Hindu World Prayer Guide

Christians Learning about andPraying for the Hindu world

Join Christians around the world in prayer for our one billion neighbors

As 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 out to our world’s Muslim neighbors, particularly during Ramadan.

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 repeated requests to produce a new edition. But the right time may now have come.

Over the last two years, a number of people around the world have sought me out to convey that they sensed God was calling for a renewed emphasis on India and the Hindu community. Following several meetings, I have come to feel that God was nudging me as well.

You hold in your hand the first fruit of a collaborative effort to mobilize the Church to learn about and pray for our world’s over one billion Hindu adherents.

Please join with Christians in different countries who will set aside October 8–22 to pray specifically for the Holy Spirit to move among Hindus and to reveal Jesus, the true Light of the World, to them. The time roughly coincides with a season of Hindu festivals, particularly Diwali, a very popular festival of lights. (If this timeframe does not work for your church, ministry or group, feel free to select another 15 days; there is no reason not to pray at other times.)

Thank you for joining us. If you are able, please also consider becoming a regular supporter of this ministry and help us to encourage understanding of and prayer for our world.

PaulWorldChristian.com

1

Welcome to the 15 days of Prayer for the Hindu WorldA Desire to BlessIt is not our intention with this prayer focus to disparage India or its majority religion in any way. On the contrary, as Christians we embrace the truth that we have been blessed (as Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:8) so we can be a blessing to the nations.

We recognize that India and Hinduism are far too complex, and so full of great traditions, to easily condense, explain or take lightly within a mere booklet.

As Christians, we yearn that all the world’s people(s) will have a tangible opportunity to comprehend the grace of God incarnated in Jesus Christ. For this reason, we inform ourselves, so that we may understand, and learn how to pray for and support respectful efforts to make that grace also known within our world’s Indian and Hindu communities.

Additional BookletsSee Order Form on page 32

1

2

introductionA note on the term “Hinduism” To speak of Hinduism as a religion is an attempt at simplification that is ultimately unproductive. There is no central orthodoxy or set of beliefs, adherence to which can be used to determine who is and is not a Hindu. What is popularly called Hinduism might be better described as a diverse parliament of belief systems, each of which might have its separate creeds, beliefs, etc. It might be better still to speak of many Hinduisms, instead of one Hinduism. However, it is useful to recognize that the word “Hinduism” is in such wide use today, even by Hindus themselves, that its use is almost unavoidable.

Who is a Hindu?Hindus comprise about 15 percent of the world’s population. Little discussion or teaching exists in any of the numerous Hindu traditions about how someone may either become or cease being a Hindu. Instead, caste traditions, historical precedence and traditional worldview hold that there are few, if any, acceptable doors for Hindus to cease being Hindu or for those not born into the Hindu community to become one (though some notable persons have tried). In short, to be Hindu is primarily based on being born a Hindu, and not on any specific creed or belief in any particular divine being.

What is their access to the Gospel?Hindus comprise the second largest least-reached religious group in the world. It is estimated that only about two percent of cross-cultural missionaries focus on sharing the Gospel with them. The majority of Hindus still live without any meaningful opportunity to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What are the origins of Hindu beliefs and practices?Many saints, gurus, authors and famous personalities have

contributed to the development of the many Hinduisms. However, none of them are considered alone to

have been the founder of the Hindu way of life.

While most Hindus will affirm religious texts as being valuable, there are not any sacred texts that are held to be fully

and equally authoritative across all of the many Hinduisms. Complex and diverse

Hindu traditions have been in existence in South Asia since antiquity. Indeed, the farther we go back in history, the more difficult it becomes to identify

distinctive beliefs and practices. In fact, without a single founder, founding

event, or central authoritative sacred text, the freedom to change, adopt new

ideas and develop new traditions has become

one of the most common and easily recognizable traits in the Hindu tradition.

The Hindu community’s perception of itself continues to evolve at an ever increasing pace. How this self-perception evolves will have significant implications for both Hindus as well as the rest of the world.

Why pray leading up to and during Diwali?There are many excellent times to pray for Hindus throughout the year. The five-day festival of Diwali is probably the most well-known and recognizable of all Hindu festivals. Diwali takes place in either October or November each year and is popularly known as the festival of lights. Hindus often give Diwali a position of importance above all other festivals, and during it they place particular emphasis on seeking and celebrating the blessings in their lives. So to use this prayer guide during Diwali seems appropriate.

Given the importance that most Hindus place on Diwali, it is appropriate that we should specifically pray that Hindus worldwide would also receive the greatest blessing of all—a revelation of Jesus, who is the Light of the World and Savior for all humanity.

HINDU DEMOGRAPHICS

Globally■ The number of Hindus around the world is projected to rise from

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 stable at 15 percent.

■ While the top-three countries with the largest number of Hindus are India, Nepal and Bangladesh, the first two are the only countries with a Hindu-majority population.

India■ India’s Hindu adherents make up about 80 percent of the total

population of 1.3 billion, followed by 14.2 percent Muslim and 2.3 percent Christian (2011 estimate).

■ According to the Pew Research Center, by 2050, India will have the distinction of having the largest populations of two of the three largest religions in the world—Islam and Hinduism.

■ India now recognizes 22 official languages (out of hundreds that are spoken). While Hindi is spoken by most Indians, English (a subsidiary official language) is the most important language for political, commercial and national purposes.

continued overleaf

“Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in

darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)

India in some Numbers

4

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

5

I am so delighted that 15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World is launching … again. I was inspired by the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World that God birthed in the early 1990’s just as the

heartland of the Muslim world entered a period of turmoil and war, because in the midst of upheavals as—in the book of Acts—“the Word of God has continued to spread and prevail mightily” (Acts 19:20).

