Preparing to Celebrate

Navratri is a nine day celebration of the goddess Durga of the Hindu religion. This year the festival starts on October 5.  In Gujarat, this is a major festival and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by almost everyone, not just Hindus. There will be puja (worship of the goddess), dancing, feasting, and more dancing. Some people have been preparing for the festival for many weeks, practicing and perfecting the dance. Special Navratri garments will be purchased, often one for each night, as well as ornate jewelry. Villages and neighborhoods will prepare ever more elaborate celebrations, with special singers brought in and loudspeaker systems set up.
Pray for the people of Gujarat as they prepare for this festival. Pray for unsettled hearts as they contemplate their plans. Pray for a realization of the futility of the celebration. Pray for an opening for the Spirit of God to speak to the people,  “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear”. Acts 28:27

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