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Hindu World Guide

Christians Learning about and Praying for the Hindu world

Join Christians around the world in prayer for our one billion neighbors Welcome to the 15 days of Prayer for the Hindu World

s many of you know, since 1993 WorldChristian.com has published an annual prayer guide calling the Church to make a concerted effort to learn about, pray for and reach A Desire to Bless out to our world’s Muslim neighbors, particularly during . It is not our intention A with this prayer focus Several times up to 2004 we also produced an informative prayer guide booklet that focused on the Hindu world. Unfortunately, over the years we were unable to respond to to disparage or its repeated requests to produce a new edition. But the right time may now have come. majority in any Over the last two years, a number of people around the world have sought me out to way. On the contrary, as convey that they sensed was calling for a renewed emphasis on India and the Hindu Christians we embrace community. Following several meetings, I have come to feel that God was nudging me as the truth that we have well. been blessed (as Paul You hold in your hand the first fruit of a collaborative effort to mobilize the Church to learn reminds us in Galatians about and pray for our world’s over one billion Hindu adherents. 3:8) so we can be a Please join with Christians in different countries who will set aside October 8–22 to pray to the nations. specifically for the Holy to move among and to reveal , the true Light of We recognize that India and the World, to them. The time roughly coincides with a season of Hindu festivals, particularly are far too complex, and so full of great , a very popular festival of lights. traditions, to easily condense, explain or (If this timeframe does not work for your take lightly within a mere booklet. church, ministry or group, feel free to As Christians, we yearn that all the select another 15 days; there is no reason world’s people(s) will have a tangible not to pray at other times.) opportunity to comprehend the of Thank you for joining us. If you are God incarnated in Jesus Christ. For this able, please also consider becoming a reason, we inform ourselves, so that we regular supporter of this ministry and may understand, and learn how to pray help us to encourage understanding of for and support respectful efforts to make and prayer for our world. that grace also known within our world’s Indian and Hindu communities. Paul WorldChristian.com Additional Booklets 1 See Order Form on page 32 introduction A note on the term “Hinduism” What is their access to the ? To speak of Hinduism as a religion is an attempt at simplification that Hindus comprise the second largest least-reached religious group in is ultimately unproductive. There is no central or set of the world. It is estimated that only about two percent of cross-cultural beliefs, adherence to which can be used to determine who is and is not focus on sharing the Gospel with them. The majority of a Hindu. What is popularly called Hinduism might be better described Hindus still live without any meaningful opportunity to understand as a diverse parliament of systems, each of which might have its the Gospel of Jesus Christ. separate , beliefs, etc. It might be better still to speak of many Hinduisms, instead of one Hinduism. However, it is useful to recognize What are the origins of Hindu beliefs and practices? that the word “Hinduism” is in such wide use today, Many , , authors and famous personalities have even by Hindus themselves, that its use is almost contributed to the development of the many Hinduisms. unavoidable. However, none of them are considered alone to have been the founder of the Hindu way of Who is a Hindu? life. Hindus comprise about 15 percent of the While most Hindus will affirm religious world’s population. Little discussion or texts as being valuable, there are not teaching exists in any of the numerous any sacred texts that are held to be fully Hindu traditions about how someone and equally authoritative across all of may either become or cease being a the many Hinduisms. Complex and diverse Hindu. Instead, caste traditions, historical Hindu traditions have been in precedence and traditional worldview hold in South Asia since antiquity. Indeed, that there are few, if any, acceptable doors for the farther we go back in history, the Hindus to cease being Hindu or for those not more difficult it becomes to identify born into the Hindu community to become one distinctive beliefs and practices. In (though some notable persons have tried). In short, fact, without a single founder, founding to be Hindu is primarily based on being born a event, or central authoritative sacred Hindu, and not on any specific or belief in text, the freedom to change, adopt new any particular divine being. ideas and develop new traditions has become 2 India in some Numbers one of the most common and easily recognizable traits in the Hindu HINDU DEMOGRAPHICS tradition. The Hindu community’s perception of itself continues to evolve at Globally an ever increasing pace. How this self-perception evolves will have ■ The number of Hindus around the world is projected to rise from significant implications for both Hindus as well as the rest of the world. slightly more than one billion in 2010 to nearly 1.4 billion in 2050. As a percentage of the world population, Hindus will remain fairly Why pray leading up to and during Diwali? stable at 15 percent. There are many excellent times to pray for Hindus throughout the ■ While the top-three countries with the largest number of Hindus year. The five-day festival of Diwali is probably the most well-known are India, Nepal and Bangladesh, the first two are the only countries and recognizable of all Hindu festivals. Diwali takes place in either with a Hindu-majority population. October or November each year and is popularly known as the festival of lights. Hindus often give Diwali a position of importance above all India other festivals, and during it they place particular emphasis on seeking ■ India’s Hindu adherents make up about 80 percent of the total and celebrating the in their lives. So to use this prayer guide population of 1.3 billion, followed by 14.2 percent Muslim and 2.3 during Diwali seems appropriate. percent Christian (2011 estimate). Given the importance that most Hindus place on Diwali, it is ■ According to the Pew Research Center, appropriate that we should specifically pray that Hindus worldwide by 2050, India will have the distinction of would also receive the greatest blessing of all—a of Jesus, having the largest populations of two of who is the Light of the World and Savior for all humanity. the three largest in the world— and Hinduism. ■ India now recognizes 22 official languages (out of hundreds that are spoken). While Hindi is spoken by most Indians, English “Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light (a subsidiary official language) is the most important language for political, of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in commercial and national purposes. darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12) continued overleaf North America ■ The number of Hindus in North America is estimated to rise from about 2.5 million in 2010 to nearly six million by 2050. ■ Their number in the USA will rise from about 1.8 million in 2010 to 4.8 million by 2050. Canada’s Hindu population is estimated to reach one million by 2050.

