Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: January 31, 2026
Today our prayers are for a Christian community in Midapalli, a village in India’s Maharashtra State.
They have been targeted with a campaign of threats and violence, which grew particularly tense a few weeks ago. Yet despite six families receiving death threats, they refused to renounce their faith. The next day, four families had their homes demolished by a mob of villagers.
To add to this injustice, when they went to the police for help, the officers failed to support the victims and instead sided with the perpetrators, who were emboldened even more.
The families were left in an incredibly vulnerable position: without proper shelter in harsh winter conditions, and still facing threats to their safety. The targeted families and other Christians in the village have planned to escalate the matter to the district authorities.
We cry out to the God who is rock, fortress and deliverer – asking him to provide shelter and a safe way forward for this community.
As we read in Psalm 18:
‘He shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.’ (Psalm 18:30b-32)
Please pray:
- For the safety of the Christian community in Midapalli – especially those who received death threats or had their homes demolished.
- That the Lord will meet all their needs today, providing permanent shelter, safety, strength and peace.
- That the district and state authorities would intervene as a matter of urgency, to secure justice and compensation for the victims. Ask God to stir their hearts towards compassion and integrity.
- For others across India who face similar threats, violence or injustice because of their religion or belief.
11 January: Villagers in Midapalli confronted six families, demanding that they renounce their faith. Even in the face of death threats, the families refused to comply.
12 January: Around 20 villagers attacked the families, again demanding that they renounce their faith. The families again refused to comply, and the mob proceeded to demolish four families’ houses.
13 January: The victims attempted to make a complaint at a police station in a nearby village. The officer in charge threatened the families – questioning their decision to embrace Christianity as members of a tribal community, and warning that their unique identity cards and ration supplies would be cancelled.
14 January: The police summoned the local pastor for questioning about his work. During the questioning, officers declared that his ministry was 'andhashradha' (superstition) and banned him from visiting families in the village.