As the world’s largest lockdown continues to affect communities across India, our contacts have been supporting those in need. However, there have been reported incidents of Christians delivering aid being falsely accused of conversion.

On 25 August the community of Kandhamal in Odisha State will mark 12 years since the worst outbreak of anti-Christian violence in India’s history. Almost 100 people died and tens of thousands were left homeless, after false accusations spread that Christians were responsible for the murder of a prominent Hindu monk. Seven Christians were jailed for their alleged role in the murder, and although they were released on bail last year, the case is still ongoing. Tensions persist in the area. More recently, on 4 June a 14-year-old Christian boy was brutally murdered after being kidnapped from his home by assailants.

Violence against Christians continues to the present day, with families being attacked and ostracised from their villagers because of their faith. In May three families in a village in Chhattisgarh State were beaten and threatened with death for refusing to abandon their religion. The families had to flee for their lives, and have taken refuge in another location.

• Thank God for the overwhelming courage, generosity and selflessness shown by those who are providing rations and groceries to Christian families who have lost incomes and are facing livelihood challenges, during the current lockdown.
• Pray that God will bring willing hearts to help this effort.
• Pray that they will be protected from the virus, as well as from those who would wish them harm. Declare that no weapon formed against Christians during the lockdown would prosper, particularly in Odisha State.
• One of our contacts has asked us to pray that he will be able to find a permanent hall to be used for prayer. Pray that God will provide this for him.
• Pray for all law enforcement officers to administer their duties with integrity and impartiality.
• Pray that the accusations against Muslims as being responsible for the spread of the coronavirus will stop. Continue to pray for reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims.
• Pray that the prolonged Kandhamal litigation against the seven Christians will come to an end soon, and justice will be done for those affected by the violence.

Heavenly Father, we commit to you today the religious minority communities of India. Thank you for their incredible generosity of spirit in providing aid and medical supplies. And we pray that this pandemic will be a turning point when India’s people and government acknowledge that the religious minorities living among them should have equal rights and equal respect. We commit all this to you in the precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. (Proverbs 25:21)

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