India is now home to the largest population in the world, making it a vast mission field that requires an increasing number of workers to reap a plentiful harvest. But God has already prepared faithful leaders who are ready to take up their cross and obey the Great Commission, despite serious challenges. Find prayer points below.
Great Obstacles but Greater Faith
Christians in India face many challenges. One of the most significant is religious syncretism, the merging of different religious practices and beliefs, which is common among Christians in India. As a result, many Indian Christians still hold to ideas such as karma and other beliefs associated with Hinduism and Buddhism.
This challenge is exacerbated by rising religious persecution of Christians in India. The threat of being considered a social outcast, or possibly even facing physical attacks and arrest, is a very real challenge for new believers when trying to break with the past and accept a new identity in Christ.
Despite this, God is raising up bold leaders. In one southeastern region, 300 leaders have been equipped through Harvesters and are ready to proclaim the Truth and plant churches among their people.
These leaders are grateful for their fruitful partnership with Harvesters. “Their heart is to raise many more HLTs (Harvesters Licensed Trainers) so that we can reach many more people and train many more groups – so that together, we can build the Kingdom of God,” says one of the leaders.
All are Called
In the same region, God has prepared the hearts of leaders to start a Harvesters Church Planting Stream that invites women to take part in His mission. In a society rife with social inequality and where women are often devalued in worth and stature this is a bold move toward building God’s Kingdom.
“Women are given second priority. But what I wish is raising women as leaders will help us to reach many more tribes and people and unreached people groups,” says the leader interviewed by Harvesters.
Jesus called all people to be His disciples. In the past many brave women in India answered this call, among them Phandita Ramabai, Amy Carmichael and Ida Scudder. May God enable these leaders to break through social boundaries and prepare even more workers for India.
The Ends of the Earth
The pastors and leaders in this southeastern region of India are not only breaking through social boundaries, but physical ones as well. On the northern border there is an unreached people group that lives in mountainous terrain inaccessible by road. The communities there have little access to electricity or basic services.
Leaders trained by Harvesters undertake the arduous journey to these villages by foot, risking their lives as they cross the treacherous terrain. Workers called to serve here admit that it is easy to be willing to go where it is comfortable – but they have been called to go where it is most difficult. They believe it is their call to reach the unreached at any cost. Let’s pray for them!
Pray for India
Join the leaders of India in prayer today.
- Pray for each leader and the work that is already being done, particularly in difficult places.
- Pray that God will prepare even more leaders who can plant even more churches.
- Pray that women in India will be able to join in God’s calling and the expansion of His Kingdom.
- Pray that God will protect His children in India against syncretism and persecution.
- Give thanks for a fruitful partnership between Harvesters and the leaders in India.