In the late 1990’s we collaborated with WorldChristian.com to publish the 30 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World. While it sadly went out of print in 2004, it helped inspire national prayer initiatives that mobilized 50,000 independent churches over the next decade.

This is now being followed up with annual meetings of many Indian denominational leaders, growing from 100 leaders in attendance in 2014, to over a 1,000 in 2017. The goal is to seek a major revival of India’s 40-plus million Christians.

INCREASED RESPONSE AND PERSECUTIONMany thousands of Indian cross-cultural missionaries are at work across the subcontinent. Hundreds of thousands of Nepalis, Indians and Sri Lankans are turning to Christ, both in the subcontinent and among the South Asian diaspora.

However, since 2014 there has been a growing religious intolerance toward Christians in India and Nepal after the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election in India. The BJP and other now-emboldened nationalist groups aim to impose Hindutva (Hindu-ness) on the country’s minorities (Muslims, Dalits, Christians, tribals and the non-religious who constitute about 40 percent of the population). Hindutva is an ideology that started 90 years ago among high-caste Brahmins.

Open Door’s World Watch List, which tracks persecution of Christians, now ranks India at number 15, up from number 31 four years ago. Almost daily there are reports about Hindu extremists targeting Christian meeting places, falsely accusing them in front of intimidated police of disturbing the peace. When these methods do not succeed in converting Christians to Hindutva, they often escalate to violence, such as burning churches or beating up clerics.

The majority of the Christians that are targeted are from the lower castes, such as the Dalits, who number about 200 million. Their low socioeconomic status makes them an easy target for extremists.

The clampdown has also been severe on Christian ministries who receive foreign funds; they are charged with “anti-national” activities. Foreign Christians subjected to the same accusation have had their visas and charitable activities terminated. Western Christians should be careful of putting news on their websites as they are monitored by the government.

Yet, despite the dramatic escalation of violations against religious freedom since 2014, according to many Christian leaders the biggest challenge facing the Church in India is discipleship. There is a great need for training many more pastors to help mature the character of new believers to be able to withstand persecution.

So, in summary, I am delighted about the launching of the new 15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World … PRAISE THE LORD.

While praying for the Hindu world please pray Habakkuk 3:2• That God’s people may see what God is doing. • That God’s people may be revived. • That God may have mercy on His persecuted Church.

Thank you for Praying By Dr A M Thundiath An Indian medical professional who studied Hinduism and Islam, eager to understand what God is doing.

6

DAY October 81Khalash was married off while still a child.

When her husband came to faith in Jesus, she soon followed. Khalash longed to

use Hindu cultural traditions to share the light of Jesus with others. She was excited when she realized that the festival of Karwa Chauth, when Hindu wives fast for their husbands, could be a way for her to share her faith. On Karwa Chauth, she invited several of her friends to her home to celebrate. Khalash encouraged her friends to thirst for living

water and led them in a time of prayer for their husbands. She told the story of the woman who met Jesus at the well, and used it to illustrate how they could talk to Jesus about their concerns. At the end of their prayer time together, she gave each of them a clay pot as a symbol to remind them how they should continue to thirst for God and ask Him to fill them with His Holy Spirit.

The festival of Karwa Chauth began many generations ago. In the Hindi language,

Karwa means “clay pot” and Chauth means “fourth”, which is a reference to the festival falling on the fourth day during a waning moon. Today, many women will rise before sunrise to eat and drink before their fast begins at dawn. Traditionally, a woman fasting on Karwa Chauth does no housework. Instead, she will dress up in her finest clothes and often gather together with other wives at the house of an older woman. The elder might tell a story, and then they will pray and share small gifts (eg bangles, lipstick and a piece of fruit),

and perhaps break their fast together with a meal after dark when the moon first becomes visible.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that Hindu women who are fasting

today develop a deep spiritual thirst for living water that satisfies and wells up to eternal life, just as Jesus promised the Samaritan woman.

• Pray that Hindu women experience Jesus’ light in their lives and become bold and brightly shining lights that reflect the love of Jesus to their husbands, children, extended family and communities.

• Pray that Hindu husbands would meet Jesus, discover true godliness and live long, healthy lives that bring glory to God.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the

water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.’” (John 4:13–14)

Fasting for their loved ones: the festival of Karwa (or Karva) Chauth

7

DAY October 92India is the world’s largest democracy, with

an estimated population of 1.34 billion. The United Nations forecasts that India will surpass

China and become the most populous nation on earth by 2022. The Indian government estimates that almost 80 percent of India’s population is Hindu, which means that there are over one billion Hindus in India alone.

India’s global influence continues to grow at a rapid pace, reaching around the world and making a visible impact in areas such as media, entertainment, medicine, science and technology, business and banking. Many international corporations have established divisions in India—recognizing that India currently has the fastest-growing economy in the world. Indian companies are expanding their reach outward as well. Strong Indian brands, such as Tata, Mahindra and Reliance, are being introduced to an ever-increasing global

customer base. Indian physicians are found practicing medicine in many countries. Global information technology industries, including software development and support, frequently have an Indian connection.

As a result of these changes many followers of Christ (particularly in the Western world) who previously would have had to travel far to meet a Hindu, now find they are meeting Hindus at home in multiple new ways. Some

are now neighbors or coworkers. Others send their children to schools where they will study with Hindu classmates. The high pace of development in India, as well as globalization and large-scale immigration of educated Indians, has contributed to this change. Today, more Hindus are in contact with followers of Christ than ever before.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray for more Christians to focus ministry on

the Hindu peoples of the world.• Pray that more disciples of Jesus would learn

how to communicate the Good News to Hindus in ways that resonate with their hearts and minds.

