Prayer Calender September...PRAYER CALENDAR The ﬁrst of its kind in India, the ‘INDIAN CHRISTIAN DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED’ (ICDPP) , was commemorated at a na onal level,

OCTOBER 2020

PRAYERCALENDAR

PERSECUTION RELIEF OCTOBER

2020

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This document is for internal circulation within the Church and among Christians only. The content is strictly for prayer only.

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The first of its kind in India, the ‘INDIAN CHRISTIAN DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED’ (ICDPP) , was commemorated at a na�onal level, for the very first �me, on the 1st of October 2017. Yes! The name speaks for itself. On this day, we call the body of Christ to unite in prayer and li� the faithful Chris�an men and women across all denomina�ons, who are joyfully serving Jesus Christ, despite discouraging circumstances and intensifying persecu�on in India. When Peter was kept in prison, constant prayer was offered to God for him by the Church, and the angel of the Lord delivered him. In the same way, many men & women of God have been delivered by the power of Prayer. The ICDPP was inspired by the true story of Pastor Philip George, who was miraculously released a�er 666 days of imprisonment, on the 1st of October 2016. Like Peter, it was only the POWER OF PRAYER that delivered him.

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THE 4th INDIAN DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED (ICDPP)

Pray that God would give His Church a burden for the persecuted. That our hearts would break for what breaks His heart.

Pray that persecu�on would not cause any Chris�an to turn away from their Chris�an faith and run away from their purpose. Instead, they would persevere in boldness and courage in God.

Pray for God to turn many a Saul (persecutor) to Paul (apostle). By the power of the Holy Spirit, the persecutors of the Church would have a ‘Road to Damascus-like’ experience and become fore runner’s like Paul, for the Gospel.

Pray that God’s perfect love would cast out all fear. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, the Persecuted Church would show great courage amid persecu�on.

Pray not for persecu�on to stop but rather pray that every Chris�an would be firmly grounded and stand strong by the power of the Holy Spirit, during �mes of Persecu�on.


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A VBS Coordinator, whose father is a local Pastor and mother is an evangelist in Madhya Pradesh was harassed over the phone by a religious extremist group. The fana�cs kept forcing her to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ and when she did not give into their demands, they abused her and hung up.Religious fana�cs approached and harassed a Chris�an woman and her 4 children in Kalahandi, Odisha, while her husband was away and threatened to tear down her hut if she did not forsake Christ. They vandalized the exterior of the house before leaving them alone. A few women from a village in the Sitapur district of U�ar Pradesh got together and beat up and abused a Chris�an lady who recently married a Pastor. When the Pastor confronted them, they threatened to beat him up as well. Pray for Chris�an women and Children in Indian who are being persecuted for their faith.

A Chris�an family was chased away a�er their home was demolished by local religious fana�cs in U�ar Pradesh. The fana�cs made this move although the family holds all legal documents of ownership of the said property. A Chris�an in the Garhwal district of U�arakhand is being denied a water connec�on even a�er it has been approved by authori�es. The fana�cs have told him that

they will not allow him to install the pipes because he is a Chris�an. Pray for this situa�on and the numerous Chris�ans across India who are going through similar circumstances.

Religious fana�cs stopped a few Chris�ans on the street and rudely ques�oned and accused them of forcefully conver�ng an elderly woman to Chris�anity, even a�er she made it clear that she had been a Chris�an for many years and they were just her friends. The fana�cs recorded a video of the same and circulated it on Facebook. Pray against this dangerous trend and for the Chris�ans who are being a�acked in public places with impunity.


Religious fana�cs uploaded a fabricated post against a Pastor on Social media and published an ar�cle regarding the same in the local newspaper in Jharkhand. They falsely accused him and his Church of conver�ng 120 members of 30 families to Chris�anity. Pr Santosh Kumar was taken to the police sta�on on false charges of Conversion. They held him there for almost 6 hours. He had gone to a believer’s house to pray when the fana�cs called the police and falsely accused him. He was later released without charges. Pray for God’s interven�on, not just in this case but for numerous others who have had similar experiences.


