Source: International Christian Concern
- Thank the Lord for the strong witness of these young believers. Pray they will continue to remain faithful.
- Praise God for the pastor who was willing to aid them. Pray for the Spirit’s leading as they make plans for their future.
- Pray the Lord may use the example of these believers to strengthen those who renounced their faith and encourage them to return. Pray the entire village of Talbora will experience a spiritual awakening.
Post your prayer in the comments below.
I pray for these faithful and brave young christians and pray that The Lord of Lords Jesus will manifest in All His Glory and Baptist them in Fire and in Truth so they will be able to stand in His Strength and show and tell them ever move to make and every word to speak.
Lord help them them like You helped the First disciples warn them and deliver them from danger and give them the anointing to speak forth Your Word in power and wisdom. To speak the Word of God at the right time and place.
Bless them with Your Presence.
Thank you Julie for your encouraging prayer and thank you Lord that you have heard these prayers and wonderfully put your answer into immediate effect. (Luke 18:1-8)
Lord Jesus, our King, prophet, priest, brother and friend please draw near to our brothers and sister Surander, Subash, and Jamuna, as they seek to follow you faithfully in such hostile circumstances. We pray for the conversion of their families and indeed the pouring out of your Holy Spirit on the village of Talbora that through their faithfulness and the efforts of your people, the Gospel might grow throughout that area. Thank you for the Pastor at Padmathopa and his hospitality. Strengthen your people to reach out with grace and humility and raise up your power as you have done in the past that many might be saved and matured in Christ.
Lord we commit these 3 christians to your care. We thank you that they did not renounce their faith in you. Yes harsh times have come to them as a result ,but Lord what we go through here on earth is fleeting compared to an eternity with you. Lord we also commit those who did renounce you as their God, that they will humbly come back to you in repentance and accept the salvation only you can offer them.
We pray that you will stir their spirits and strengthen them, so that they can see that only knowing you and serving you is the right thing to do, even if it means losing ones family.
We sure know what that means, as we lost our whole family in order to follow you. Lord we thank you for the Pastor who is willing to help these young christians and we pray you use him mightily to reach many others in India
Praying