Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak's birthday is on Monday, November 2 this year (it changes based on the moon). His birthday is also celebrated the 2 days before it. This weekend the Sikhs of Delhi will be celebrating the birthday of this Guru.

Guru Nanak was the first of the 10 Sikh Gurus. He is famous for preaching against idol worship.

Sikhism follows the teachings of these Gurus, but they consider themselves a monotheistic religion. Sikhs believe there is only one God who has infinite qualities and names.

Please pray for the Sikhs of Delhi as they are celebrating this holiday. They already state that they believe that there is only one God - please pray that they will learn to know the ONE TRUE GOD! Pray for opportunities for Christians to share with them about Him!

Delhi 2010

The Commonwealth Games are a multinational and multi sport even that is held every 4 years with athletes from the commonwealth nations (most are countries that were once under the British Empire). The Commonwealth games are a lot like the Olympics but with some different sports and less countries involved.

The next games are in October 2010 and they will be held right here in DELHI! For more info click here!

The government is saying that everything (buildings, volunteers, venues, etc) is on on schedule and on track, but most people are saying the opposite.

One thing that is very important for any type of event like this is the need for volunteers. This event needs at least 20,000 volunteers. Please pray for this event! This is an awesome opportunity for the Christians of this city!

- Pray that the Christians of Delhi (and surrounding) will volunteer to help at this event. Pray that they will be bold and active in sharing their faith!

- Pray for the people that will be coming to this event. Pray that they will come with open hearts and have many opportunities to hear and learn about Jesus!

- Pray for the Christians of Delhi that are already working together to use this event to show people the awesome love of Jesus!

Sanjay (Update)

Last time we asked you to pray for Sanjay we told you that he was excited about starting churches and he had a plan of starting 15 new churches by December. Since we last wrote, Sanjay has started 4 new groups! He is excited and working hard every day to share the Gospel with people all over the city! Praise the Lord for people like Sanjay that are excited about sharing with people and starting churches!! Please continue to pray for him! Pray that he continues his excitement and is effective in reaching the lost of Delhi!

"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints." Philemon 6-7

Children of Delhi

There are many children in Delhi. Less than 1% of those children belong to Christian families. Pray for these children as they grow up. Pray that they will have the opportunity to hear and learn about Jesus! Pray for the Christian children too - that they would be bold and share with their friends and classmates!

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"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'"

Matthew 19:14

DIWALI - Festival of Lights!!!

Today is the 3rd day of Diwali. This is the day that many people refer to as Diwali. It is also called Deepavali or Lakshmi Puja.

Diwali is the Festival of Lights! Light is the theme of this day of the holiday. Houses & Business are decorated with lights. People light Diyas (candle lamps) and light firecrackers most of the night! Light plays a big part in this part of the holiday!

"You O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

Psalm 18:28

Please pray for the people of Delhi during this holiday. Pray that they will learn about the true light of the world! Pray that followers of Jesus will shine their light and share with others about the light of the world! Pray for lives to be changed!!

Choti Diwali

Today is Choti Diwali (also known as Little Diwali or Narak Chaturdasi). Many people buy sweets on this day to give to their friends and family. Delhi is a very busy city during this holiday. It is a very important holiday for families and friends.

A popular legend says that on Choti Diwali day that the god Krishna freed the earth from fear and the tyranny of the demon King Naraksur. This part of the festival marks the end of evil and the beginning of joy and laughter.

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"You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."

Psalm 30:11-12

- Pray for the new believers of Delhi at this time. The holidays are a big struggle for new believers as they are trying to decide how to celebrate these holidays with their family and stay in their community while also standing strong for Jesus and showing the difference he has made in their life!

- Pray for the Hindus, Jains & Sikhs of Delhi, that they will come to know TRUE joy and laughter that can only come from Jesus Christ!

- Pray for the followers of Jesus that they will not only share sweets with their neighbors and friends, but also boldly share the sweet love of Jesus!

Dhanteras

Today is Dhanteras. It is the first day of Diwali. It is a day associated with wealth. This holiday is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. During this holiday they spend time honoring and worshiping the goddess of wealth - Lakshmi. Women are supposed to buy ornaments of gold or silver on this day. If that is not possible they are to buy at least a few new utensils for their home. The purchase of new things - especially in the form of a precious metal is said to bring good luck and wealth to the home.

Please pray for the Hindus, Sikhs and Jains of Delhi during this time. Pray that they will come to understand what true wealth is!

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as SILVER or GOLD that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Though him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God."

1 Peter 1:18-21

Harvest Time!

"Then He said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field."  

Matthew 9:37

Karva Chauth

Today is Karva Chauth. It is a big holiday in Delhi and the rest of North India. In this holiday women show their extreme love and devotion to their husbands by suffering for them. They will fast beginning around 4:00 AM and not eat or drink anything until after their ceremonies are completed in the evening after the moon rise.

Karva means clay pot and Chauth means fourth night after the full moon. The clay pot and the moon are very important in this holiday. The moon is worshiped during this holiday and the clay pot is instrumental in that worship.

Please pray for the families of Delhi. Pray that they will come to know Jesus and know the one that truly suffered for our sakes.

"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand."

Isaiah 64:8

Beggers

There are over 100,000 beggars in Delhi.  About 40% of those are children.  Beggars are a hot topic in Delhi and even more so now as the government is trying to rid the streets of beggars by the 2010 Commonwealth Games.  There will be many people imprisoned, put in homes (children) or displaced during the next year.  Please pray for the Christians of Delhi.  Help them to know how to help these people and show them God's love!  Pray that they will be active in sharing their faith with the beggars and helping to not only meet physical needs, but their spiritual needs.