Post-Ramadan Celebrations

Today is the last day of Eid celebrations in Delhi. Ramadan and Eid will be over and the lives of the Muslims of Delhi will go back to normal. Please pray for these Muslims. Pray that they continue to have dreams and visions that lead them to a relationship with Jesus! Pray that the Christians of Delhi will not be afraid to share with them. Pray for boldness!

Eid-ul-Fitr

Today is the Holiday called Eid-ul-Fitr, or more commonly known as Eid. This begins on the last day of Ramadan. In Delhi and the rest of South Asia, this holiday is celebrated for 3 days. On the first day, after their Eid prayers, it is common for families to visit graveyards and pray for the salvation of departed family members.

Pray for the Muslims of Delhi during this time. Pray that they will be told what true salvation is! Pray that the Christians of Delhi will be bold and not afraid to tell Muslims they know or meet about the salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ!

Night of Power - Ramadan - Part 2

Tonight is the Night of Power for Muslims in this time of Ramadan. The Night of Power is from sunset to dawn and is considered the holiest night of the year. Many Muslims believe that there are groups of special angels who are only seen on the Night of Power. They believe that these angels perform special purposes - some for worship, some there to grant requests of Muslims and some bring proclamations of the coming year.

Tonight, many Muslims think this is a special night when God gives heed to their requests. Many people are open to dreams and visions and see for guidance and revelation on this day. Many Muslims pray all night while seeing a response to specific requests they may have. One common belief is that Angels will give blessings to those that say awake during this night.

Please pray for the Muslims of Delhi on this night. Our God does many amazing things on this night! Many Muslims have dreams and visions on this night that lead them to Jesus! Please pray that Our Father will draw them to himself on this night.

Researchers contend that 80% of new Christians in Delhi & the rest of South Asia come to Christ as a direct result of supernatural encounters.

Please pray for a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to the many Muslims in Delhi who will seek God tonight!

For more information - click here: http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/night-of-power/

Night of Power - Ramadan

Tomorrow night is the "Night of Power" during the Ramadan celebrations. The actual day of the Night of Power is debated, but it is the anniversary of the night that Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad. On this day, Muslims often pray extra prayers, particularly the night prayer.

God often works in miraculous ways throughout the Muslim world on this night! Every year there are stories of Muslims having dreams or visions that lead them to Jesus. Please pray that the Muslims of Delhi would have dreams and visions that lead them to a relationship with Jesus! Please pray for the Muslims of Delhi as they are preparing for the Night of Power tomorrow night.

For more information - click here: http://www.30-days.net/islam/basics/night-of-power/

There are many stories throughout the Bible where God spoke through a dream or vision. (Genesis 41,Genesis 46:2 & 3, Daniel 4, Judges 7:10-15, Ezekiel 11:24, Matthew 2:12, 19, Acts 10:3-20, Revelation 1:1). In many of these cases the end result was for the purpose of salvation or physical safety.

* Consider setting this night aside as an all night prayer time with your church or mission group.

* As you pray during this night, pray for people such as Muslim leaders and governments, Muslim families and children. Pray for increased numbers of overseas workers, and pray for new believers (1 Timothy 2:1).

* Pray for a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to the many Muslims who will seek God tonight (Psalm 118:21, Acts 4:33).

Protesting Continues

Protesting is going strong still here in the city. On Sunday and Monday Ramlila Grounds (the main protest area) was at capacity (over 100,000 people!). The government met today to discuss the Jan Lokpal Bill against corruption. Anna Hazare has been fasting for 8 days now and his health is quickly declining. The doctors are urging him to go to the hospital but he refuses to go until the government passes this bill and India is a better place.

Please pray for this situation. Praise God that there has not been any bloodshed during this country-wide protest! Praise God that it has been peaceful! Pray for all parties involved with this bill with both Team Anna and the Government. Pray that they make good decisions. Pray that Christians use this time to tell others about Jesus - the only person who has never sinned!

Krishna Janmashtami

Today is a holiday called Krishna Janmashtmi. Hindus celebrate the birthday of the Hindu god Krishna on this day. This morning, in some areas of the city many women draw patterns of children's footprints leading towards their house to represent their invitation for Krishna to enter their home. Some people will observe a 24-hour fast and an all-night vigil so that they can be forgiven of the sins of 10 million births.

Please pray that the Hindus of Delhi will have the chance on this day to hear the Gospel and learn that the one true God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for their sins, and that He is ready to live in their lives if they follow Him. Pray that Christians of Delhi will share with those Hindus about the love and hope that only Jesus can bring!

Krishna Janmashtami

Tomorrow is a holiday called Krishna Janmashtmi. Hindus celebrate the birthday of the Hindu god Krishna on this day. At midnight tonight, many people will bathe and dress an idol of the infant Krishna. They will place the idol in a cradle and worship it. Some people will observe a 24-hour fast and an all-night vigil so that they can be forgiven of the sins of 10 million births.

Please pray that the Hindus of Delhi will have the chance on this day to hear the Gospel and learn that the one true God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for their sins, and that He is ready to live in their hearts and lives if they follow Him. Pray that Christians of Delhi will share with those Hindus about the love and hope that only Jesus can bring!

Anna Hazare

Delhi is alive and buzzing over Anna Hazare and the potential change that could take place in all of India. Anna Hazare came out of Tihar Jail today and made a procession to Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. Despite the heavy rains going on today, thousands of people gathered in the open to hear Anna Hazare speak against corruption and for change in India and to protest alongside him.