• Pray that movements of Hindus towards Christ will emerge and grow in all types of Hindu communities.

India’s global influence continues to grow at a rapid pace, reaching

around the world …

India and its worldwide influence

DAY October 103Early one morning, Naniji glanced across

the street. To her surprise she noticed a face smiling and looking back at her from

a latticed window in the building opposite. It was a face she didn’t recognize. One day, a special concert, featuring bhajans (traditional devotional worship songs), took place in that same building. As is common in India, all the neighbors, including Naniji, were invited to attend. Naniji sat on the floor with other women from the community and enjoyed the worship music. During the time of singing

bhajans, Naniji experienced a profound sense of bhakti (devotion, or attachment to God) that was greater than she had ever experienced before. This presence deeply impacted her and she resolved to seek its source.

Naniji soon learned that the people living across the street also prayed for those who were afflicted by evil spirits. She became very curious and one day went over to see what was happening. When she arrived, she witnessed evil spirits that had been afflicting

people respond with fear and submission to the name of Yeshu (Jesus).

After witnessing the power of Yeshu’s name, Naniji became convinced that Yeshu was the most powerful God. She would wait eagerly for the evening to come so she could attend the regular worship sessions held across the street. During one such worship time, the Holy Spirit touched Naniji, and for the first time she

felt whole on the inside. She came to believe Yeshu’s love for her without any of the fears or doubts that she had had before. Later she came to think that the smiling face that she had seen through the latticed window was Yeshu.

She continues to follow Yeshu and, in spite of strong opposition, testifies about Him without fear wherever she goes.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that new believers like Naniji will

have the courage and wisdom needed to share their faith with friends, family and neighbors.

• Pray that authentic indigenous expressions of devotion to Jesus would multiply across the Indian subcontinent to all languages, tribes, and peoples.

• Pray for the children of Hindus who follow Christ, that they would grow to be powerful witnesses among their people.

8

Devotion to Jesus: Naniji’s storyNaniji sat on the floor with other

women from the community and enjoyed the worship music.

DAY october 114I encountered Christ’s love for me through

a teacher, who kindly offered to privately tutor me because I had fallen behind in

my studies. One day she invited me over to her house, and introduced me to a children’s Bible. Over time my tutor shared the love of Jesus with me, taught me how to pray to Him, and how to trust that He hears and answers our prayers. As I began to pray to Jesus, I was filled with faith because again and again He faithfully answered my prayers. Through this process, I moved from believing that Jesus was one of many gods, to believing that Jesus

is the only way to gain a restored relationship with the almighty God.

“At home, I still have to deal with many problems, such as verbal abuse from my family and not having many of my basic needs provided. But I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. My older sister has also been experiencing the love of Jesus. She initially struggled with whether or not to follow Him. But she prayed and saw a vision of herself walking behind Jesus as He cleared away the smoke from in front of her, and that has helped her faith grow.”

Young women in South Asia, like Puja, find few opportunities for education, and face abuse or neglect in the home and school. Many of them are married off before their 18th birthday. After marriage, a new bride will traditionally live with her husband’s family, where she often faces various types of emotional and physical abuse. Thankfully, in some places, such things are changing. The number of girls in school has been steadily rising due to government campaigns that encourage families to let their daughters live and to educate them.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that the prevailing attitude towards

women and their place in society will change and that their identity as precious creations of God will be revealed.

• Pray that believers will model Christ’s sacrificial love by nourishing and cherishing their wives and daughters.

• Pray that as women come into relationship with Christ, their hearts would be fully healed so that, out of their identity as dearly loved children of God, they will teach their children to walk in love.

9

Puja’s story

It,

s a ... girl In a city in north India, an expectant mother anticipates the birth of her baby. She still doesn’t know the gender of her child, not because of choice, but because it is illegal

for a doctor to tell expecting parents if their unborn baby is a girl or a boy. The day comes for the mother to give birth and … it’s a girl. The mother’s heart drops, the father sighs in disappointment. There will be no festive drumming or celebration today, as would have happened if it had been a boy. Immediately the father begins to worry about the exorbitant sum of money he will have to pay as his daughter’s dowry when it is time to arrange her marriage. Sadly, because of the burden of dowry, and other traditional pressures, female feticide and female infanticide are not uncommon.

“

DAY October 125I have always been very open to Jesus, but

if I had heard this many years ago, I would have more seriously considered becoming

his follower.” This was the comment of a Hindu man, who was reading through the Gospel of John during the testing phase of a new Hindi Bible translation project.

Hindi is the heart language of well over 300 million people, most of whom live in India. Though fully translated into Hindi more than a hundred years ago, the Bible has remained

largely unread by Hindus in the Hindi language. Historically, the Bible has been seen by Hindus as the holy book of the Christian faith, written by Christians for Christians only.

Many who work among Hindus have noted that most available translations do not use Hindi words for key terms, such as “church” and “baptism”. Instead, they rely on unfamiliar Greek words. Other key terms such as “grace” and “salvation” are described using rare Hindi words instead of common ones.

Given these and other issues, a team of translators has been working on a new translation of the Bible that uses more common and appropriate Hindi words. This new translation focuses on making scripture clearer for Hindus whose heart language is Hindi. When this new translation is complete, it will

serve as a much more approachable and natural tool for sharing the Gospel with Hindus, and teaching them to be disciples of Jesus. Significant progress has been made, and the translation of the New Testament is nearing completion.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray for the translation team to be led by

God’s Spirit, and that they may translate accurately and appropriately for their intended audience.

• Pray for the finishing of the New Testament, the finances to print it, its successful distribution and its use in Hindi-speaking satsangs (house fellowships) throughout the world.

