Despite India’s long history of tolerance, attacks on religious minorities usually go unpunished and since Prime Minister Modi took office last May, we’ve seen a 55% spike in attacks on Christians.

Churches have been demolished, missionaries detained and beaten, nuns attacked – including one incident of gang rape. Yet the Prime Minister says, “We cannot accept violence against any religion on any pretext and I strongly condemn such violence. My government will act strongly in this regard.” Sadly, we and the Christians of India are still waiting for the promised strong action.

This Friday, 28 August, marks seven years since the Christian community of Kandhamal was devastated in a brutal attack which left 90 dead and forced over 54,000 to flee their homes. Although some people were detained in connection with this incident, more and more have been acquitted and released.

• Thank God for India’s history of tolerance, with different religious communities living peacefully side by side;
• Pray that even now, seven years after attacks on the Christians of Kandhamal, justice would be done for them;
• Pray that judges would have the courage to make decisions which may be unpopular, in order to bring justice;
• Pray for physical, mental and emotional healing for the victims of recent attacks, including the nun who was raped;
• Pray that CSW’s advocacy will bear fruit and that Prime Minister Modi will keep his promise to act strongly against religious violence;
• Pray that the violent attacks against Christians and other religious minorities would stop;
• Pray that the authorities would take strong action to make it clear that religiously-motivated violence will not be tolerated, and that peace and tolerance are India’s priorities.