I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 ESV
Several years ago I became connected via Messenger to a friend in India. She and her family live in central India, where there is much persecution. There has been a deliberate attack against Christians and an effort to get believers to reconvert to Hinduism. Many believers in this area meet in house churches. Some of them have been burned. Many pastors and leaders have been arrested. I’ve included excerpts from our shared messages, her words are in italics. It is a reality check on how some of our brothers and sisters are facing persecution.
There ministry includes a Bible College that trains church planters. These are very courageous believers that are living persecuted lives. May 28 she sent me this message after we prayed for one of their pastors to be released from jail. Pastor Ramesh is one of our senior Pastor and he had more than 500 members were there. After he closed the church believers are scattered. Please pray for this church and family. She sent me pictures of those displaced believers. Sleeping in a large room, with no place to go. She sent me pictures of gentlemen who were beaten for their beliefs. I am sorry for sending these pictures. I just wanted you friends to be aware of the fact of persecution and its seriousness and take action for Indian Christians. During this time, new leaders were elected with the plan to legislate against conversion, similar to Muslim countries.
July 15, I received this message. Thank you so much for your prayers and concern dear loving Friend. Hearing from you means a lot. On Sunday two more church was attacked and Pastors were arrested. Believers are scattered and forced to reconvert to Hinduism. Please continue to pray for our family and ministry. These are real people experiencing persecution and tribulation as Jesus foretold.
July 17: Thank you so much for your prayers for our family, ministry and people. Appreciate you interceding and standing with us in prayer support. Last Sunday we met underground. Radicals are getting furious when we meet for worship. Our country supposed to be secular but after joining of radical prime minister Hindu are provoked against Christians and Muslims, they forcefully trying to reconvert. They wanted India to be Hindu country. WE are continue under terror, seek your continue prayers. I keep responding with encouragement and prayer support.
July 28: We do pray everyday for the intervention in our ministry. God is doing great miracles answering our prayers. Our churches too are growing in numbers despite of severe persecution. Persecution has become part of our life but our God Almighty is giving us the increase. I love you dear precious friend. You means a lot and I am indebted you are remembering us in prayer.
August 13: Yesterday we had a big rally against the radicals and my husband and myself joined there. It was a peaceful one. Please pray government hears our supplication and gives us protection. Many churches have been destroyed. They are needed to rebuild. People are not having a place to worship.
August 16: She sent me a video of the radicals rally. It was very frightening. Of course it wasn’t in English, but you could feel the intimidation and threats. Today they have viral whatsapp message to attack 10 churches. Very sad they are attacking girls and women, last Sunday they attacked a church at Kukurbeda and abused the women and did all kinds of vulgar actions and threatened to rape in ass. My heart is breaking for my people. We are insecure in this place but what to do, only the Lord protect. This message broke my heart.
After I sent scripture and prayer she sent this response August 21: Blessed hearing from you sweet loving friend. Your precious words are an encouragement to me at this crucial hour. Please continue to pray we are fighting a battle. We believe the Lord is fighting our battle and we are more than conqueror. Love you so much for your prayers.
Sept 11: Good morning sweet loving friend. How do you do? WE appreciate your prayers. Situation is not in our favor. Please pray for India. Government has issued Anti-conversion bills to trap Christians and put them in jail. Please keep praying for India, may the Lord intervene for our situation.
Then in the middle of this: September 19: I was away for Samaritan’s Purse NCONNECT India. WE have completed two seasons and planning to go for the third one. I am blessed to be selected as a Discipleship Co-ordinator for Chhattisgarh, I love you and appreciate your prayers for my country. What an encouragement that Samaritan’s Purse is connecting during these difficult times. I know it was a blessing for her to take a break for some encouragement.
Unfortunately October 4, I received this short message. My husband pastor Kishor Senapati and father pastors Sinkandar Singh is put to jail in accusation of conversion. So now her husband is in jail. They plan to fight against his arrest.
I asked her how we/I should pray. Please pray for provision to hire a lawyer who can fight my husbands case and win. She then sends a short message. If any body wants to donate please link them to my PayPal account. marymessiah@yahoo.com.
This is the first time she has asked for funds. We have been communicating since 2019. Even if you do not feel let to give, would you please pray for our brothers and sisters in India? It’s never been easy to share the gospel there, but now it is even more difficult. I share her story here, because they need our support and care. Plus it is a heads up to what we as believers in this country could face. Southern India has the most Christian population compared to Northern and Central India. Please pray for the believers specifically in these areas. Our prayers do make a difference. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5: 10.
Father, I ask you set these two brothers free. Give peace to their families and wisdom to hire the right lawyer. Oh my Father, may your name be glorified and your kingdom expanded in India. Show us how to help them. Thank you for these believers who are willing to suffer for your kingdom’s sake. In Jesus’ Name amen.
Faith Encounters 