• Pray for the translation team also to be able to turn their full attention to translating the Old Testament. One translation team member has already begun working on Genesis.

• Pray that Hindus would read the Bible and meet the Jesus of whom Peter said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68)

10

Common Hindi Bible translation project“

DAY October 136There are roughly 70 million Hindu

adherents who live outside of India, dwelling in over 140 countries. While

India has the largest number of Hindus, Nepal has the largest ratio (over 80 percent) of Hindus of any country (followed by Mauritius with about 50 percent, and Guyana, Fiji and Suriname with about one-third). Other countries with at least a half million Hindus include Bangladesh, Indonesia (Bali), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the USA.

In many of these countries, the Hindu population is very influential and continues to carry a strong sense of identity, remaining affiliated with the greater Hindu community worldwide. Hindu culture, as it adapts to environments outside of its South Asian home, can become complex. The typically pluralistic and syncretistic Hindu worldview allows Hindus to manage this challenge reasonably well, but it is not always an easy process.

As with most cases of immigration, a third culture, neither fully traditional nor entirely local, emerges. Multicultural memberships develop as diaspora Hindus live in multiple worlds. Many of them become fully fluent members of more than one society.

Alternatively, some diaspora Hindu communities choose isolation from the local culture, developing a strongly “us and them” mentality.

Local followers of Christ in these countries must seek God for strategies of how to remove unnecessary cultural barriers and minister effectively to Hindus—to those who have isolated themselves from the local culture, and to those who have developed multiple cultural identities. God’s wisdom—not limited by Western cultural Christian traditions—is needed. In these cases, true Christ-likeness is the greatest essential.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that members of the Hindu

diaspora, many of whom live in close proximity to disciples of Christ, will encounter His love through those disciples.

• Pray that more workers would be raised up to focus on the important harvest field of the diaspora.

• Pray for the youth of these “third-culture” families, that they encounter Christ and love their families instead of rebelling in confusion.

The Hindu diaspora: a global presence

11

7DAY October 14

Communities of the Indian diaspora have

been present in the Southern Hemisphere countries for centuries. They have

labored hard and established

themselves as essential

economic, social, religious and political

players within countries such as South Africa, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand,

Zimbabwe, Zambia, Peru, and Malawi.

Gujarati Hindus are a significant ethnic group

in the Indian diaspora communities.

They are known for being resourceful and business-minded. Around 88 percent of Gujaratis are Hindus. Gujarati traders and laborers brought with them their Hindu beliefs and religious practices into the countries where they migrated. They built temples and community halls, and promoted celebrations of Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi. As an example of their influence the festival of Diwali is now officially celebrated within New Zealand by city and regional councils.

Many people in the nations where the India diaspora has settled have been deeply affected by the beliefs and practices of the diaspora. Yoga and meditation are two of the most popular components of Hindu culture that have transferred into local communities and culture. Many other Hindu religious ideas, such as karma (the law of cause and effect), reincarnation, and chakras (spiritual centers of power in the human body) are finding acceptance among broad sections of the population. Sadly, the reverse is not true; the Church has had a very limited impact on the Gujarati diaspora.

Recently, a family of Indian origin, ministering to diaspora Hindus in the African

nation of Malawi, shared that this year, by living transparently and letting people see God at work in their lives, they have seen some Gujarati Hindus choose to follow Jesus. They have great need of more Gujarati-speaking ministers to help disciple these new believers.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that, as in Malawi, similar moves of God

would happen among Gujarati communities worldwide.

• Pray that Gujarati followers of Christ would fearlessly live out the Gospel, and make disciples among their fellow Gujaratis.

• Pray that Southern Hemisphere churches would reach out to Gujaratis in their areas of influence, and also send out laborers into His harvest of Gujaratis worldwide.

“Brothers (and sisters), my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them

[Gujarati Hindus] is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1—italics by

author)12

Gujarati Hindus of the Southern Hemisphere

DAY October 158Most Hindu traditions do not emphasize

personal attendance of weekly religious gatherings that contain

the elements of worship, fellowship, and preaching so familiar to most Christians. While many Hindus often visit temples, these visits are usually done alone or as a family. The main event during such visits is a personal moment in front of an idol. There are signs that this approach to worship is changing in some places, particularly in the West, where some Hindu temples have begun modeling their services and activities around more Western ways and schedules.

For the vast majority of Hindus worldwide, however, festivals—not weekly gatherings— remain the glue that brings the community together. Some of these festivals, such as Diwali and Holi, are celebrated across language, caste, and other common cultural barriers. Other festivals remain highly localized within specific ethnic or caste groups. Many festivals find their origin in the changing of seasons, with a number of festivals occurring right after harvest times.

Hindu festivals are strategic opportunities for interaction between followers of Christ and Hindus. These festivals often combine

food, celebration and various forms of worship over several days. Discerning Christians can use these opportunities to build genuine relationships with Hindus, and to learn about the Hindu community. An added benefit of building a relationship with a Hindu during a festival season is their openness to discuss the spiritual matters that each festival highlights.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that the eyes of Hindus will be

opened during festival seasons to see that Christ is the true Lord of the Harvest and that they will come to thank Him for His abundant blessings.

• Pray for disciples of Christ in Hindu families who wrestle with idolatrous aspects of festivals. Pray that they would not separate from their family/society, but would learn to represent Christ within their families while not compromising their faith.

• Pray that the joy of festivals, and their power to sustain community, would be experienced and modeled by disciples of Christ, drawing many Hindus to Jesus.

13

Festivals: bringing a community together

DAY October 169Nepal was officially a Hindu nation

until 2008 when it became a federal democratic republic. The country’s

population of about 30 million is slightly more than 80% Hindu, making it the only other Hindu-majority nation besides India. A fierce armed conflict between the then-monarchy and Maoist forces which ended in 2006 caused many Nepalis to become refugees and settle around the world.