CHRISTIAN DEMOGRAPHICS ■ Estimates of Indians identifying themselves as Christian range from 25–80 million. ■ The number of Christians in Nepal grew from barely a handful 65 years ago, to an estimated two percent of the current population of 29 million, making it one of the fastest growing Christian populations in the world. (https://nepalchurch.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/ history-of-christians-in-nepal/) ■ A 2013 Pew Research study reported that India has one of the highest levels of social hostilities involving religion in the world. Despite ever-growing aggressions by Hindu nationalists targeting Christians, observers agree that the bigger challenge is actually the need for training many more church leaders to pastor the influx of new believers.

Sources: http://www.pewforum.org, World FactBook and Operation World 4 By Dr A M Thundiath An Indian medical professional who studied Thank you for Praying Hinduism and Islam, eager to understand what God is doing.

am so delighted that 15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World is Open Door’s World Watch List, which tracks persecution of launching … again. I was inspired by the 30 Days of Prayer for Christians, now ranks India at number 15, up from number 31 four Ithe Muslim World that God birthed in the early 1990’s just as the years ago. Almost daily there are reports about Hindu extremists heartland of the Muslim world entered a period of turmoil and war, targeting Christian meeting places, falsely accusing them in front of because in the midst of upheavals as—in the of Acts—“the Word intimidated police of disturbing the peace. When these methods do of God has continued to spread and prevail mightily” (Acts 19:20). not succeed in converting Christians to , they often escalate to In the late 1990’s we collaborated with WorldChristian.com to violence, such as burning churches or beating up clerics. publish the 30 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World. While it sadly went The majority of the Christians that are targeted are from the lower out of print in 2004, it helped inspire national prayer initiatives that castes, such as the , who number about 200 million. Their low mobilized 50,000 independent churches over the next decade. socioeconomic status makes them an easy target for extremists. This is now being followed up with annual meetings of many Indian The clampdown has also been severe on Christian ministries who denominational leaders, growing from 100 leaders in attendance receive foreign funds; they are charged with “anti-national” activities. in 2014, to over a 1,000 in 2017. The goal is to seek a major revival of Foreign Christians subjected to the same accusation have had their India’s 40-plus million Christians. visas and charitable activities terminated. Western Christians should be careful of putting news on their websites as they are monitored by the INCREASED RESPONSE AND PERSECUTION government. Many thousands of Indian cross-cultural missionaries are at work Yet, despite the dramatic escalation of violations against religious across the subcontinent. Hundreds of thousands of Nepalis, Indians freedom since 2014, according to many Christian leaders the biggest and Sri Lankans are turning to Christ, both in the subcontinent and challenge facing the Church in India is discipleship. There is a great among the South Asian diaspora. need for training many more pastors to help mature the character of However, since 2014 there has been a growing religious intolerance new believers to be able to withstand persecution. toward Christians in India and Nepal after the Hindu nationalist So, in summary, I am delighted about the launching of the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election in India. The BJP and 15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World … THE . other now-emboldened nationalist groups aim to impose Hindutva (Hindu-ness) on the country’s minorities (, Dalits, Christians, While praying for the Hindu world please pray Habakkuk 3:2 tribals and the non-religious who constitute about 40 percent of the • That God’s people may see what God is doing. population). Hindutva is an ideology that started 90 years ago among • That God’s people may be revived. high-caste . • That God may have on His persecuted Church. 5 DAY October 8 for their loved ones: the festival of Karwa 1 (or Karva) Chauth

halash was married off while still a child. water and led them in a time of prayer for and perhaps break their fast together with a When her husband came to in Jesus, their husbands. She told the story of the meal after dark when the moon first becomes Kshe soon followed. Khalash longed to woman who met Jesus at the well, and used visible. use Hindu cultural traditions to share the light it to illustrate how they could talk to Jesus of Jesus with others. She was excited when about their concerns. At the end of their WAYS TO PRAY she realized that the festival of Karwa Chauth, prayer time together, she gave each of them a • Pray that Hindu women who are fasting when Hindu wives fast for their husbands, clay pot as a symbol to remind them how they today develop a deep spiritual thirst for could be a way for her to share her faith. should continue to thirst for God and ask Him living water that satisfies and wells up On Karwa Chauth, she invited several of her to fill them with His . to eternal life, just as Jesus promised the friends to her home to celebrate. Khalash The festival of Karwa Chauth began many Samaritan woman. encouraged her friends to thirst for living generations ago. In the Hindi language, • Pray that Hindu women Jesus’ Karwa means “clay pot” and Chauth light in their lives and become bold and means “fourth”, which is a reference to brightly shining lights that reflect the the festival falling on the fourth day of Jesus to their husbands, children, during a waning moon. Today, many extended family and communities. women will rise before sunrise to eat • Pray that Hindu husbands would meet and drink before their fast begins Jesus, discover true godliness and live long, at dawn. Traditionally, a woman healthy lives that bring glory to God. fasting on Karwa Chauth does no housework. Instead, she will dress up “Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who in her finest clothes and often gather together with other wives at the drinks of this water will be thirsty house of an older woman. The elder again, but whoever drinks of the might tell a story, and then they will pray and share small gifts (eg water that I will give him will never bangles, lipstick and a piece of fruit), be thirsty again.’” (John 4:13–14) 6 DAY 2October 9 India and its worldwide influence ndia is the world’s largest democracy, with customer base. Indian physicians are found are now neighbors or coworkers. Others send an estimated population of 1.34 billion. The practicing in many countries. Global their children to schools where they will study IUnited Nations forecasts that India will surpass information technology industries, including with Hindu classmates. The high