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A Pastor was ambushed by a gang of religious goons on his way back from a morning prayer meet in Amritsar, Punjab. The goons were hiding in the bushes by the roadside and pounced on him as he was riding by. The Pastor suffered severe injuries from the a�ack. A Pastor and his family were a�acked with swords, knives, and rods outside his home in Punjab a�er he returned from a prayer mee�ng. They were severely injured during the a�ack. Pray for Pastor Daler and the many other Pastors across India who are being persecuted for their faith and ministry


A pastor who has been serving the community for many years in U�arakhand was falsely accused by an Ex. Army officer of illegally construc�ng a school and running Church mee�ngs in it even a�er he had all legal permissions and paperwork to support his ministry. This story was covered by a local News channel and shared on Facebook. Such a�acks have become very common and we need to pray for this situa�on.

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Persecu�on Relief received a distress call from a young Pastor from U�arakhand who was hiding and undercover with his family as a group of religious goons were inquiring about him and showing his photograph to


A Pastor and his family are being severely persecuted by local goons who are threatening them to stop all Chris�an ac�vi�es in the Indian state of U�arakhand. The goons have threatened to plant a bomb in his home and kill all of them in a blast if they do not adhere to their requests.Pray for Chris�ans in India who are being issued with death threats on account of their faith in Jesus Christ.


Religious goons stopped a Chris�an burial and made the family collect wood for a pyre and forced them to cremate the body on it. They broke the coffin and burned it with the pyre as well. A�er the crema�on, they forcefully shaved the heads of the deceased sons and told them that they could live there provided they follow all rituals and prac�ces of the village. Pr. Santosh and a few other believers from Jamui, Bihar were also beaten up while they were a�ending the Chris�an funeral service.The entry to a Chris�an Cemetery in Chha�sgarh was encroached upon a few years ago. A Hindu temple was eventually constructed and a Stay Order by the Court is in force. A narrow entry to the cemetery has

people to find him, saying that they wanted to kill him. Pray for all the Chris�ans in India who are being hounded by fana�cs and living in fear.


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Pr. Sangeeta and her husband Chandra Shekhar Upadhyay were unjustly arrested and imprisoned in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, by the Police a�er a young woman from their Church, wrongly accused them of forcing her to convert to Chris�anity. Pray for the Pastor and her family, but most importantly, pray for the Church in India to have faithful Chris�ans with strong founda�ons. Unlike this young woman, they would stand hand in hand, with their pastors and leaders.


‘We will shoot you’, ‘Stop religious conversion’ & ‘This is a Hindu Rashtra’. These were the slogans yelled out by a mob of religious fana�cs, who stood outside a Church building in Rajasthan, India. However,


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been provided by the administra�on. However, unlawful construc�on has begun again, under the cover of the lockdown. Bro. Sa�sh Tirkey, believer of GEMS Church at Kandra (PEACE 1 Zone) went to be with the Lord and was buried. Villagers ins�gated by an�-Chris�an elements pressurized the bereaved family to dig up the grave to perform a crema�on. Pray for the Chris�ans who are grieving a�er the loss of loved ones and are pressurized and harassed by fellow neighbors and villagers because they chose to follow Christ.

A Pastor and a fellow believer in U�ar Pradesh were manhandled and verbally abused while they were praying at a funeral service. The fana�cs also robbed his bag which had money, a bible, and a power bank in it. They told him that they would beat him up if they ever spo�ed him in and around that area again. Pray for Chris�an ministers and leaders who are being targeted, espe-cially during prayer mee�ngs, house warm-ings, and funeral services.


A group of fana�cs forcefully entered the home of a Chris�an family in U�ar Pradesh and vandalized their home. They removed all Bibles and Chris�an literature from the home, piled it up outside the house, and set it on fire. The families have been warned against prac�cing Chris�anity.

The local fana�cs in Madhubani had a mee�ng and forced the landlord of Pr. Bachchan Singh from Gems, to remove him from the house. They not only beat the Pastor and a few believers up but also destroyed 2 mobile phones. The fana�cs then took videos of the a�ack and made false allega�ons against the Chris�ans.Pr. Dhanraj Damor was beaten by religious fana�cs in Jhadol Rajasthan. He has been enduring severe persecu�on and was threatened in the past as well.Pray for Chris�ans in India whose homes, Bibles, and belongings are being disturbingly destroyed in an a�empt to make them recant their faith in Christ.


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A religious extremist group has filed an RTI to the Collector, to get informa�on about religious conversions in the district of Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, in an a�empt to target the Chris�an minority. Pray for God to intervene in this situa�on and protect the Chris�ans in the Jhabua district. A religious fana�c group has handed a pe��on to the authori�es in Madhya Pradesh against conversion, anoin�ng of oil, and praying for the sick. They also held a rally while chan�ng an�-Chris�an slogans.Pray that these extremist groups would not misuse the informa�on that they receive from the authori�es and be unable to hinder Chris�an ministry.


A religious extremist group held a press conference with the help of a local news channel on which they have appealed to the concerned authori�es to revoke all rights and reserva�ons of the Chris�ans belonging to the Valmiki ST community. This video was also widely circulated on YouTube and Facebook. Pray for the Chris�ans of the Valmiki community, that none of their rights and reserva�ons would be stripped away as they are socially backward and underprivileged.


The Grace Prayer House’ was demolished at the dead of night by religious fana�cs in Khammam, Telangana. The a�ack is the a�ermath of a Police complaint made against the fana�cs who have been harassing the Church since 2019. A Church Shed in Bengaluru, Karnataka was demolished by an extremist group, even a�er all necessary permissions were granted by the Landlord. The Pastor has been leading a Church of over 40 Chris�ans for the past 5 years. They have expressed great grief over this vandalism. More than 20 houses of vulnerable Chris�ans have been demolished in various states of Chha�sgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, etc.An�-Chris�an Vandals broke down the statues of Jesus and Mary at the gate of the RCM Church building in Mandape�a, during the night. The Church comes under the Vishakhapatnam Archdiocese.In the past couple of months, many such cases have been reported. Pray for the Churches who have been hurt and angered by such a�acks. For God’s restora�on, provision, and comfort to reign in their hearts.

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when the Pastor was interrogated by the Police who had also accompanied the mob, he courageously gave them a wise reply to the false blame of religious conversion made against him. The police, in turn, promised him their protec�on and support. Pray against mob a�acks. Like this case, pray that the police would be unbiased in their decisions and judgments.


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Recently, a Telugu short Film named Poster ko Golimar was released by a YouTube Channel named Shiva Shakthi. The picture portrays a Pastor and Chris�anity in a bad light. Pray against such ventures in India that propagate hate and threaten communal harmony. Chris�an leaders are being widely targeted by media houses and falsely accused on many grounds. These ar�cles and posts defame and malign their ministry, name, and family, in an a�empt to slander the Chris�an minority.


We receive many calls from believers who are harassed beaten, tormented by their parents, rela�ves, brother sisters,etc, pray that these families may fully know Christ.Persecu�on Relief regularly speaks to Chris�ans who are being harassed and tormented by their parents, siblings, rela�ves, etc. Pray that these precious ones would con�nue to love and forgive their unbelieving families and through them lead them to Jesus Christ.


Chris�ans living in Ballary, Karnataka were beaten up and asked to leave the village if they refused to recant their faith. Even though the police intervened and have ensured that no one is boyco�ed, Chris�ans are s�ll being persecuted by local fana�cs. A Chris�an family in West Medinipur was declared as an outcast, by the village council and extended family because they refused to forsake Christ. A virtual funeral was conducted to declare them dead.A mob of around 200 fana�cs confronted the Chris�an families living in the Bakri Village in Bihar at midnight and told them to leave the village if they did not denounce their faith. The Chris�ans stood their ground and justly responded to their allega�ons. The fana�cs le� and threatened to return to conduct a puja(Hindu prayers) inside the Chris�an homes soon.

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Pray for Chintu, Halku, and Mahru from Korlapal, avillage in Geedam Tehsil in the Dantewada District of Chha�sgarh. They were asked to leave the village because of their faith. Chris�an families in Kandhamal, Odisha are being severely persecuted and forced to go back to Hinduism. Pray for the Chris�ans in these villages and the numerous others who face severe persecu�on because of their love and commitment to Jesus Christ.


Hindu-led inquiry blames Indian Chris�ans for the lynching of priests. A Hindu na�onalist group in the western Indian state of Maharashtra has blamed Chris�ans and le�-wingers for violence that led to the killing of two Hindu priests.Vivek Vichar Manch has


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3 �mes,a group of fana�cs broke in through the window of the Church building and took the offering box, the mic, speaker, etc. and

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14 US Senators want India listed as the worst offenders of religious freedom. September 15, 2020: The “Coali�on to Stop Genocide in India”, a broad coali�on of Indian American and US-based civil rights organiza�ons and ac�vists, today welcomed a le�er wri�en by fourteen US Senators to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressing that US law requires the US Government to consider a federal commission’s recommenda�ons that some countries be designated as a Countries of Par�cular Concern (CPC), which is the US Government’s official term for countries that are the world’s worst offenders of religious freedom.The Government has suspended FCRA clearance of 4 Chris�an groups, i.e.Ecreosoculis North Western Gossner Evangelical in Jharkhand, the Evangelical Churches Associa�on (ECA) in Manipur, Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jharkhand, and New Life Fellowship Associa�on (NLFA) in Mumbai. Pray for the Government of India to execute equalityin every decision concerning the minori�es in the Country.

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demanded federal inves�ga�on agencies such as the Na�onal Inves�ga�on Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Inves�ga�on (CBI) handle the case.On 21-09-2020, during a debate on the Foreign Contribu�on (Regula�on) Amendment Bill, 2020 at the Lok Sabha session, the BJP MP from U�ar Pradesh liberally made baseless allega�ons against renowned Chris�an Missionary Mr. Graham Staines of conver�ng tribal people and sexually moles�ng 30 tribal girls!Ranchi Bhara�ya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sanjay Seth raised the issue of religious conversions in Jharkhand during the Lok Sabha session on Monday.The religious conversion of tribals is a major issue in Jharkhand. Whenever BJP has been out of power in the state, conversion has gained momentum. During the current Jharkhand government regime, the religious conversion by alluring has risen manifold in the state," said Seth."In the small district of Simdega, there are 2,400 churches with 300 in Simdega town alone. The missionaries are involved in luring innocent tribals and conver�ng them. NirmalHridya, a Chris�an missionary, was exposed for selling children in 2018. In the name of adop�ng children, the sale of children takes place. Unmarried girls become mothers and the majority of them are tribals. The then BJP government had lodged a case and many people were arrested for the sale of children," he added.

le� the place completely vandalized. The police have turned a blind eye to the situa�on even a�er complaints have been repeatedly made. During a worship service in Suryapet, Telangana, a fana�c entered the prayer hall with his footwear on and began chan�ng slogans to his gods and goddesses. Pray for the Church to soon witness God’s jus�ce, provision, restora�on, and protec�on.


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A Senior Scien�st in CSIR and Director of the Indian Ins�tute of Scien�fic Heritage, Trivandrum, spreads hate against Chris�ans especially in Kerala, on social media pla�orms. MadhuKishwar has been pu�ng wild and deplorable tweets against Chris�ans on Twi�er. A Chris�an named SaketGhokale has filed a complaint against her and her hur�ul messages. Pray for protec�on, safety, and God’s favor over this issue.Pray for all those who propagate hate campaigns against the Chris�an Minority. Pray for the Lord to touch such educated and influen�al people who divide and inject hatred againstChris�ans.


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An Ex MLA has given a le�er to the Chief Minister of Chha�sgarh demanding the cancella�on of the Caste cer�ficate of all tribal people who had been converted to Chris�anity. All India Catholic Union Na�onal President Mr. Lancy D Cunha has listed the long-pending restora�on of scheduled rights for Dalit Chris�ans, Targeted hate and violence against religious minori�es, and the skewed Na�onal Educa�on Policy as the chief concerns of the Chris�an community in the first year of the third decade of the 21st Century. These are some of the most important concerns:1. Tribal Chris�ans have been severely impacted in various states including Jharkhand and Orissa by the aliena�on of their homes, lands, and resources because of mining and other projects. Now, they are being targeted by communal forces who are inci�ng polariza�on in villages and communi�es. This must end.2. It is 12 years a�er Kandhamal, but jus�ce is s�ll not fully given to the vic�ms of the worst pogrom in the history of the community. "We salute the resilience of the vic�m-survivors, including a nun who was gang-raped and is today a lawyer leading the struggle for jus�ce," he said. The violence in 2008 saw over 60,000 people displayed, over 6,000 houses burnt, 40 villages ethnically cleansed of the minority popula�on, and close to 400 churches and ins�tu�ons destroyed. Despite supreme court orders, many s�ll suffer.3. TARGETED HATE: Na�onal and state governments must take strong ac�on to end Targeted hate inci�ng violence and incidents of a�acks on churches and individuals. pastors. The Collectors and District superintendents of police must be held accountable for such acts of violence in their districts.

