Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: May 8, 2021
‘And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.’ (2 Thessalonians 1:5 NLT)
Paul wrote these words to encourage the church in Thessalonica, who were suffering ‘persecutions and hardships’ (v.4). This week, pray for encouragement, comfort and healing for a Christian couple in India who were assaulted by Hindu nationalists.
‘If you wish to stay here you and all those whom you converted to Christianity must reconvert.’ These were the chilling words spoken to Pastor Ram Niwas by Hindu nationalist groups attempting to warn him off his Christian ministry. They also threatened to kill him. Yet none of this stopped him.
On 22 April Pastor Niwas and his wife Pinky were severely injured after they were attacked while praying in their home. Narender, a friend who had been praying with them, was also injured while trying to defend them.
The attackers – including Pastor Niwas’s own brothers – broke into the couple’s home with a hammer and started beating them with sticks. Pastor Niwas sustained a fractured shoulder, and Pinky received severe head injuries.
The pastor had previously complained to the police about attempted attacks on him, but they had taken no action.
In summary, please pray:
- Thanking God that Pastor Niwas and Pinky were able to receive prompt medical attention, and praying for their complete physical, mental and emotional healing.
- Asking God to protect them from any future attacks, and heal the pastor’s relationship with his brothers.
- That God will use this persecution to show his justice, as Paul prayed for the church in Thessalonica.