pace of China and become the most populous nation on software development and support, frequently development in India, as well as globalization earth by 2022. The Indian government estimates have an Indian connection. and large-scale immigration of educated that almost 80 percent of India’s population is As a result of these changes many followers Indians, has contributed to this change. Today, Hindu, which means that there are over one of Christ (particularly in the Western world) who more Hindus are in contact with followers of billion Hindus in India alone. previously would have had to travel far to meet Christ than ever before. India’s global influence continues to grow at a Hindu, now find they are meeting Hindus at a rapid pace, reaching around the world and home in multiple new ways. Some WAYS TO PRAY making a visible impact • Pray for more Christians to focus ministry on in areas such as media, the Hindu peoples of the world. entertainment, medicine, • Pray that more disciples of Jesus would learn and technology, how to communicate the Good News to Hindus business and banking. in ways that resonate with their hearts and Many international minds. corporations have • Pray that movements of Hindus towards Christ established divisions will emerge and grow in all types of Hindu in India—recognizing communities. that India currently has the fastest-growing economy in the world. Indian companies are expanding their reach India’s global influence continues outward as well. Strong to grow at a rapid pace, reaching Indian brands, such as Tata, Mahindra and around the world … Reliance, are being introduced to an ever-increasing global 7 DAY 3October 10 Devotion to Jesus: Naniji’s story arly one morning, Naniji glanced across , Naniji experienced a profound Naniji sat on the floor with other the street. To her surprise she noticed a sense of (devotion, or attachment women from the community and Eface smiling and looking back at her from to God) that was greater than she had ever a latticed window in the building opposite. experienced before. This presence deeply enjoyed the music. It was a face she didn’t recognize. One day, a impacted her and she resolved to seek its special concert, featuring bhajans (traditional source. devotional worship songs), took place in that Naniji soon learned that the people living felt whole on the inside. She came to believe same building. As is common in India, all across the street also prayed for those who Yeshu’s love for her without any of the fears the neighbors, including Naniji, were invited were afflicted by evil spirits. She became or doubts that she had had before. Later she to attend. Naniji sat on the floor with other very curious and one day went over to see came to think that the smiling face that she women from the community and enjoyed the what was happening. When she arrived, she had seen through the latticed window was worship music. During the time of singing witnessed evil spirits that had been afflicting Yeshu. people respond with fear She continues to follow Yeshu and, in spite and submission to the name of strong opposition, testifies about Him of Yeshu (Jesus). without fear wherever she goes. After witnessing the power of Yeshu’s name, WAYS TO PRAY Naniji became convinced • Pray that new believers like Naniji will that Yeshu was the most have the courage and needed to powerful God. She would share their faith with friends, family and wait eagerly for the neighbors. evening to come so she • Pray that authentic indigenous expressions could attend the regular of devotion to Jesus would multiply across worship sessions held the Indian subcontinent to all languages, across the street. During tribes, and peoples. one such worship time, the • Pray for the children of Hindus who follow Holy Spirit touched Naniji, Christ, that they would grow to be powerful and for the first time she witnesses among their people. 8 DAY 4october 11 ’s story “ encountered Christ’s love for me through is the only way to gain a restored relationship Young women in South Asia, like Puja, find a teacher, who kindly offered to privately with the almighty God. few opportunities for education, and face Itutor me because I had fallen behind in “At home, I still have to deal with many abuse or neglect in the home and school. my studies. One day she invited me over to problems, such as verbal abuse from my Many of them are married off before their her house, and introduced me to a children’s family and not having many of my basic 18th birthday. After marriage, a new bride . Over time my tutor shared the love of needs provided. But I know that my Heavenly will traditionally live with her husband’s Jesus with me, taught me how to pray to Him, Father me. My older sister has also been family, where she often faces various types of and how to trust that He hears and answers experiencing the love of Jesus. She initially emotional and physical abuse. Thankfully, in our . As I began to pray to Jesus, I was struggled with whether or not to follow Him. some places, such things are changing. The filled with faith because again and again He But she prayed and saw a vision of herself number of girls in school has been steadily faithfully answered my prayers. Through this walking behind Jesus as He cleared away rising due to government campaigns that process, I moved from believing that Jesus the smoke from in front of her, and that has encourage families to let their daughters live was one of many , to believing that Jesus helped her faith grow.” and to educate them. WAYS TO PRAY , n a city in , an expectant mother anticipates • Pray that the prevailing attitude towards It s a ... girl the birth of her baby. She still doesn’t know the gender of women and their place in society will Iher child, not because of choice, but because it is illegal change and that their identity as precious for a doctor to tell expecting parents if their unborn baby is creations of God will be revealed. a girl or a boy. The day comes for the mother to give birth • Pray that believers will model Christ’s and … it’s a girl. The mother’s heart drops, the father sighs sacrificial love by nourishing and cherishing in disappointment. There will be no festive drumming or their wives and daughters. celebration today, as would have happened if it had been • Pray that as women come into relationship a boy. Immediately the father begins to worry about the with Christ, their hearts would be fully exorbitant sum of money he will have to pay as his daughter’s healed so that, out of their identity as dearly dowry when it is time to arrange her marriage. Sadly, because loved children of God, they will teach their of the burden of dowry, and other traditional pressures, children to walk in love. female feticide and female infanticide are not uncommon. 