Idols

Idols are a big part of Hindu worship. On a regular basis, the idols are washed, fed and sometimes even clothed.

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"The idols of the nations are silver and gold,

made by the hands of men.

They have mouths, but cannot speak,

eyes, but they cannot see;

They have ears, but cannot hear,

nor is there breath in their mouths.

Those who make them will be like them

and so will all who trust in them."

Psalm 135:15-16

Please pray for the idol worshipers of Delhi. Please ask that they would see the falseness of their idols and seek out the one true God!
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"For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy in his dwelling place."

1 Chronicles 16:25-27

-S

Dusshera

Today is a Hindu holiday called Dussehra or Dusshera.  It's a holiday that has a long history that is based on the stories from the Ramayana.  The festival basically celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the death of the demon king Ravana.  To celebrate this, they have a big festival and burn effigies of this demon king.

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Pray for the people celebrating this holiday today that they will come to know the one who is truly good!

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"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight."

Isaiah 5:20-21

"See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.  Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

Isaiah 60:2-3

A Lot of People!

Delhi is a very large city.  It's population is anywhere between 14 & 24 million people and is arguably the largest city in the world!  No matter the population, there are a lot of people in Delhi that don't know about Jesus.  

Delhi is:

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82% Hindu

11.7% Muslim

4.3% Sikh

1.1% Jain

0.9% Christian 
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Pray that all of the people of Delhi will get the opportunity to hear about Jesus!
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"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."   
Romans 2:22-24
-S

Sanjay (Update)

Thank you so much for praying for Sanjay!  He has really caught the vision for church planting and is very excited!  He has just recently baptized some new believers and is wanting and planning  to start 15 new  house churches by December.  Please pray for him that he will have wisdom as he is raising up new leaders and starting new churches.  Pray also that he will be able to manage his time wisely.

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"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the  very end of the age.'"  Matthew 28:18-20
-S

Eid-ul-Fitr

Today is a big holiday for Muslims around the world. It is Eid (or Eid-ul-Fitr). This holiday marks the end of Ramadan and the end of fasting. In most countries, this holiday is only celebrated for a day, but South Asians celebrate for 3 days. It is very common for gifts to be given during this time. After the Eid prayers are done, many families visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of their dead relatives.

Please pray for the Muslims during this time, that they will be able to find true salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the MBBs (Muslim Background Belivers) that they would be bold in sharing with their friends and families during this time!

Bhaji

Over 4% of Delhi's population are part of the Sikh Religion.  Most of those live in the Western part of the city.  There are very few known believers in Jesus from this group in Delhi.  

Bhaji is a first generation Sikh background follower of Jesus.  He has a church that meets weekly at his house and is faithful in sharing the Gospel!  Please pray for more leaders like Bhaji to reach Sikhs in Delhi!

To learn more about Sikhism, click this link:  Sikhism
-S

Sanjay

Sanjay is a relatively new believer with a Hindu background.  He has seen some miracles in his life since becoming a beliver.  He loves to share with people and tell them the good news of Jesus!  He has started a few new Bible study groups in his neighborhood and is in the process of trying to turn them into House Churches!  Please pray that he would keep up his excitement for starting new churches.  Please pray for the new believers in these churches that new leaders would come up quickly!

"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witensses.  Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them to others." - 2:Timothy 2:2

-S

Ebenezer

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12
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Ebenezer is a young adult that is on the normal path of a Forward Caste Hindu his age.  He has completed college and has begun working and will soon start to pursue marriage.  He has a real love for money and does just about anything he can to get and save more money.  He thought getting the job and the money would make him happy, but he is feeling very empty inside.  Please pray for Ebenezer, that he would see the emptiness in his life and know that Jesus is the only thing that can fill that void!
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"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

-S

Holidays

There are many holidays coming in the next 2 months in Delhi.  Please pray that people will be drawn to the one true God during these holidays!  Pray that their lives will be changed!

Here are some of the major holidays coming up:

August 22-September 21 - Ramadan (currently going on) (Muslim)

September 19 - Navaratri (Hindu)

September 21 - Eid-ul-Fitr (Muslim)

September 25-28 - Durga Puja (and Dussehra) (Hindu)
October 8 - Karva Chauth (Hindu)
October 9 - Birthday of Guru Ram Das (Sikh)

October 15-19 - Diwali (Hindu/Sikh/Jain) (Oct 17 is the biggest celebration day)
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Click on the links to learn more.  Please pray for the awesome South Asian people during these holidays!  -S