In April 2015, Nepal was rocked by an earthquake, which killed over 9,000 people, damaged or destroyed over 600,000 structures and displaced more than 2.8 million people. The resulting massive international response, which included emergency relief, news coverage, and prayer, raised the global Church’s awareness of Nepal and its mostly Hindu population to an unprecedented level.

Until 1951, Nepal was officially closed to Christian ministers. Despite this, some Nepalis along the Indian border did come to Christ. In the 1950s, when Christian ministers were able to enter Nepal, they were primarily oriented towards mercy ministries due to government policies. Partially because of this, the Church in Nepal developed with a significant degree

of independence. Nepal’s Hindu communities often

incorporate elements of Buddhist and animist traditions. Such is the mixing that, for the outside observer, it can often be hard to tell where Hindu traditions end and Buddhist or animist ones begin. In the last 25 years, the number of followers of Christ has been growing in Nepal at an impressive rate, especially among particular language, tribal, and caste groups. Most Nepali Hindus are very open to the Gospel.

Nepalis often decide to follow Christ after experiencing His love and power. In almost every Nepali believer’s life there is a story of God’s miraculous intervention through miracles of healing, deliverance from demonic

oppression and other signs and wonders. Because of their experience of the power and the love of God, Nepali believers are often strong witnesses of Christ wherever they go, proclaiming the name of Jesus, praying for people to be healed and dealing directly with demonic oppression.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray for the continued stability of Nepal,

in light of the increased prosperity of its people.

• Pray that effective witnesses of Christ would reach out to Nepali refugees worldwide.

• Pray for a continued and increased openness to the Gospel among Nepali Hindus.

Hindus of Nepal

14

Over the next five days, we will be praying strategically through the festival of Diwali. Diwali is the largest and most recognized national celebration of Hindus, a cultural and religious extravaganza that stands out among the many festivals and rituals that make up Hinduism. There are different stories with regional variations behind the festival, which is typically celebrated in October or November; the dates change each year according to the lunar calendar. We encourage you to take some time and prepare your heart to press in even deeper. Let’s pray with passion that the Light of Christ would shine into the lives of many Hindus this year, and ask the King of Glory to visit those who need His touch the most.

Pressing in

DAY October 1710Manisha’s father pulled out a crumpled

piece of paper, and with a sigh of resignation, tossed it on the table.

He then said, “We have been to many astrologers, and they all agree, your wedding must take place in a few weeks, or we have to wait at least six more months before there is another auspicious date.” The paper contained the names and birthdates of both Manisha and Rajesh, essential ingredients for any astrologer to determine if Manisha and Rajesh should be married, and, if so, when their marriage could take place. Eventually, both families agreed and chose one of the auspicious dates for the wedding. Even an auspicious hour (two in the morning) was designated by the astrologer for the marriage ceremony to take place.

To understand the average Hindu, we must take note of the significant place that most Hindus give to the concept of auspicious times and places. Astrological charts abound, and consulting professional astrologers is central to the lives of many Hindus. Astrology 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

even when making household purchases.Inauspicious times and places are also

commonly identified and to be avoided. Fundamental in Hindu astrology is that every month, the two weeks of the waxing moon are auspicious, but the two weeks of the waning moon are inauspicious. Distinctions such as these continue to play an influential role in the lives of even educated and wealthy Hindus.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that Hindus will encounter true

freedom in Christ, and stop believing in superstitions that trap people in bondage and fear.

• Pray that Hindus who are striving for spiritual purity would find true purity and peace in Jesus Christ, who has conquered death and is a treasure that does not fade away.

• Pray that all Hindu peoples will come to know God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

15

Auspiciousness

Diwali highlightToday is Dhanteras. Dhan means wealth, and Teras means 13 (as this festival takes place on the 13th day of a common Hindu calendar). Today, many Hindus will purchase metal goods, including everything from gold to kitchen utensils, believing that it is auspicious to do so in preparation for the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Published resourcesSharing Your Faith with a HinduMadasamy Thirumalai BakerThe author was raised a Hindu and became a believer in Jesus. He explains historical and

contemporary Hindu customs, ritual practices, and intellectual obstacles to Christianity, and offers practical tips and tools on how to share the Lord with Hindus. Sharing Your Faith with a Hindu is an effective guide for Hindu evangelism both in the United States and abroad. Retail: $15; Sale Price: $13.50

The Christ of the Indian RoadE Stanley JonesAbingdonWhile this book was written nearly 100 years ago, it remains very relevant. Jones recounts his experiences in India, where he arrived as

a young and presumptuous missionary who later matured into a veteran who attempted to contextualize Jesus Christ within the

Indian culture. This is not a book of methods to export Western Christianity. Called “the world’s greatest missionary evangelist” by Time magazine in 1938, Jones spent 70 years traveling throughout the world.Retail: $14.99; Sale Price: $13.49

The Legacy of William CareyVishal and Ruth MangalwadiWCLCarey, known as the father of modern missions, is also the father of “Christian development”. He was an industrialist. An economist. A medical humanitarian. A media pioneer. An educator. A moral reformer. A botanist. And a Christian missionary. He traveled to India in 1792, and he did more for the transformation of the Indian subcontinent than any other individual before or since. Few realize how much we owe the increasing globalization of Christianity to the silent revolution he initiated. Fewer still are aware of his legacy of sensitivity to the variety of issues confronting true Gospel witness in any culture.Retail: $14.99; Sale Price: $12.74

Disciple Making among HindusTimothy ShultzWCLDrawing on 30 years’ experience among Hindus, the author describes how Hindu people experience and respond to Jesus Christ. What are the core values and rhythms of their cultural world? What are the patterns of community and discipleship that help them draw closer to Jesus? Through moving personal stories, biblical reflection, and practical wisdom, Shultz introduces us to the centrality of family, the covenantal relationships that make up Hindu social life, and the yearning for authentic spiritual experience. Far more than a strategy of contextualization or a blueprint for successful evangelism, you will discover the beauty of Hindus as Jesus sees them—and the beauty of Jesus through Hindu eyes.Retail: $14.99; Sale Price: $12.74

16

Order Now See page 32 for full ordering details.

