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!

Ashura / Moharram

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

A Hindu holiday called Chhath (छठ - also called Dala Chhath) is currently going on.  Tomorrow is the last day.  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

Post Diwali

As with many holidays, Diwali has a lot of excitement and hype leading up to it. With holidays like that there can be a lot of post-holiday blues. Many people can get down and depressed after a big holiday. Please pray for Christians of Delhi this time. Pray that they can be there for their Hindu, Jain and Sikh friends after the holidays. Pray that they can show them hope and joy that comes only from Jesus! Pray that Christians are bold in sharing their faith!

Diwali - Day 5 - Bhai Duj

Today is the last day of Diwali. This day (Bhai Duj or Bhau-beej) is for celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. The sisters will put a tilak (line or lines) on their brother's forehead and the brothers will pamper their sisters and pledge to stand by her side through all of the ups and downs in life.

This part of the holiday isn't as popular in Delhi as in other parts of India, but this can be an important day for people. Please pray for those Christian brothers and sisters that are a part of a Hindu, Jain or Sikh family. Pray that they can really minister to their families on this day. Pray for other Christians that they will show brotherly and sisterly love to their friends and neighbors and that they will share the love of Jesus with them!

Diwali - Day 4 - Padwa & Govardhan Puja

Today is the fourth day of Diwali called Padwa and Govardhan Puja. On this day, as a symbol of love and affection between husband and wife, the married couples exchange gifts. They will also celebrate the Govardhan Puja (worship).

Please pray for the people of Delhi at this time. Pray that Christians will share the love of Jesus with their neighbors. Pray that they will show them how to have a relationship with Jesus! Pray for Christian couples during this day also, that their relationships will be strengthened.

Diwali - Day 3 - Festival of Lights!

Today is the day many people refer to as Diwali. This is the third day of Diwali and it is usually called Diwali, Festival of Lights or Lakshmi Puja (Lakshmi Worship). Many families begin this day by making rangolis (one is seen in the picture above). Diwali is the Festival of Lights! Light is the theme of this day of the holiday! Houses and businesses are all decorated with lights. On this night, people will light diyas (lamps) and light firecrackers most of the night! Light is an important part of this holiday! It is the conquering of light over darkness!

"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 that Christians are bold in sharing their light! Pray for lives to be changed!!

Diwali - Day 2 - Choti Diwali (Little Diwali)

Today is the 2nd day of Diwali called "Choti Diwali" (also known as Little Diwali or Narak Chaturdasi). A popular legend about this day is that the god Krishna freed the earth from fear and the tyranny of the demon King Naraksur. Most people buy sweets on this day to give to their friends and family. This part of the festival is said to mark the end of evil and the beginning of joy and laughter.

The TRUE God is the only one who can give true joy and laughter.

"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 Hindus, Jains and Sikhs of Delhi, that they will come to know TRUE joy and laughter that can only come from Jesus Christ!

- Please pray for the new believers of Delhi and 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 an stay in their community while also standing strong for Jesus and showing the difference he has made in their life!

- 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!!