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!