Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: June 27, 2020
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. – Psalm 61:2-3
Recent news from India has felt overwhelming at times. The Christian community has been enduring horrific attacks over the last few months. Yet the Lord is our refuge and a strong tower; pray the verses above over India as you read this week’s prayer update.
‘I will live for Jesus and die for Jesus, but I will never turn back’
Kande Mudu (Philip), a 27-year-old man who converted to Christianity four years ago, was murdered in his village in Jharkhand State on 7 June. His family were the only Christians in their village and had faced violent opposition and threats to their lives.
At around 8pm a group of six to eight men, armed with sharp weapons and homemade pistols, banged on the front door and demanded that Mr Mudu come outside. He told his wife that he might be killed, but asked her to remain strong and to never give up her faith in Jesus even if they killed him. She took their two daughters, aged one and three, and fled several kilometres to the home of another Christian, where they took refuge. Mr Mudu’s body was later discovered by his younger brother.
Mrs Mudu told us that after the funeral the following day, her father encouraged her to abandon her faith if she wanted to stay alive. He reminded her that her mother had been gang raped in 2018 in a previous attack on the family, and now Mrs Mudu has lost her husband. She replied, ‘I will live for Jesus and die for Jesus, but I will never turn back.’
Further violence against India’s Christians
On 4 June a 14-year-old Christian boy was murdered by Hindu nationalists who took him from his home in Odisha State to a remote location, where police later discovered his body.
On 20 May Hindu nationalists broke into the homes of three Christian families in Chhattisgarh State and beat them, causing serious injuries. The families fled for their lives and have been warned never to return home.
On 4 May three Christian families in another village in Chhattisgarh were beaten and threatened with death when they refused to participate in worship associated with the animist religion, which is practised by the majority of villagers there.
In summary, please pray:
- For God to bring a complete stop to the violence being perpetrated against Christian communities, so that they can live out their faith peacefully.
- That Hindu nationalists across the country will be convicted and will completely reject all forms of violence.
- For complete physical and mental healing for the survivors of the attacks, and for peace and comfort for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.