Living Water and Indian BowlS Dayanand Bharati WCLWhile what Christ has done is applicable to humans and cultures everywhere, any culture’s refusal to embrace it may not constitute a rejection of Christ, but rather a rejection of the cultural package in which He was presented. Western packaging of Christianity for India has proven to be largely inadequate. This book illustrates the issue with many anecdotes, and the reader will learn how the Good News could be communicated in culturally understandable ways. Retail: $12.99; Sale Price: $11.69

HinduismH L Richard WCLHinduism is a complex system of diverse beliefs and practices. If you want to better understand the over one billion Hindus of the world, Richard’s brief

but insightful Hinduism is a good starter. In

it, he addresses both esoteric and practical issues. Within this small book, the author takes us on a quick tour of Hinduism’s scriptures and basic philosophies; he also includes a comprehensive glossary of Hindu terminology. Retail: $6.99; Sale Price: $6.99

Understanding World Christianity: IndiaDyron B Daughrity and Jesudas M AthyalFortress PressIndian Christianity, entrenched since the early centuries after Saint Thomas is believed to have brought the faith to South India, is a senior member of the global Christian family. This book, part of a series on World Christianity, tells us the story of the emergence of India’s Church, her growth and broadening throughout history, and her diverse and significant societal contribution to contemporary India.Retail: $19.00; Sale Price: $16.15

2018 Personal Prayer Diary/Daily PlannerYWAM Publishing (starts shipping Sep 2017)Believers all over the world use this 200-page, spiral-bound, popular annual product to both organize their schedules and goals and journal their prayer times and Bible reading. It is designed to help you live an intentional, integrated life connected to God’s kingdom. You will find calendar pages for daily, weekly, monthly and long-range scheduling, alongside a Bible-reading plan, and daily prayer points for needs around the world, as well as mission information, maps and illustrated profiles on peoples and countries. This tool will help you Plan, Journal and Pray! (Makes a great Christmas present.)Retail: $17.99; Sale Price: $11.65

17

DAY October 1811Classic Hindu tradition holds that there

are four stages of life. The first stage is that of an unmarried student, followed

by that of the householder, which begins with marriage. Hindus place a high value on productive family life, and the strength of Hinduism has traditionally resided in strong multigenerational family structures.

After raising and making proper provisions for the next generation, a householder is encouraged to retreat from life and spend time focused on spiritual matters. After this stage comes the fourth stage of life, that of homeless wandering and renunciation while in search of truth and enlightenment.

It is worth noting that very few in society ever live out these four stages, but they remain as ideals, and strongly influence the life choices of Hindus around the world. In practice, Hinduism has long allowed for men and woman at any stage of life to renounce worldly possessions and focus solely on the search for truth.

In the kingdom of God, a disciple of Christ can easily identify with the traditional Hindu value of seeking truth over material possessions. In Matthew 10, Jesus sent out the 12 disciples, saying that they should take along no extra provisions for their journey. They focused on proclaiming the kingdom of heaven, healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers and casting out demons.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that Hindus at all stages of life would

see their need for a light for the path of life, and have an opportunity to encounter the living Christ, whose blood cleanses us from all sins.

• Pray that followers of Christ will reach out to Hindus and utilize presentations of the Gospel that honor the many noble ideals Hindus hold.

• Pray that Hindus worldwide would have an awakened hunger to seek after the Truth regardless of what stage of life they are in.

18

Life stages

Diwali highlightToday, many Hindus will decorate the floors of their homes with rangoli (intricate and colorful patterns made with ground rice). Many Hindus believe that on this day the god Krishna killed a demon, signifying the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Due to differences in lunar observations, in some years (including this one) Diwali is celebrated in south India today and north India tomorrow.

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

DAY October 1912Once, during Diwali, I gathered together

in a small Indian home along with other followers of Christ. We took an oil lamp

and lit it from the flame of a central lamp. Then, in turn, we lit the lamps of those around us. With quiet prayers on our lips, we carried our lamps into the darkest corners of the home and placed them where they would cast their greatest light. A song of worship to Jesus rose into the air, and we sang together, ‘Let the lamp burn, let the name of The Lord dwell in the temple of my heart.’ As the song came to a close, the entire home filled with flickering light and, though it was night, the lamps burned all the brighter because they were burning amidst a great darkness.”

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.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that Hindus would see Jesus, who

said of Himself, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

• Pray for disciples of Christ, that they would find ways to join in the warmth of this festival along with their Hindu neighbors, and find opportunities to share the Gospel.

• Pray that Hindus around the world will come to know the true Light of the World, Jesus, in whom is full and abiding joy and hope.

