Pray also for us

Local pastors and lay leaders go all over the state of Gujarat, sharing the Gospel, discipling new believers, and training believers in how to share the Story themselves. Most of these men make very little money, and often have other jobs they must tend to. They rarely travel by car, but usually depend on scooters, buses, trains and feet to get them to cities, towns and villages around the state. Please intercede for these pastors and leaders. Pray for their physical safety as they travel, for their health as they keep busy schedules, and for their families as they spend so much time away from home. Pray for their spiritual health and growth as they travel into dark places where Satan holds much control. Petition for them to have boldness and to speak with the authority that comes from God. Ask the Spirit to go before them to prepare hearts and open doors for the Good News.

Col 4:3  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.

Fighting the darkness

John 3:19  “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

Spiritual darkness engulfs Gujarat and is often seen in villages in men who practice dark magic. Those men are threatened when Believers enter their villages, and will accost and threaten them, demanding they stay away.  Please pray for those who practice black magic.  Pray that they will be convicted and will turn away from their evil practices.  Please pray for the people in the villages who are often frightened of black magic, but enthralled with it.  Pray that they will be drawn to the Light, and turn to God.  Pray for Believers who live in the villages, and those who go purposefully to share the Good News.  Pray that they will be bold in sharing, and not give in to fear.

The light of the world

As Hindus continue to celebrate Diwali, pray for the Believers of Gujarat to stand up for Christ and to boldly share during this season. Pray that all Believers will obey their Saviour’s challenge in Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world… 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…”  And pray that Hindus, who live in spiritual darkness all their lives will be drawn to that light, longing to know the Source.

Diwali

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, begins tonight in Gujarat and throughout the world as Hindus celebrate the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.  The festival is a time of worship, of visiting friends and family, of giving gifts.  Candles are lit throughout the house, and fireworks will be lit across the country.

Hindus live their lives in spiritual darkness. Is it any wonder that they so love Diwali, the “Festival of Light”?
Pray that this Diwali Hindus will know the truth found in 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is a fast observed from sunrise to moonrise by married women for the long life of their husband. Married women worship Lord Shiva and His family including Lord Ganesha and break the fast only after sighting and making the offerings to the moon. How much more effective would the efforts of these women be if they were praying to the true God, our Lord who is able to grant life to their husbands.  Please pray for the Hindu wives in Gujarat as the undertake Karwa Chauth today (Oct 11).  Pray that they will realize the futility of praying to false gods and will seek to know God, for themselves and for their families.

Prov 31:12 She does him (her husband) good and not harm all the days of her life.

True Power

Navratri continues throughout Gujarat and India. For many people, particularly women, Navratri is the most important time of worship throughout the year.  Many will make a place for the goddess in their home and call her to stay there.  Even those who do not perform daily ‘pujas’ (or rituals) may carefully observe fasts during Navratri. Many claim they have experienced the ‘shakti’, or power, of the goddess during this festival.

Pray for the people of Gujarat to experience the power of the true God this week.  Pray that they will be drawn to him and will feel the hopelessness of their traditional worship.  Pray for Believers in Gujarat to step forth boldly and share the truth.

Micah 5:13

and I will cut off your carved images
    and your pillars from among you,
and you shall bow down no more
    to the work of your hands;

Navratri

Navratri, which began on the 25th of September,  will continue until October 3rd.  The days of Navratri are actually the time for three major festivals – Navratri, Durga Puja, and Dusshera, each of which are celebrated with different customs and importance depending on the region. The word Navratri means ‘nine nights’ in Sanskrit. During this time, nine different forms of the female divinity known as ‘Shakti’ (female power), ‘Devi’ (Goddess), or ‘Durga’ (name of a Goddess) are worshipped.  In Gujarat, this festival time is celebrated with daily fasts and nightly puja (worship) followed by hours of dancing.

Please pray for the people of Gujarati as they celebrate Navratri, that they will seek to know the true God.  Praise God for His victory over the Enemy! Pray boldly
against strongholds in the Hindu community.

Jeremiah 1:16 And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.

Ganesha

Ganesha Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the Hindu festival of Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, who is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees in the duration of this festival. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesha who is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. Hindus love Ganesh and will bring giant idols of him into their homes. They worship him for 10 days, then they carry him in procession for immersion in the nearest large body of water. 

Please pray for the homes in Gujarat that will be filled with Ganesh worship for the next week.  Pray that they will be uncomfortable in the darkness and will seek to know the Light that is Christ.  Pray for Believers to be bold in sharing the Light with their neighbors.

Psa 97:7  All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship Him, all you gods!

Independence Day

Today the people of Gujarat and all of India are celebrating, rejoicing in their Independence.  This is ironic, when the majority of the people of India are captive to their religions and the beliefs that keep them from knowing the one source of freedom.
 Pray for the people of Gujarat and India today.  Pray that they will realize their captive state and will seek freedom in Christ Jesus.  Pray that Believers today will share boldly and remember that “He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives”.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36

Ask rain

By this time, Gujarat should be well into the monsoon season.  But this year, rain started late and has been very sporadic.  When you are talking about a state with 60 million people, a shortage of rain can soon become a big problem, both in available water and in agriculture.  Please pray for rain from the Father.  Pray that the people of Gujarat will seek help from the true God, and pray that when He answers they will give Him the glory.

Zechariah 10:1 Ask rain from the LORD in the season of the spring rain, from the LORD who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain.