Praying Through Ramadan

Some Muslims in Delhi might have heard the Gospel many years ago.  Many have heard of Jesus as a prophet but may not know the True Jesus.  Pray that this week during Ramadan, it would be a time when memories of encounters with Jesus, or believers in Jesus, would be remembered or recalled.  Pray that as people think on past truths that were shared, that there would be a deep sense of peace and joy.  Pray that many Muslims put their faith in Jesus this week!!

Kanwar Yatra 2013

The next two weeks, many roads in India will be full of thousands of watercarrying, orange-clad kanwarias.  This is an annual pilgrimage for Hindu devotees to Jesus. Kanwarias, as they're popularly called, carry holy water (kanwar) from the Ganges River from Neelkanth, Gomukh or Haridwar to be poured on the Shivlinga in their hometown on the occasion of Shivratri. This journey is done on foot, and when completed, it is supposed to fulfill their wishes and endear them to Lord Shiva.

Please pray for the people that are on this journey.  Pray that this journey leads them to a relationship with Christ!  Pray for Christians to share the Gospel with them today!  Pray for Christians to go to the rest stations and share with the Kanwarias!

Birthday of Guru Har Krishan

Today is the birthday of the Sikh Guru Har Krishan.  Many Sikhs will celebrate this holiday today by going to the Sikh Gurudwara.  Please pray that many Sikhs will learn about Jesus today.  Pray that Delhi Christians will go to the Sikh Gurudwaras today and share with Sikhs about Jesus, the Eternal Guru that will never die!

Christians During Ramadan

Many Christians aren't sure what to do when a holiday like Ramadan comes around. Many people (including Christians) in Delhi stay away from areas with high concentrations of Muslims. Please pray for Delhi Christians to be bold during this time.

³⁶"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" ³⁷Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22:36-40

Please pray that Christians in Delhi will love their Muslim friends and Neighbors as they would themselves. Pray that Christians would love their neighbors so much that they would ignore any fears they have and share Jesus with their Muslim friends and neighbors.

Praying Through Ramadan

Please continue to pray for Muslims during this month of Ramadan. Please pray that the Christians of Delhi would be bold in sharing their faith with their Muslim neighbors, friends and people they meet. Pray that they will be wise in what they say and share out of love. Please pray that those Muslims will open their hearts and mind to the things that are being shared with them. Pray that their lives are changed!

^2"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Colossians 4:2-6

Ramadan 2013

Ramadan is currently going on. This is the Islamic month of fasting. Muslims that are participating in this holiday will fast from sunrise to sunset. During this holiday, Muslims tend to pray more than usual. Please pray for the Muslims of Delhi during this time. Pray that they will have dreams and visions that will lead them to Jesus. Pray for the Christians of Delhi to be bold in sharing their faith with their Muslim friends during this time of heightened spirituality.

For more information on Ramadan, CLICK HERE :)

Holi

Today is Holi.  Holi is also called the Festival of Colors. You can read the Hindu stories that make up the history of Holi here. On the main day of this holiday, people meet with friends and neighbors and put colors on each other, spray each other with water and eat sweets together.

Things you can pray for Delhi during this holiday!

- Pray for the Christians during this holiday! Pray that they won't stay hidden in their houses, but that they will play Holi with their Hindu neighbors and spend time getting to know them!

- Pray that the Christians of Delhi will have many opportunities to share Jesus with their neighbors!

Maha Shivratri

Today is a holiday called Shivratri. This holiday is focused on the worship of Shiva. People will offer Bael leaves to Shiva and fast all day and worship him that night. Many people will have an all night long vigil. Many people will perform rituals in order to repent of their sins on this day in order to gain benefits.

Please pray for the Hindus of Delhi who are worshiping Shiva today. Pray that they will learn about the only one who can take their sins away! Pray that someone will tell them about Jesus today!!

Republic Day 2013

Today is Republic Day in India! This is a big and very popular holiday in Delhi. Whenever there is a big event or celebration, there are many opportunities. This holiday is one that brings all Indians together - no matter their religion or class - to celebrate becoming a Republic together. Unlike other holidays which come from the many different religions, this holiday brings everyone together. Christians have many opportunities during this holiday to share with their friends and neighbors. Please pray that they will be bold in sharing with everyone they come in contact with during this holiday!

Mawlid - Muhammad's Birthday

Today is Muhammad's Birthday.  Many people in Delhi will celebrate the prophet today in different ways. 

Please pray for the Muslims of Delhi today.  Pray that someone will tell them about Jesus, who was not just a prophet but so much more.  Pray for Christians to be bold today and tell Muslims about Jesus!

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!