9 DAY 5October 12 Common Hindi Bible translation project “ have always been very open to Jesus, but largely unread by Hindus in the Hindi serve as a much more approachable and if I had heard this many years ago, I would language. Historically, the Bible has been seen natural tool for sharing the Gospel with Ihave more seriously considered becoming by Hindus as the holy book of the Christian Hindus, and teaching them to be disciples of his follower.” This was the comment of a faith, written by Christians for Christians only. Jesus. Significant progress has been made, Hindu man, who was reading through the Many who work among Hindus have noted and the translation of the is Gospel of John during the testing phase of a that most available translations do not use nearing completion. new Hindi Bible translation project. Hindi words for key terms, such as “church” Hindi is the heart language of well over 300 and “baptism”. Instead, they rely on unfamiliar WAYS TO PRAY million people, most of whom live in India. Greek words. Other key terms such as “grace” • Pray for the translation team to be led by Though fully translated into Hindi more than and “” are described using rare Hindi God’s Spirit, and that they may translate a hundred years ago, the Bible has remained words instead of common ones. accurately and appropriately for their Given these and intended audience. other issues, a team • Pray for the finishing of the New Testament, of translators has the finances to print it, its successful been working on a distribution and its use in Hindi-speaking new translation of satsangs (house fellowships) throughout the the Bible that uses world. more common • Pray for the translation team also to be able and appropriate to turn their full attention to translating Hindi words. This the Old Testament. One translation team new translation member has already begun working on focuses on making Genesis. scripture clearer • Pray that Hindus would read the Bible and for Hindus whose meet the Jesus of whom Peter said, “Lord, heart language is to whom would we go? You have the words Hindi. When this that give eternal life. We believe, and we new translation is know you are the Holy One of God.” complete, it will (John 6:68) 10 DAY 6October 13 The Hindu diaspora: a global presence here are roughly 70 million Hindu Alternatively, some diaspora Hindu adherents who live outside of India, communities choose isolation from the local Tdwelling in over 140 countries. While culture, developing a strongly “us and them” India has the largest number of Hindus, Nepal mentality. has the largest ratio (over 80 percent) of Local followers of Christ in these countries Hindus of any country (followed by Mauritius must seek God for strategies of how to with about 50 percent, and Guyana, Fiji remove unnecessary cultural barriers and and Suriname with about one-third). Other effectively to Hindus—to those countries with at least a half million Hindus who have isolated themselves from the local include Bangladesh, Indonesia (Bali), Pakistan, culture, and to those who have developed Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the USA. multiple cultural identities. God’s wisdom— In many of these countries, the Hindu not limited by Western cultural Christian population is very influential and continues traditions—is needed. In these cases, true to carry a strong sense of identity, remaining Christ-likeness is the greatest essential. affiliated with the greater Hindu community worldwide. Hindu culture, as it adapts to WAYS TO PRAY environments outside of its South Asian • Pray that members of the Hindu home, can become complex. The typically diaspora, many of whom live in close pluralistic and syncretistic Hindu worldview proximity to disciples of Christ, will allows Hindus to manage this challenge encounter His love through those reasonably well, but it is not always an easy disciples. process. • Pray that more workers would be raised As with most cases of immigration, a third up to focus on the important harvest culture, neither fully traditional nor entirely field of the diaspora. local, emerges. Multicultural memberships • Pray for the youth of these “third-culture” develop as diaspora Hindus live in multiple families, that they encounter Christ and worlds. Many of them become fully fluent love their families instead of rebelling in members of more than one society. confusion. 11 DAY 7October 14 Gujarati Hindus of the Southern Hemisphere ommunities They are known for being resourceful and nation of Malawi, shared that this year, by of the Indian business-minded. Around 88 percent of living transparently and letting people see Cdiaspora have Gujaratis are Hindus. Gujarati traders and God at work in their lives, they have seen been present in laborers brought with them their Hindu some Gujarati Hindus choose to follow Jesus. the Southern beliefs and religious practices into the They have great need of more Gujarati- Hemisphere countries where they migrated. They built speaking ministers to help these new countries for and community halls, and promoted believers. centuries. celebrations of Hindu festivals such as Diwali They have and . As an example of their influence the WAYS TO PRAY labored hard festival of Diwali is now officially celebrated • Pray that, as in Malawi, similar moves of God and established within New Zealand by city and regional would happen among Gujarati communities themselves councils. worldwide. as essential Many people in the nations where the • Pray that Gujarati followers of Christ would economic, social, India diaspora has settled have been deeply fearlessly live out the Gospel, and make religious and political affected by the beliefs and practices of the disciples among their fellow Gujaratis. players within countries diaspora. and are two of the • Pray that Southern Hemisphere churches such as South Africa, Fiji, most popular components of Hindu culture would reach out to Gujaratis in their areas Australia, New Zealand, that have transferred into local communities of influence, and also send out laborers into Zimbabwe, Zambia, Peru, and culture. Many other Hindu religious ideas, His harvest of Gujaratis worldwide. and Malawi. such as (the law of cause and effect), Gujarati Hindus are a , and (spiritual centers significant ethnic group of power in the human body) are finding “Brothers (and sisters), my heart’s in the Indian diaspora acceptance among broad sections of the desire and prayer to God for them communities. population. Sadly, the reverse is not true; the Church has had a very limited impact on the [Gujarati Hindus] is that they may Gujarati diaspora. be saved.” (:1—italics by Recently, a family of Indian origin, ministering to diaspora Hindus in the African author) 12 DAY 8October 15 Festivals: bringing a community together ost Hindu traditions do not emphasize food, celebration and various forms of personal attendance of weekly worship over several days. Discerning Mreligious gatherings that contain Christians can use these opportunities to the elements of worship, fellowship, and build genuine relationships with Hindus, preaching so familiar to most Christians. While and to learn about the Hindu community. many Hindus often visit temples, these visits An added benefit of building a relationship are usually done alone or as a family. The main with a Hindu during a festival season is their event during such visits is a personal moment openness to discuss the spiritual matters in front of an idol. There are signs that this that each festival highlights. approach to worship is changing in some places, particularly in the West, where some WAYS TO PRAY Hindu temples have begun modeling their • Pray that the eyes of Hindus will be services and activities around more Western opened during festival seasons to see that ways and schedules. Christ is the true Lord of the Harvest and For the vast majority of Hindus worldwide, that they will come to thank Him for His however, festivals—not weekly gatherings— abundant blessings. remain the glue that brings the community • Pray for disciples of Christ in Hindu together. Some of these festivals, such families who wrestle with idolatrous as Diwali and Holi, are celebrated across aspects of festivals. Pray that they language, caste, and other common cultural would not separate from their family/ barriers. Other festivals remain highly society, but would learn to represent localized within specific ethnic or caste Christ within their families while not groups. Many festivals find their origin in compromising their faith. the changing of seasons, with a number of • Pray that the joy of festivals, and their festivals occurring right after harvest times. power to sustain community, would be Hindu festivals are strategic opportunities experienced and modeled by disciples for interaction between followers of Christ of Christ, drawing many Hindus to and Hindus. These festivals often combine Jesus. 13 DAY 9October 16 Hindus of Nepal epal was officially a Hindu nation of independence. oppression and other signs and wonders. until 2008 when it became a federal Nepal’s Hindu communities often Because of their experience of the power and Ndemocratic republic. The country’s incorporate elements of Buddhist and animist the , Nepali believers are often population of about 30 million is slightly more traditions. Such is the mixing that, for the strong witnesses of Christ wherever they go, than 80% Hindu, making it the only other outside observer, it can often be hard to tell proclaiming the name of Jesus, praying for Hindu-majority nation besides India. A fierce where Hindu traditions end and Buddhist people to be healed and dealing directly with armed conflict between the then-monarchy or animist ones begin. In the last 25 years, demonic oppression. and Maoist forces which ended in 2006 the number of followers of Christ has been caused many Nepalis to become refugees and growing in Nepal at an impressive rate, WAYS TO PRAY settle around the world. especially among particular language, tribal, • Pray for the continued stability of Nepal, In April 2015, Nepal was rocked by an and caste groups. Most Nepali Hindus are very in light of the increased prosperity of its earthquake, which killed over 9,000 people, open to the Gospel. people. damaged or destroyed over 600,000 Nepalis often decide to follow Christ after • Pray that effective witnesses of Christ would structures and displaced more than 2.8 experiencing His love and power. In almost reach out to Nepali refugees worldwide. million people. The resulting massive every Nepali believer’s life there is a story • Pray for a continued and increased international response, which included of God’s miraculous intervention through openness to the Gospel among Nepali emergency relief, news coverage, and prayer, of healing, deliverance from demonic Hindus. raised the global Church’s of Nepal and its mostly Hindu population to an Pressing in unprecedented level. Until 1951, Nepal was officially closed to Over the next five days, we will be praying strategically through the festival of Diwali. Diwali Christian ministers. Despite this, some Nepalis is the largest and most recognized national celebration of Hindus, a cultural and religious along the Indian border did come to Christ. In extravaganza that stands out among the many festivals and that make up Hinduism. the 1950s, when Christian ministers were able There are different stories with regional variations behind the festival, which is typically to enter Nepal, they were primarily oriented celebrated in October or November; the dates change each year according to the lunar calendar. towards mercy ministries due to government We encourage you to take some time and prepare your heart to press in even deeper. Let’s pray policies. Partially because of this, the Church with passion that the Light of Christ would shine into the lives of many Hindus this year, and ask in Nepal developed with a significant degree the King of Glory to visit those who need His touch the most. 14 DAY 10October 17 Auspiciousness anisha’s father pulled out a crumpled even when making household purchases. piece of paper, and with a sigh of Inauspicious times and places are also Diwali highlight Mresignation, tossed it on the table. commonly identified and to be avoided. Today is . Dhan means He then said, “We have been to many Fundamental in Hindu is that every wealth, and Teras means 13 (as this astrologers, and they all agree, your wedding month, the two weeks of the waxing moon festival takes place on the 13th day must take place in a few weeks, or we have are auspicious, but the two weeks of the of a common ). Today, to wait at least six more months before waning moon are inauspicious. Distinctions many Hindus will purchase metal there is another auspicious date.” The paper such as these continue to play an influential goods, including everything from gold contained the names and birthdates of both role in the lives of even educated and wealthy to kitchen utensils, believing that it is Manisha and Rajesh, essential ingredients for Hindus. auspicious to do so in preparation for any astrologer to determine if Manisha and the worship of , the of Rajesh should be married, and, if so, when WAYS TO PRAY wealth and prosperity. their marriage could take place. Eventually, • Pray that Hindus will encounter true both families agreed and chose one of the freedom in Christ, and stop believing in auspicious dates for the wedding. Even an superstitions that trap people in bondage auspicious hour (two in the morning) was and fear. designated by the astrologer for the marriage • Pray that Hindus who are striving for ceremony to take place. spiritual purity would find true purity and To understand the average Hindu, we must peace in Jesus Christ, who has conquered take note of the significant place that most death and is a treasure that does not fade Hindus give to the concept of auspicious away. times and places. Astrological charts abound, • Pray that all Hindu peoples will come to and consulting professional astrologers is know God, the Creator of the and central to the lives of many Hindus. Astrology the earth. and the search for auspicious times are important to consider when embarking on a new venture such as the opening of a new business or the beginning of a marriage, or 15 Published resources

