Chhath 2015

Today begins a Hindu holiday called Chhath (छठ - also called Dala Chhath). This is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun god - Surya. Puja (worship) is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to ask for things. The sun is worshiped during this festival to promote progress, prosperity and well-being. Sun worship is believed to help cure a many diseases like leprosy and is believed to give long lives and prosperity to family members and friends.

The rituals of this festival are observed over 4 days. Some of the rituals are holy bathing (in the holy rivers), fasting from both food and water, standing in water for long periods of time and praying and giving offerings to the rising and setting sun.

Please pray for the Hindus of Delhi during this time.  Pray that they will learn of the true light of the world and begin worshiping the Son instead of the sun.

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 5:14-16

Nehru Jayanti - Children's Day!

Today is a holiday called Children's Day! This holiday is internationally celebrated on the 20th of November, but India celebrates it today on the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru (India's first Prime Minister) who loved children. Children get special treatment on this day and it is a day loved by all children!

Please pray for the children of Delhi! There are millions of children in Delhi that don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ! Please pray for them as they go about their day. Pray that they will learn about Jesus. pray for the Christian children in Delhi, that they won't be afraid to share Jesus with their friends! Pray that they are bold!

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak's birthday is November 28th (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!

Moharram / Ashura 2014

Tomorrow is a Muslim holiday called Ashura (sometimes called Moharram in Delhi).  The celebrations begin tonight at sunset.  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!

Chhath 2014

Today begins a Hindu holiday called Chhath (छठ - also called Dala Chhath). This is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun god - Surya. Puja (worship) is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to ask for things. The sun is worshiped during this festival to promote progress, prosperity and well-being. Sun worship is believed to help cure a many diseases like leprosy and is believed to give long lives and prosperity to family members and friends.

The rituals of this festival are observed over 4 days. Some of the rituals are holy bathing (in the holy rivers), fasting from both food and water, standing in water for long periods of time and praying and giving offerings to the rising and setting sun.

Please pray for the Hindus of Delhi during this time.  Pray that they will learn of the true light of the world and begin worshiping the Son instead of the sun.

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 5:14-16

Raksha Bandhan

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!

Pray for Boldness!

^"7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

2 Timothy 1:7-10

Please pray for the Christians of Delhi - pray for boldness!

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

COLD!

The weather in Delhi is now cold. There are thousands of homeless people in Delhi and many more that are having to sleep in the cold weather without protection from the cold. Many idols in richer neighborhoods (as seen in the picture above) are taken care of and given warm things to wear while many people are freezing. Please pray for the Christians of Delhi. Pray that they show love to their friends and neighbors that are suffering right now. Pray that they share Jesus' love by caring for them physically and spiritually.

Makar Sankranti / Pongal / Maghi

Today is the first day of a holiday called Pongal or Makar Sankranti or Maghi.  This is a holiday that is called different names and celebrated differently all over the country (and all over Delhi as well).  

On this holiday, many Hindus will go to the Ganges (or stay in Delhi and go to the Yamuna River) and bathe (to clean themselves and get a new start to the new year).

Many Sikhs will visit the Gurdwara (temple) to honor the Forty Liberated Ones (Chali Mukte) that sacrificed their own lives defending an attack and pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh.

Today, some groups of people in Delhi completely clean out their homes.  They collect all of their unwanted things and give them away.  All of the useless household items will be burnt in a fire tonight.  This day marks the start of a new cycle or a new beginning.  

This day is supposed to be for domestic activities and being together with family.  Please pray for new Christians in Delhi on this day. Pray that they will be together with their families for this holiday and share the love of Jesus as they work to help clean.  Pray that Christians will use today to share with their friends, family and neighbors how they can really have a New Beginning by having a relationship with Jesus!!  Pray that many people today will have a new beginning!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!"

2 Corinthians 5:17  

Lohri

Today is a holiday called Lohri.   It's a Punjabi holiday that is dedicated to the end of the Winter Season.  Tonight, many people will build fires and stand around them together singing songs and celebrating that the weather will begin to get warmer now.  There are a few religious things that can be associated with the holiday, but for most people in Delhi it is just a "folk" holiday.  They will sing folk songs, throw popcorn into the fire and sing and dance until the fire goes out.  Drummers will walk around the neighborhoods and play for the people around the fires.  

Please pray for those celebrating tonight.  Please pray for the Christians that are in those groups of people celebrating Lohri.   Pray that they use their opportunity with their friends and neighbors to tell a Bible story or teach a song about Jesus.  Pray that they are bold in sharing their faith!