The protesting has continued to be peaceful and safe. Please pray that it will continue to be safe. Pray for positive changes to take place and happen in India. Pray that Christians will use this time to share with other about how Jesus can change their life.

Anna Hazare - Protesting

Protesting is continuing in Delhi and is now going on all over India (see previous post for more information). So far, all of these protests are peaceful. As this post is published, there are over 10,000 people protesting at India Gate in Delhi alone. (For more information about what is currently happening - click here).

Please pray as these protests go on. Pray that the protests stay peaceful. Pray that Christians will use this time to share about the Jesus - who was (and is) perfect and has never been involved with any sort of corruption. Pray that Christians have wisdom during this time and boldness to share their faith.

Protests

There are many protests going on in Delhi today. A man named Anna Hazare was arrested/detained this morning during a peaceful protest. He was protesting corruption in the country and trying to get a bill passed that would help with getting rid of corruption (the Jan Lokpal Bill). So far it has been a peaceful protest and Anna and their team have asked everyone to protest peacefully.

Please pray for the people of Delhi. Pray that this protest remains peaceful and those living in Delhi do not get violent. Pray for the Christians of Delhi to be bold in sharing their faith during this time and look for opportunities to share. Please pray for peace but also pray that Christians will share with others about the peace that only Jesus can bring!!

Freedom!

Today is India's Independence Day! India celebrates this day to commemorate its independence from British rule and becoming a sovereign nation in 1947. On this day many important political leaders are in Delhi to see the Prime Minister hoist the Indian flag and give a speech.

Delhi will be full of activity, kite flying, sweet-eating and fun in order to celebrate freedom!!!

Pray that today many people of Delhi will learn about TRUE FREEDOM! Pray that the Christians of Delhi will share with those that aren't believers about the true freedom they can have in Christ!

Isaiah 61:1

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."

Raksha Bandan

Today is a Hindu holiday called "Raksha Bandhan". It is sometimes called the brother-sister holiday. On this holiday, sisters tie a Rakhi (a bracelet like seen above) on their brothers wrists. The brother then offers a gift to his sister and promises to look after her and protect her. She will also give sweets to her brother.

This holiday, like many holidays, family members get together and spend time with each other. Sometimes sisters will travel a far distance to see their brothers. This is a great opportunity for the Gospel to spread in Delhi and outside of Delhi!! Pray for those sisters and other family members that are Christians. Pray that they are bold in sharing their faith as they travel to see their family. Pray that they aren't afraid to share with unbelieving family members! Pray for the brothers that are believers too, pray that they share with their unbelieving families during this time also!

Friday Prayers

In Islam there are the 5 daily prayers, but there is also the Friday prayer. Today (Friday), many Muslims will gather at the mosques of Delhi for the Friday Congregational Prayers. There will be more people than normal at the mosques because it is Ramadan.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me will all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:13

Pray for those that are praying today at the Friday Prayer time (and every other prayer time). Pray that the Muslims there will seek out the one true God will all of their heart. Pray that their hearts and minds are open. Pray for the Christians of Delhi to be open, willing and ready to share the Gospel with their Muslim friends, neighbors or people they meet in passing.

Christians During Ramadan

Many Christians aren't sure what to do when a holiday like Ramadan comes around. Many people (including Christians) in Delhi stay away from areas with high concentrations of Muslims. Please pray for Delhi Christians to be bold during this time.

³⁶"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" ³⁷Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:36-40

Please pray that Christians in Delhi will love their Muslim friends and Neighbors as they would themselves. Pray that Christians would love their neighbors so much that they would ignore any fears they have and share Jesus with their Muslim friends and neighbors.

Praying Through Ramadan

Please continue to pray for Muslims during this month of Ramadan. Please pray that the Christians of Delhi would be bold in sharing their faith with their Muslim neighbors, friends and people they meet. Pray that they will be wise in what they say and share out of love. Please pray that those Muslims will open their hearts and mind to the things that are being shared with them. Pray that their lives are changed!

^2"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Colossians 4:2-6

Muezzins of Delhi

A muezzin is the chosen person at the mosque that leads the call to prayer on Fridays and the 5 daily prayers from one of the Mosques Minarets (the tall towers in the picture above) or from some sort of electronic amplification in some of the more modern mosques. Today (Friday) there will be many Muessins in Delhi calling people to prayer for the Friday service. Please pray for these Muezzins. They have an important role in the Muslim community. Pray that the local Christians are not afraid to share with them. Pray that these Muezzin's lives are changed and that they use their high-ranking role to share with others about the amazing power of Jesus and how he can change their lives :)

Muslims of Delhi

There are more Muslims that live in South Asia than in the ENTIRE Middle East, yet they account for less than 15% of the total population! In Delhi they are often despised by non-Muslims. Pray for the Christians of Delhi! Pray that they will obey Jesus' command given in Mark 12:29-31 to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves! Pray that the Christians of Delhi will love the Muslims of Delhi and South Asia!

Ramadan Begins

Ramadan begins today. This is the Islamic month of fasting. Muslims that are participating in this holiday will fast from sunrise to sunset. During this holiday, Muslims tend to pray more than usual. Please pray for the Muslims of Delhi during this time. Pray that they will have dreams and visions that will lead them to Jesus. Pray for the Christians of Delhi to be bold in sharing their faith with their Muslim friends during this time of heightened spirituality.