Preetam Kumar, a Chris�an wheat farmer from India’s northern state of Bihar took part in the na�onwide farmers’ protest on Sept. 25 2020, against new laws that they fear will disadvantage millions of people dependent on the country’s fraught farming sector.Kumar said farmers are disgruntled over the controversial laws passed on Sept. 20, 2020, by the federal government which change how farmers operate in the country. He said the laws are unfair and favor corpora�ons.“These corporate houses will now be regula�ng prices and will have a monopoly over everything from now on,” Kumar said.New laws are ‘last nail in the coffin’ for India’s small farmers. Church, let's li� this situa�on in Prayer.


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Pr. Thomas PJ and his family run a school in Sitapur, U�ar Pradesh. Recently, a monkey came into his garden and was crea�ng a menace. The monkey met with an accident as


During a mee�ng, a group of fana�cs came and locked up a home in which a pastor and a Chris�an family were praying. They also threatened to kill the Chris�ans if they refuse to turn away from Chris�anity.A Church worship service in Kanojiya, U�ar Pradesh was disturbed by fana�cs. They beat up the Pastor and the Chris�ans and then informed the Police. The Police came and took the pastor into custody and later released him. Fana�cs disturbed a prayer mee�ng in Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh, and beat up the Pastor and believers. They also took away the Pastor’s mobile phone and documents.A drunk fana�c brazenly entered a Church in Kota Raipur, Chha�sgarh, and began verbally abusing and accusing the Church of conversion, crea�ng chaos. He le� a�er the Church wisely and boldly confronted him. Pray for all Churches which are being a�acked in this manner.


The U�ar Pradesh Government is planning to bring an ordinance against religious conversion Times of India The dra� is ready but it has not been cleared. It could be the 10th state which will have the An�-Conversion Law in force. There are also talks of a Na�onal An�-Conversion law to be implemented in the parliament.

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By the grace of God and His favor upon us, Persecu�on Relief has reached 6 million people on Facebook.com/persecu�onrelief. Simultaneously, many hate messages are being posted against us, along with abuses, threats, and warnings. It has been brought to our no�ce that many individuals and organiza�ons are using the name of Persecu�on Relief and asking for dona�ons and spreading wrong informa�on about us. WE DO NOT HAVE A DONATION PAGE BECAUSE WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY TRUST THE LORD FOR OUR ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING OUR FINANCES. He has been gracious to provide us with all we have needed to date.Pray for these issues.

Persecu�on Relief has State coordinators in 28 states and 9 Union Territories and over 300 district coordinators na�on-wide. Pray for protec�on and provision over each one of them and their families. Pray for God to bless them with wisdom, understanding, courage, and above all, faith.

Pastor Thomas tried to hunt it away. Neighboring villagers dominated by Hindutva fana�cs made it a serious issue and took him to the Police Sta�on. He was later released from Police Custody and is in another city for his protec�on. However, his family (wife & 3 daughters) and a few believers of his congrega�on are at their residence on the school campus. Pray for the family.

For all queries write to us : persecu�[email protected] | Ph: + 91 - 99932 00020

to provide comprehensive support,

Judicially ) to the persecuted Church in India.

OUR MISSION To provide comprehensive support to the persecuted church in India by linking it to the free church of the world.

OUR GOAL To ensure freedom to worship Jesus Christ in India.

OUR MOTTO Serving Persecuted - Loving Persecutors

FOR HELP, WHEN YOU ARE PERSECUTEDPLEASE CALL 24X7 - TOLL - FREE NUMBER

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Documents

Prayer Calender September...PRAYER CALENDAR The ﬁrst of its kind in India, the ‘INDIAN CHRISTIAN DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED’ (ICDPP) , was commemorated at a na onal level,