19

Diwali: the festival of lights

Diwali highlightToday, families will gather together to seek prosperity and blessing for the coming year. They will light lamps for many reasons, and look forward to the future with joy and hope. When Jesus began his public ministry, it was written of Capernaum (where Jesus lived), “‘The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.’ At that time, Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matt 4:16–17)

“

DAY October 2013The Hindu caste system is a system of

social classes determined by birth. It does not have one single origin, but instead

gradually developed over many centuries from many different influences. Systems have developed within which each caste is designated to perform different functions in society, such as those born in the “Brahmin” caste serving as priests, or those born in the “Shudra” caste serving as manual laborers. In reality, few Brahmins are priests; many are now computer programmers. And not all priests are Brahmins, as there are priests from other castes as well. Only between the top (Brahmin) and bottom (Shudra) castes has there ever been any real clarity. Within each main caste, there are thousands of subcastes. Throughout history, the caste system has never functioned in any clear way, and most traditional and modern attempts to precisely 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 to another group is bigotry and counter to the love of God and His design for humanity. However, a Hindu’s caste is the social group

with which s/he most closely identifies. It is important therefore that we don’t dismiss it out of hand. Instead, we can affirm the community they feel part of, while also honoring and declaring the fact that God sees all humanity as equally valuable, regardless of caste, creed, color or culture.

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray that people group movements towards

Christ would happen among all of the many thousands of Hindu peoples and castes.

• Pray that the selfless love of the Good Samaritan would be a model for Hindus worldwide of the Father’s equal love for all.

• Pray for India’s current generation of young adults, that they would work with love and wisdom for justice among all the peoples of India, and right the many historical wrongs that racist casteism produced.

20

The caste system

Diwali highlightToday, many will visit friends, family, and neighbors and share gifts of sweets. Brothers will often be sent out to fetch their sisters from their in-laws, and bring them home to spend time with family on this day. Newly-married daughters, along with their husbands, are sometimes invited for special meals and given presents, as a way of celebrating the love and devotion between husbands and wives.

The Hindu caste system is a system of social classes

determined by birth.

DAY October 2114One Diwali, a group of students from a

Hindu nation gathered in an American family’s home to celebrate together.

Most of these students were far from their country and deeply missed their families. They sang bhajans (traditional devotional worship songs), and everyone shared about what Diwali meant to them. They told stories about their families and traditions, and how they missed their favorite sweets from back home.

The host of the meeting shared about his struggles while growing up, trying to be good and to find peace. He shared how Yeshu

(Jesus) overcame the darkness in his life, filled him with peace, and helped him to live a life of humility and filled with hope. The Spirit of God was present, and some of the attending students responded positively, indicating that they were greatly touched by the host’s testimony, and how much it made them feel at home. After the sharing time, they all ate a meal together. The evening was full of family, friendship, tradition, and sharing the light of Yeshu with students from a country where only a small minority honors the name of Christ.

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

Hospitality to international students

Diwali highlightToday is the last day of Diwali. Traditionally, brothers and sisters will meet on this day to express love and affection for one another. Sisters pray for their brother’s long life and protection over the coming year. Brothers give their sisters gifts and sweets in return.

DAY October 2215Despite often living in close proximity to

churches in Europe, North America and elsewhere, the Hindu diaspora remains

a largely neglected ministry opportunity. It is estimated that there are around 1.6 million Hindus in the USA (out of a total of 2.1 million people with Indian ethnicity), and nearly 900,000 in the UK (out of a total of 1.5 million people with Indian ethnicity).

Most of the Hindus in these places continue to place heavy importance on maintaining their Hindu identity and culture, and on cultivating a general cohesiveness within their community. There is often a strong desire in individuals to maintain at least some of their religious and cultural practices so they can preserve their relationship with their community.

One Christian leader in the UK commented: “Many times local churches are unsure how to connect with and reach out to their local Hindu community. ‘What do I say?’, ‘I don’t know what they believe!’ and ‘What if I say

or do the wrong thing?’ are just a few of the fears and worries that followers of Christ often express. If unaddressed, these fears can lead to a state of paralysis and avoidance within the church, and ultimately to a failure to share the love of Christ with the Hindu community as part of the local setting where God has placed them.”

The challenge is to step outside of our comfort zones, to learn about our Hindu neighbors, and to share the love of Christ with them. Let us continue to pray that Hindus will have opportunities to tangibly encounter the love of Christ, the Light of the World, and to turn to Him as their Lord and Savior.

Let’s remember, we are blessed to be a blessing. Are we willing to be the answer to our prayers?

WAYS TO PRAY• Pray for the local church, that a boldness

and a love for Hindus will replace the fear of saying and doing the wrong thing.

• Pray for God to provide opportunities for relationships to begin and grow between followers of Christ and Hindu friends, neighbors and work colleagues.

• Pray for Hindus to learn and understand who Jesus is and that the Holy Spirit will help them to know how to follow Him while remaining culturally related to their wider community.

22

The Church and the local Hindu community

“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)

23

Tirthayatra: a journey from darkness to light

The young children quickly assembled in lines. Dressed neatly in their school uniforms, they turned their attention to

the teacher at the front and began to recite an ancient prayer in Sanskrit*:

“Asato ma sad gamya,tamso ma jyotir gamya,

mrityor ma amritm gamya.”

In English this reads:

“Lead me (from) falsehood (to) truth,lead me from darkness to light,

lead me from death to immortality.”

A journeyReciting this ancient prayer is a daily habit for many Hindus. Most of them readily acknowledge that humanity is enslaved to falsehood, darkness, and death. Life is seen by many as a journey best spent looking for the

help of someone stronger who could bring freedom from bondage.

This journey is summed up in the word tirthayatra, which is a combination of two Sanskrit words. The first, tirtha, is commonly used to describe a “ford” in a river or a “path” to somewhere holy. Tirtha can also mean an action or transition (usually spiritual in nature) that is accomplished with the help of someone stronger.

The second word is yatra, which means a “journey” or “pilgrimage” Together, they produce the word tirthayatra, which describes a spiritual journey in search of someone whom Hindus hope can free them from falsehood, darkness, and death.