Sharing Your Faith Indian culture. This is not a book of methods Disciple Making among with a Hindu to export Western Christianity. Called “the Hindus Madasamy Thirumalai world’s greatest evangelist” by Timothy Shultz Baker Time magazine in 1938, Jones spent 70 years WCL The author was raised traveling throughout the world. Drawing on 30 years’ a Hindu and became Retail: $14.99; Sale Price: $13.49 experience among Hindus, a believer in Jesus. He the author describes how explains historical and The Legacy of William Hindu people experience contemporary Hindu customs, practices, Carey and respond to Jesus Christ. What are the and intellectual obstacles to Christianity, Vishal and Ruth Mangalwadi core values and rhythms of their cultural and offers practical tips and tools on how to WCL world? What are the patterns of community share the Lord with Hindus. Sharing Your Faith Carey, known as the father and discipleship that help them draw closer with a Hindu is an effective guide for Hindu of modern missions, is also to Jesus? Through moving personal stories, both in the United States and the father of “Christian biblical reflection, and practical wisdom, abroad. Retail: $15; Sale Price: $13.50 development”. He was an Shultz introduces us to the centrality of industrialist. An economist. A family, the covenantal relationships that make The Christ of the medical humanitarian. A media pioneer. An up Hindu social life, and the yearning for Indian Road educator. A moral reformer. A botanist. And authentic spiritual experience. Far more than E Stanley Jones a Christian missionary. He traveled to India in a strategy of contextualization or a blueprint Abingdon 1792, and he did more for the transformation for successful evangelism, you will discover While this book was written of the Indian subcontinent than any other the beauty of Hindus as Jesus sees them— nearly 100 years ago, it individual before or since. Few realize how and the beauty of Jesus through Hindu eyes. remains very relevant. Jones much we owe the increasing globalization Retail: $14.99; Sale Price: $12.74 recounts his in of Christianity to the silent revolution he India, where he arrived as initiated. Fewer still are aware of his legacy of a young and presumptuous missionary who sensitivity to the variety of issues confronting Order Now later matured into a veteran who attempted true Gospel witness in any culture. See page 32 for full ordering details. to contextualize Jesus Christ within the Retail: $14.99; Sale Price: $12.74 16 Living Water and it, he addresses both esoteric and practical 2018 Personal Prayer Indian Bowl issues. Within this small book, the author Diary/Daily Planner S Dayanand Bharati takes us on a quick tour of Hinduism’s YWAM Publishing WCL scriptures and basic philosophies; he also (starts shipping Sep 2017) While what Christ has done includes a comprehensive glossary of Hindu Believers all over the world is applicable to humans and terminology. Retail: $6.99; Sale Price: $6.99 use this 200-page, spiral- cultures everywhere, any bound, popular annual culture’s refusal to embrace it Understanding World product to both organize may not constitute a rejection of Christ, but Christianity: India their schedules and goals and rather a rejection of the cultural package in Dyron B Daughrity and journal their prayer times and which He was presented. Western packaging Jesudas M Athyal Bible reading. It is designed to of Christianity for India has proven to be Fortress Press help you live an intentional, largely inadequate. This book illustrates the Indian Christianity, integrated life connected issue with many anecdotes, and the reader entrenched since the early to God’s kingdom. You will will learn how the Good News could be centuries after Thomas find calendar pages for daily, communicated in culturally understandable is believed to have brought weekly, monthly and long- ways. Retail: $12.99; Sale Price: $11.69 the faith to South India, is a senior member range scheduling, alongside of the global Christian family. This book, part a Bible-reading plan, and Hinduism of a series on World Christianity, tells us the daily prayer points for needs H L Richard story of the emergence of India’s Church, her around the world, as well as WCL growth and broadening throughout history, mission information, maps Hinduism is a complex and her diverse and significant societal and illustrated profiles on system of diverse beliefs contribution to contemporary India. peoples and countries. This and practices. If you want Retail: $19.00; Sale Price: $16.15 tool will help you Plan, Journal and Pray! to better understand the (Makes a great Christmas present.) over one billion Hindus of Retail: $17.99; Sale Price: $11.65 the world, Richard’s brief but insightful Hinduism is a good starter. In 17 DAY 11October 18 Life stages lassic Hindu tradition holds that there In the kingdom of God, a disciple of are four stages of life. The first stage is Christ can easily identify with the traditional Diwali highlight Cthat of an unmarried student, followed Hindu value of seeking truth over material Today, many Hindus will decorate by that of the householder, which begins possessions. In Matthew 10, Jesus sent out the floors of their homes with rangoli with marriage. Hindus place a high value on the 12 disciples, saying that they should take (intricate and colorful patterns made productive family life, and the strength of along no extra provisions for their journey. with ground rice). Many Hindus believe Hinduism has traditionally resided in strong They focused on proclaiming the kingdom that on this day the god killed multigenerational family structures. of , healing the sick, raising the dead, a demon, signifying the victory of good After raising and making proper provisions cleansing lepers and casting out demons. over evil and light over darkness. Due for the next generation, a householder is to differences in lunar observations, in encouraged to from life and spend WAYS TO PRAY some years (including this one) Diwali time focused on spiritual matters. After this • Pray that Hindus at all stages of life would is celebrated in south India today and stage comes the fourth stage of life, that of see their need for a light for the path of life, north India tomorrow. homeless wandering and renunciation while and have an opportunity to encounter the in search of truth and enlightenment. living Christ, whose blood cleanses us from It is worth noting that very few in society all sins. ever live out these four stages, but they • Pray that followers of Christ will reach out remain as ideals, and strongly influence the to Hindus and utilize presentations of the life choices of Hindus around the world. In Gospel that honor the many noble ideals practice, Hinduism has long allowed for men Hindus hold. and woman at any stage of life to renounce • Pray that Hindus worldwide would have an worldly possessions and focus solely on the awakened hunger to seek after the Truth search for truth. regardless of what stage of life they are in.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

