INDIA

Over ten years ago I spent almost two weeks in India. My eyes were opened to the needs and challenges in this land of one billion people. Christians compose less than five percent of the population. Since that trip I have been pretty disciplined to pray for various and specific requests in India every day.

A urgent request is for followers of Christ who are under attack in the state of Orissa in eastern India. Since Sunday, August 24, more than 600 churches, schools and other institutions, prayer rooms, and homes of Christians have been ransacked, burnt and destroyed. Christians have been assaulted, and reportedly at least twenty-five have been killed, some of them burnt alive or cut into pieces.

A Hindu religious leader and four of his associates were murdered in Orissa on Saturday, August 23. Although a Maoist group claimed responsibility for the murders, supporters of the slain leader claim that Christians were behind the killings. Hindu fundamentalists have launched a series of attacks against Christians in retaliation.

At least 4,000 Christians have been forced to flee from their villages. Old and young, sick and pregnant mothers, are hiding in forests exposed to the non-stop monsoon rains without food.

This is not the first time Christians in Orissa have experienced violent attacks. In December 2007, Hindu militants burned approximately 90 churches and 600 homes, killing an estimated 10 persons.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. May God give courage and patience and perseverance to these persecuted believers. I hope the governing authorities intervene to stop the violence.