Traditionally, a tirthayatra would be undertaken together with family or friends, and between harvests when people could afford to be away from their usual chores. It used to be more common for pilgrims to travel on foot to holy sites while enduring hardships that in themselves served as acts 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.

many pilgrims forego such acts, and tour operators offer complete tirthayatra packages that include transportation, accommodation and even a guide. But as they near their destination, it is still common to see pilgrims remove their footwear as a sign of humility and earnestness.

A bridgeThe practice of tirthayatra provides a bridge for potential dialogue between followers of Christ and Hindus. We can discuss the

nature of the bondage and darkness, and our mutual need for someone stronger than us, a Savior, to free us. Any pilgrim who sets off on a journey has an awareness of their need. The prayer at the beginning of this article is a humble declaration of need; it has echoed for millennia. As followers of Christ we also admitted our need before welcoming Christ as our Savior. If we remember this, then we can empathize with seeking Hindus, for it should be a place familiar to us.

This commonality between you may well

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

the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his

Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5–7)

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have

eternal life.” (John 3:16)24

What’s next?

Hindus 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 each Hindu as a unique individual, and to ask them directly what their faith means

to them. Look for where Hindus live, work and study around you, and then find a way to develop relationships with them. In the process, you will undoubtedly discover occasions to demonstrate the love of Christ.

Don’t start with sharing the Gospel: rather, start with being genuinely interested in them. Remember, people do not care how much you know, until they know how much you actually care. It’s about friendship, and an openness to walking alongside them in this life. Keep your 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 another.” (1 John 4:11). One of the most important acts of love we are all able to engage in, is to 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 ripe but lacking in laborers (Matthew 9:37).

Thank you for praying together with us this year.

25

Here some other options and activities you could consider as follow-up: ● Take a look at the following pages of

sponsoring ministries who help make this prayer guide possible. Pray for them, learn about the opportunities they offer, volunteer, etc.

● Decide to pray for Hindus throughout the year.

● Find out about (and support) outreach 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 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.

People like you have helped change millions of lives like hers through the precious gift of God’s Word. Join us to reach millions more!

John L. PudaitePresident & CEO

biblesfortheworld.org(888) 38-BIBLE

For more than 45 years, Bibles For The World has provided Bibles to India’s Hindu people. Please consider helping to reach even more!

BiblesForTheWorldAd-HinduPrayerGuide.indd 1 7/17/17 10:46 AM

GO

WHERE

THE

GOSPEL

ISN’Tchristar.orgImage is representative.

© 2017 Christar

www.interserveusa.org | 800-809-4440

You could be the only Christian she meets.More than a quarter of the world has no one to ask about Jesus. Who will show them what it means to follow him?

Ask us how you can use your professional skills to help make Jesus known.

Explore how you can represent Jesus through:

• Short-term placement

• career Service

• medical electiveS for healthcare StudentS (partial ScholarShipS available for work in South aSia)

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:14-15)

/BeyondUPGbeyond.org /BeyondUPG /BeyondUPG

we do more thanmake disciplesand churches.

We multiply them.

At BEYOND,

Interested?Connect@beyond.org

32 * Help us support ministry opportunities around the world.

Name

Address

City State Zip

My Phone

My Email

■My check is enclosed payable to WorldChristian.com (Add $5 banking fees for checks drawn on non-US Banks.)

■Please charge my ■ VISA ■ MASTERCARD ■ DISCOVER ■ AMEX

Card No Expiry date

Signature CVV* *CVV security code: VISA/MC/DISC on signature panel. AMEX front above CC no.

Name

Address

City State Zip

MAIL YOUR ORDER FORM AND PAYMENT TO:

WorldChristian.com, PO Box 9208, Colorado Springs, CO 80932 or visit www.WorldChristian.com Call 888.926.6397 or 719.442.6409 Monday–Thursday 9am–12pm Email: orders@worldchristian.com

Order additional booklets for yourself or others1–9 booklets: $3 each • 10–49: $2.25 each • 50–249: $1.75 each • 250–999: $1.45

TITLE (see resources on pages 16 & 17) PRICE QTY TOTAL

Sub-total $

Sales Tax $ Only for Colorado orders: 2.9%

Shipping & Handling $

*Donation $

Total $

SHIPPING COSTSBOOKS & DVDs to USA addressesFirst Book: $3.99 (add $1.50 for each additional item)Prayer BOOKLETS to USA addressesFirst Booklet: $2.50 (add $0.50 for each additional up to 20), 20 copies: $12 (add $0.20 for each additional up to 100), 100 copies: $28 (add $0.15 for each additional booklet)

BOOKS & DVDs to Canada addressesFirst Book: $15 (add $2.50 for each additional item)Prayer BOOKLETS to Canada addresses$4 per booklet up to 2 copies. $15 for any number between 3–10, $25: 11–15, $35: 16–20, $45: 21–25 (add $3 for every five booklets over 25 copies; e.g., $48 for up to 30 copies; $51 for up to 35, etc)For other countries: place order online or enquire by email

Order formSH

IPPI

NG

AD

DRE

SSIf

diffe

rent

from

abo

veBI

LLIN

G A

DD

RESS

Any donation of $25 or more is tax-deductible to US tax payers (will be receipted by WorldChristian Concern). You can also securely donate online at www.WorldChristianConcern.org/donate

To increase understanding of the Great Commission within our contemporary

and globalized world … since 1986

PO Box 9208, Colorado Springs, CO 80932Tel: 1.719.442.6409

orders@worldchristian.comwww.WorldChristian.com

Copyright © 15 Days of Prayer for the Hindu World Designed by Jonathan Edwards create@jonathanedwardsdesign.com