18 DAY 12October 19 Diwali: the festival of lights “ nce, during Diwali, I gathered together WAYS TO PRAY in a small Indian home along with other Diwali highlight • Pray that Hindus would see Jesus, who followers of Christ. We took an oil lamp O said of Himself, “I am the light of the Today, families will gather together to and lit it from the flame of a central lamp. world. Whoever follows me will not walk seek prosperity and blessing for the Then, in turn, we lit the lamps of those around in darkness, but will have the light of life.” coming year. They will light lamps for us. With quiet prayers on our lips, we carried (John 8:12) many reasons, and look forward to the our lamps into the darkest corners of the • Pray for disciples of Christ, that they would future with joy and . When Jesus home and placed them where they would find ways to join in the warmth of this began his public ministry, it was written cast their greatest light. A song of worship to festival along with their Hindu neighbors, of Capernaum (where Jesus lived), Jesus rose into the air, and we sang together, and find opportunities to share the Gospel. “‘The people dwelling in darkness ‘Let the lamp burn, let the name of The Lord • Pray that Hindus around the world will have seen a great light, and for those dwell in the of my heart.’ As the song come to know the true Light of the World, dwelling in the region and shadow of came to a close, the entire home filled with Jesus, in whom is full and abiding joy and death, on them a light has dawned.’ At flickering light and, though it was night, the hope. that time, Jesus began his ministry by lamps burned all the brighter because they proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom were burning amidst a great darkness.” of heaven is at hand.’” (Matt 4:16–17) Light is the central theme of the Diwali festival. During Diwali, clay lamps with cotton wicks, called diya, are filled with oil, and lined along walls, balconies, etc. The festival of Diwali brings a celebratory atmosphere that many in the world say compares to the Christmas season. People will dress up in new clothes and often exchange gifts with friends and family. Diwali can be seen as a celebration of South Asian cultural heritage as it is not always closely associated with idolatry. 19 DAY 13October 20 The caste system he Hindu caste system is a system of with which s/he most closely identifies. It is social classes determined by birth. It does important therefore that we don’t dismiss Diwali highlight Tnot have one single origin, but instead it out of hand. Instead, we can affirm the Today, many will visit friends, family, gradually developed over many centuries community they feel part of, while also and neighbors and share gifts of from many different influences. Systems honoring and declaring the fact that God sees sweets. Brothers will often be sent out have developed within which each caste is all humanity as equally valuable, regardless of to fetch their sisters from their in-laws, designated to perform different functions in caste, creed, color or culture. and bring them home to spend time society, such as those born in the “” with family on this day. Newly-married caste serving as priests, or those born in the WAYS TO PRAY daughters, along with their husbands, “” caste serving as manual laborers. • Pray that people group movements towards are sometimes invited for special In , few Brahmins are priests; many are Christ would happen among all of the many meals and given presents, as a way now computer programmers. And not all thousands of Hindu peoples and castes. of celebrating the love and devotion priests are Brahmins, as there are priests from • Pray that the selfless love of the Good between husbands and wives. other castes as well. Only between the top Samaritan would be a model for Hindus (Brahmin) and bottom (Shudra) castes has worldwide of the Father’s equal love for all. there ever been any real clarity. Within each • Pray for India’s current generation of young main caste, there are thousands of subcastes. adults, that they would work with love and Throughout history, the caste system has wisdom for justice among all the peoples of never functioned in any clear way, and most India, and right the many historical wrongs traditional and modern attempts to precisely that racist casteism produced. describe it are inadequate. Throughout the Bible, God highlights His love for all people, different cultures, social communities, etc. It is also evident that any attempt by one group to attach a lower value The Hindu caste system is to another group is bigotry and counter to the a system of social classes love of God and His design for humanity. However, a Hindu’s caste is the social group determined by birth. 20 DAY 14October 21 Hospitality to international students ne Diwali, a group of students from a (Jesus) overcame the darkness in his life, filled Hindu nation gathered in an American him with peace, and helped him to live a life Diwali highlight Ofamily’s home to celebrate together. of humility and filled with hope. The Spirit of Today is the last day of Diwali. Most of these students were far from their God was present, and some of the attending Traditionally, brothers and sisters country and deeply missed their families. students responded positively, indicating will meet on this day to express love They sang bhajans (traditional devotional that they were greatly touched by the host’s and affection for one another. Sisters worship songs), and everyone shared about , and how much it made them feel pray for their brother’s long life and what Diwali meant to them. They told stories at home. After the sharing time, they all ate a protection over the coming year. about their families and traditions, and how meal together. The evening was full of family, Brothers give their sisters gifts and they missed their favorite sweets from back friendship, tradition, and sharing the light of sweets in return. home. Yeshu with students from a country where The host of the meeting shared about his only a small minority honors the name of struggles while growing up, trying to be good Christ. and to find peace. He shared how Yeshu WAYS TO PRAY • Pray that more followers of Christ will be able to develop warm relationships with Hindu students, and have opportunities to share with them how Jesus can bring light into the darkest corners of their heart. • Pray that Hindu students on campuses around the world would be open to God, and ultimately experience the love of Yeshu and embrace Him as the way to God. • Pray for the emotional well-being of Hindu international students and scholars studying abroad, as they are far from family and friends. 21 DAY 15October 22 The Church and the local Hindu community espite often living in close proximity to or do the wrong thing?’ are just a few of the • Pray for God to provide opportunities for churches in Europe, North America and fears and worries that followers of Christ often relationships to begin and grow between Delsewhere, the Hindu diaspora remains express. If unaddressed, these fears can lead followers of Christ and Hindu friends, a largely neglected ministry opportunity. It to a state of paralysis and avoidance within neighbors and work colleagues. is estimated that there are around 1.6 million the church, and ultimately to a failure to share • Pray for Hindus to learn and understand Hindus in the USA (out of a total of 2.1 million the love of Christ with the Hindu community who Jesus is and that the Holy Spirit will people with Indian ethnicity), and nearly as part of the local setting where God has help them to know how to follow Him while 900,000 in the UK (out of a total of 1.5 million placed them.” remaining culturally related to their wider people with Indian ethnicity). The challenge is to step outside of our community. Most of the Hindus in these places continue comfort zones, to learn about our Hindu to place heavy importance on maintaining neighbors, and to share the love of Christ with their Hindu identity and culture, and on them. Let us continue to pray that Hindus will cultivating a general cohesiveness within have opportunities to tangibly encounter the their community. There is often a strong love of Christ, the Light of the World, and to desire in individuals to maintain at least some turn to Him as their Lord and Savior. of their religious and cultural practices so Let’s remember, we are blessed to be a they can preserve their relationship with their blessing. Are we willing to be the answer to community. our prayers? One Christian leader in the UK commented: “Many times local churches are unsure how WAYS TO PRAY to connect with and reach out to their local • Pray for the local church, that a boldness Hindu community. ‘What do I say?’, ‘I don’t and a love for Hindus will replace the fear of know what they believe!’ and ‘What if I say saying and doing the wrong thing. “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42) 22 he young children quickly assembled help of someone stronger who could bring Tirthayatra: a in lines. Dressed neatly in their school freedom from bondage. Tuniforms, they turned their attention to This journey is summed up in the word journey from the teacher at the front and began to recite an tirthayatra, which is a combination of two ancient prayer in Sanskrit*: Sanskrit words. The first, , is commonly darkness to light used to describe a “ford” in a river or a “path” “Asato ma sad gamya, to somewhere holy. Tirtha can also mean tamso ma jyotir gamya, an action or transition (usually spiritual in ) that is accomplished with the help of mrityor ma amritm gamya.” someone stronger. The second word is yatra, which means In English this reads: a “journey” or “” Together, they produce the word tirthayatra, which describes “Lead me (from) falsehood (to) truth, a spiritual journey in search of someone lead me from darkness to light, whom Hindus hope can free them from falsehood, darkness, and death. lead me from death to immortality.” Traditionally, a tirthayatra would be undertaken together with family or friends, A journey and between harvests when people could Reciting this ancient prayer is a daily habit afford to be away from their usual chores. for many Hindus. Most of them readily It used to be more common for pilgrims to acknowledge that humanity is enslaved to travel on foot to holy sites while enduring falsehood, darkness, and death. Life is seen by hardships that in themselves served as acts many as a journey best spent looking for the of devotion. In this modern age, however,

*Sanskrit is an ancient language and is the root of many, but not all, Indian languages. It is now spoken by less than 1 percent of Indians, and is mostly used for liturgical purposes by Hindu priests. 23 open the eyes of your Hindu friend to see how the Good News is exactly that—an answer to their prayer for Truth, Light and immortality. It is what John conveyed in the New Testament:

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in many pilgrims forego such acts, and tour nature of the bondage and darkness, and our the light, we have fellowship with one operators offer complete tirthayatra packages mutual need for someone stronger than us, another, and the blood of Jesus his that include transportation, accommodation a Savior, to free us. Any pilgrim who sets off and even a guide. But as they near their on a journey has an awareness of their need. Son cleanses us from all sin.” destination, it is still common to see pilgrims The prayer at the beginning of this article is (1 John 1:5–7) remove their footwear as a sign of humility a humble declaration of need; it has echoed and earnestness. for millennia. As followers of Christ we also admitted our need before welcoming Christ “God so loved the world, that he gave A bridge as our Savior. If we remember this, then we his only Son, that whoever The practice of tirthayatra provides a bridge can empathize with seeking Hindus, for it for potential dialogue between followers should be a place familiar to us. in him should not perish but have of Christ and Hindus. We can discuss the This commonality between you may well eternal life.” (John 3:16) 24 What’s next?

indus are very open about their faith. There is great diversity among Hindus regarding what they believe and how they live their lives. It is therefore important to honor Here some other options and Heach Hindu as a unique individual, and to ask them directly what their faith means activities you could consider as to them. Look for where Hindus live, work and study around you, and then find a way to follow-up: develop relationships with them. In the process, you will undoubtedly discover occasions to ● Take a look at the following pages of demonstrate the love of Christ. sponsoring ministries who help make Don’t start with sharing the Gospel: rather, start with being genuinely interested in them. this prayer guide possible. Pray for them, Remember, people do not care how much you know, until they know how much you actually learn about the opportunities they offer, care. It’s about friendship, and an openness to walking alongside them in this life. Keep your volunteer, etc. new friends and their families in your prayers. Consider what the apostle John wrote as you pursue a relationship with them: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one ● Decide to pray for Hindus throughout another.” (1 John 4:11). One of the most important acts of love we are all able to engage in, is to the year. set aside time to pray for God’s blessing to be upon the lives of our world’s Hindu neighbors. ● Pray that God would send out more workers into the harvest that He declared was already Find out about (and support) outreach ripe but lacking in laborers (Matthew 9:37). efforts to Hindu students or immigrants who may live in your community. ● Read a book or two, or watch a video, to learn more about Hindus (see the center pages for a sample of titles). ● Check out the international website for Thank you for praying together with us this year. this prayer focus: pray15days.org We welcome you to join us and others worldwide next year, as we pray and continue to seek God’s blessing upon our world’s Hindu neighbors.

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