Fire in Central Delhi

Last night there was a big fire in a slum area in Central Delhi.  Over 1000 people are left homeless!  Over 100 cycle rickshaws were burned in the fire also, so many people have not just lost their homes, but have lost their jobs as well.  It is the cold time of year here in Delhi, and many people are left without a shelter or anything.  Please pray for these families that have lost so much!  Please pray that they can find jobs, find shelter and find food.  Please pray for that the Christians of Delhi will share the love of Jesus with those people.  Pray that they will share their food, blankets and shelter with them as well!  

Happy 100th Birthday Delhi!

Today is the 100th Anniversary of Delhi being the Capital of India.  Please pray for Delhi and the people of Delhi today!  Pray that the Christians of Delhi will share the Gospel today with those around them!!

Salt of the Earth

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:13-16

Ashura

Today is a Muslim holiday called Ashura (sometimes called Moharram in Delhi). It is mostly celebrated by Shia Muslims as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali (the grandson of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad). Sunni Muslims also remember the day saying that Moses fasted on that day to thank God for taking the Israelites from Egypt.

This day is very significant for Shia Muslims. There are more than 40-55 million Shias in India! This day is very significant to Shias. They consider Husayn (the one that was martyred) the third Imam and the rightful successor of Muhammad. On this day, to connect with Husayn's martyrdom, Shias express mourning by crying and listening to poems about it and sermons on how he and his family were martyred. There are many groups of Shias that will cut themselves and hit themselves with chains on this day so that they can relate to his pain.

Many Shia believe that taking part in Ashura is to be absolved of sin. There is a popular Shia saying says: "A single tear shed for Husayn washes away a hundred sins."

Please pray for those Shias celebrating this holiday. Pray that they learn about Jesus and how he is the only one that can absolve sin and is the only way their sins can be washed away. Pray that someone will tell them that today!