Monsoon Effects

The Times of India Newspaper has reported that this is the most rain Delhi has had in the last 35 years! As of yesterday, the water level in the Yamuna touched 207.03 meters - this is over 2 meters above the danger mark! This is a big problem in Delhi. There are many homes and villages on the Yamuna flood plains and many people are losing their homes and entire villages are under water. There are many people staying in government relief camps until the flood waters recede. The rains are flooding farming areas also which has caused the price of vegetables to rise. The rains effect everyone in Delhi. The rains have also caused a drastic increase in Mosquito breeding. Many mosquitoes are carrying the dengue virus. One doctor was quoted yesterday as saying that she (along with her fellow doctors) each see 20-25 cases every day of people with dengue. Although the numbers are very disputed, some people say there are over 5,000 cases of dengue in Delhi.

Please pray for the Christian workers in Delhi. Pray that they stay protected from Dengue so that they can continue to share Jesus' love with everyone! Pray that Christians will care for their friends that have Dengue and share the love of Jesus with them. Pray for those that are effected by the flooding. Pray for Christians to show them Jesus' love by helping them and sharing with them.

Ganesh Chaturathi

*Photo courtesy of todaysheadlines.org

Today is the final day of the holiday called Ganesh Chaturathi. This holiday is not largely celebrated in Delhi as it is in other parts of India, but many people still worship to the god Ganesh during this holiday for 10 days and then submerge the idols on the 10th day. Today, the last day, is when people go to the "holy rivers" of India and submerge Ganesh idols into the water. Please pray for people that are doing this today. Pray that they will feel empty inside while doing this. Pray that they know that something is missing in their lives. Pray for Christians in Delhi to share Jesus with these people!

Post-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!

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.

Pray for Muslims!

God loves Muslims and wants every one of them to have a relationship with him. Many Christians do not pray for Muslims because of prejudices or fears. Please pray and ask God to give us and other Christians a heart that is filled with love and compassion towards Muslims. Please pray for the Muslims of Delhi. Pray that their hearts are open during this Ramadan season and that many will come to a relationship with Jesus! Please also pray for other Christians in Delhi that they will not be afraid to share with their Muslim friends and neighbors.

Dengue!

Delhi is facing a Dengue Fever outbreak. This time last year, there were 4 reported cases of Dengue. This year, so far, there are 674 reported cases of Dengue. Dengue is a mosquito-born virus that is sometimes called "bone-break fever." It has rained more this month in Delhi than it has in the last 15 years! All of that extra water is making a lot of puddles and making many breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Please pray for the the people of Delhi during this time. Please pray that the outbreak of dengue will be squelched. Pray that the Christians of Delhi would find ways to help those that get dengue and show them the love of Jesus.

Commonwealth Games - Displacement

Many people are going to be displaced before and during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The authorities in Delhi are evicting roadside vegetable sellers, cobblers, presswallahs (those that iron clothes) and food vendors that aren't officially "legal". Many people will not be able to work for a full month. Many people will have nowhere to go. Those people are very worried and stressed about what is going to happen during this time. A majority of those people live day-by-day from the money they make each day and aren't sure how they are going to provide for their families.

Please pray for those displaced workers and families in Delhi. Pray that local Christians will reach out to them and show them Christ's love. Pray that those that are displaced that are believers will have a peace though the hard times that they are going through and reach out to their other displaced friends and families. Pray that the government changes this plan and allows those people to work during the games.

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!

Muslim Women of Delhi

During this season of Ramadan, please pray for the Muslim women of Delhi. Many Muslim women don't get many opportunities to get out of the house, but during Ramadan many get more opportunities than they normally do. Many women are out in the mornings because they aren't having to cook the day-time meals. Please pray for these women as they are out of their houses. Pray that they will meet Christians that will share with them the hope of Salvation. Pray that the Christian women of Delhi will intentionally try to meet with and talk to their Muslim friends and neighbors and tell them about Jesus. Pray that these Muslim women will be open to hearing about Jesus. Pray that they have dreams and visions that will lead them to a relationship with Jesus Christ!

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.