[Today’s Prayer] “Persecution of Christians in India Surges Sixfold in 10 Years… National Investigation Needed”

A Christian human rights group is urging the government to launch a national investigation into the rising violence against Christians across India. Churchgoers in India are seeing a dramatic increase in “tragic violence, bloodshed, and destruction” at dozens of churches.

According to UCA News, A. C. Michael, national director of the United Christian Forum (UCF), issued a statement on December 20 (local time) calling for “the appointment of a ministerial-level official to investigate the surge in persecution.”

Michael, a former Delhi Minorities Commission member, said in a statement that since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014, attacks on Christians have increased from 127 in 2014 to 745 (nearly six times) between January and November 2024.

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The UCF statement added that “data on violence in Manipur state is still missing,” adding that “these figures do not reflect the tragic violence, bloodshed and destruction of over 200 churches in the northeastern state of Manipur last year.”

Manipur has been rocked by sectarian violence since May 2023, with clashes between the Kuki and Meitei ethnic groups causing massive damage to Christians and churches.

The UCF also noted the delay in the judicial action. A petition filed in the Supreme Court of India in 2022 demanding strict action against anti-Christian vigilantes remains stalled after initial hearing.

Michael urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “consider conducting a national inquiry into the rising persecution of Christian minorities in India.”

Amid the widespread violence, the Modi government has been criticized by religious and human rights groups for “failing to protect minority communities.”

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Source: Christian Today

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:36-38)

We hear the sad news that violence against Christians throughout India has increased about sixfold in the ten years from 2014 to 2024, but the Indian government has remained silent about this.

The data on the recent violence in Manipur is still excluded, and if this data is reflected in the figures, the persecution of Christians in India is expected to be even greater. May the Lord lead Indian Christians to place their hopes not in the worldly government but in the kingdom of God.

As the end times approach, we see increasing persecution against Christians and churches. Nevertheless, rather than fighting back, may the church of India become servants of the Lord who forgive and love with the love of Jesus’ cross, not trying to overcome evil with evil but rather overcoming evil with good.

May the church in India have mercy on those who do not yet know the truth, and resemble Jesus who came to this earth and gave us the truth even though he knew that he would bear the cross.

Moreover, may they spread the gospel, believing that there will be a clear glory after suffering, so that everyone who hears this truth will hear the voice of Jesus and return with joy.

May the global church help the ministry of the Indian church and bear the cross together, and let us pray together for India’s policies so that the gospel can be spread more easily.

So, let the Indian church stand on the rock of faith, and not be shaken by any hardship, but hope for the kingdom of God and the second coming of the Lord, and labor harder to send out 1 million missionaries to the nations!