Occasional attacks on Christians have been a part of life in India for years, but the recent increase in violence is very worrying. Last year around 300 clergymen and Christian leaders across the country were targets for violence. And the stories are getting more and more horrific: a 72-year-old nun from the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat, West Bengal, was gang-raped by eight men.

Prime Minister Modi promised to take a hard line on religious intolerance, saying in February this year, “We cannot accept violence on any pretext…My government will act strongly in this regard.” But this commitment has yet to materialise, as attacks continue and India’s Christians remain frightened and vulnerable.

This week please:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to pour his peace into the hearts of those who are surrounded by violence and tension;
• Pray that state authorities will begin to investigate incidents of violence against Christians;
• Thank God for our partner organisations on the ground who work to get food, medical supplies and legal support to victims of violence;
• Pray that congregations whose churches have been demolished will be able to find new places to meet together;
• Thank God for the opportunities CSW has to raise these issues at the highest political levels internationally;
• Pray that as we travel to Washington to brief politicians there, the people we meet would be receptive to our reports and policy recommendations;
• Pray that the international community would be moved to take strong action to hold Mr Modi to his promises to tackle religiously-motivated violence in India.