This document provides an introduction and overview for a 15-day prayer guide focused on praying for the Hindu world. It discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the theme of "family" for this year's guide, and Hindu teachings and philosophies around suffering. It also provides background on Hinduism, statistics on the Hindu population globally, and suggestions for how to pray for Hindus at different stages of life according to the Hindu philosophy of ashramas.
The document discusses the "war against Hinduism" that is occurring in India through aggressive Christian missionary activities. It describes various tactics used by missionaries to convert Hindus, such as promising material goods in exchange for conversion, performing "miracle healings" to impress villagers, and superimposing Christian symbols onto Hindu traditions. These conversions are seen as threatening the practice of Hinduism in some areas. The document also criticizes the threatening responses of some Christian groups to reconversion efforts and says Christianity in northeast India has grown substantially due to missionary activities, restricting the practice of Hinduism in some places.
Hinduism is one of the oldest known religions originating in India over 4,000 years ago. It has no single founder or clearly defined set of beliefs but is rather an amalgamation of diverse traditions that developed over time. Key aspects include belief in reincarnation and karma, worship of deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and following rituals at important life events from birth to death. With about 1 billion followers worldwide, Hinduism remains an influential religion concentrated primarily in South Asia but now found globally.
The document discusses the five major world religions - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. It describes their founding figures, central beliefs, sacred texts, and places of worship. The religions are compared based on their concepts of God, life after death, moral principles and practices around prayer and worship.
The document discusses various challenges and approaches related to sharing the gospel with Hindu friends in India. It notes that some potential hindrances include fear, lack of burden or time, and not feeling equipped. It also addresses how to connect with friends influenced by religious philosophies through a contextual or incarnational approach, emphasizing relationship building, patience, and investment of time. The document provides biblical examples of sharing faith cross-culturally and suggests practical evangelism methods like hospitality, festivals, social engagements, and personal listening.
People's reporter vol. 28, issue 6, march 25 april 10, 2015VIBHUTI PATEL
The WCC Central Committee undertook a visit to Israel and Palestine from March 7-12 to express solidarity with churches and people in the region. The delegation met with church leaders and representatives to discuss supporting peace initiatives and reflecting on the clear wish for a just peace. Despite being a religious minority, Christians are strongly active in public life and working for justice and peace. The WCC is committed to accompanying peace and reconciliation efforts in the Middle East and believes peaceful solutions can only be achieved together with others.
India - A Beautiful Land of Spiritual, Pluralistic Ethos Now Entangled in Rel...digitalphotosolution
India has a long history of sheltering people of different faiths and embracing religious pluralism. As the birthplace of multiple religions, India celebrated cultural and religious diversity. However, in recent times religious hatred and Islamophobia have increased, threatening India's core identity of unity in diversity. Quotes from religious texts like the Quran, Gita, and Guru Granth Sahib promote pluralism. India's history of pluralism and advocates of inclusion give hope that the country will overcome current tensions and reaffirm its position as a leader in religious tolerance.
The article summarizes the opening of the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Nyagan, Siberia after 23 years of prayers by local Adventists. Adventists traveled long distances, up to 500 km, to attend the dedication Sabbath service, which centered on a Bible verse about trusting in God's faithfulness. The new church fulfills the desires of members who previously met in homes and is an answer to their prayers for a place to worship in the remote northern region with few Adventists living far apart.
There are two levels of indigenization in India according to the document: institutional indigenization and popular indigenization. Early missionaries focused on institutional indigenization by establishing western-style Christian organizations in India but neglected popular indigenization, which involves relating Christianity to local cultures, faiths, and theologies. Indian mission practitioners like Sadhu Sunder Singh placed more importance on popular indigenization by relating their practice to people of other faiths. The document discusses early missionary approaches, cultural evolution models, and attitudes toward other cultures. It emphasizes the importance of critical contextualization and an incarnational approach in contextual church planting to relate effectively with local indigenous communities.
The document discusses the "war against Hinduism" that is occurring in India through aggressive Christian missionary activities. It describes various tactics used by missionaries to convert Hindus, such as promising material goods in exchange for conversion, performing "miracle healings" to impress villagers, and superimposing Christian symbols onto Hindu traditions. These conversions are seen as threatening the practice of Hinduism in some areas. The document also criticizes the threatening responses of some Christian groups to reconversion efforts and says Christianity in northeast India has grown substantially due to missionary activities, restricting the practice of Hinduism in some places.
Hinduism is one of the oldest known religions originating in India over 4,000 years ago. It has no single founder or clearly defined set of beliefs but is rather an amalgamation of diverse traditions that developed over time. Key aspects include belief in reincarnation and karma, worship of deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and following rituals at important life events from birth to death. With about 1 billion followers worldwide, Hinduism remains an influential religion concentrated primarily in South Asia but now found globally.
The document discusses the five major world religions - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. It describes their founding figures, central beliefs, sacred texts, and places of worship. The religions are compared based on their concepts of God, life after death, moral principles and practices around prayer and worship.
The document discusses various challenges and approaches related to sharing the gospel with Hindu friends in India. It notes that some potential hindrances include fear, lack of burden or time, and not feeling equipped. It also addresses how to connect with friends influenced by religious philosophies through a contextual or incarnational approach, emphasizing relationship building, patience, and investment of time. The document provides biblical examples of sharing faith cross-culturally and suggests practical evangelism methods like hospitality, festivals, social engagements, and personal listening.
People's reporter vol. 28, issue 6, march 25 april 10, 2015VIBHUTI PATEL
The WCC Central Committee undertook a visit to Israel and Palestine from March 7-12 to express solidarity with churches and people in the region. The delegation met with church leaders and representatives to discuss supporting peace initiatives and reflecting on the clear wish for a just peace. Despite being a religious minority, Christians are strongly active in public life and working for justice and peace. The WCC is committed to accompanying peace and reconciliation efforts in the Middle East and believes peaceful solutions can only be achieved together with others.
India - A Beautiful Land of Spiritual, Pluralistic Ethos Now Entangled in Rel...digitalphotosolution
India has a long history of sheltering people of different faiths and embracing religious pluralism. As the birthplace of multiple religions, India celebrated cultural and religious diversity. However, in recent times religious hatred and Islamophobia have increased, threatening India's core identity of unity in diversity. Quotes from religious texts like the Quran, Gita, and Guru Granth Sahib promote pluralism. India's history of pluralism and advocates of inclusion give hope that the country will overcome current tensions and reaffirm its position as a leader in religious tolerance.
The article summarizes the opening of the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Nyagan, Siberia after 23 years of prayers by local Adventists. Adventists traveled long distances, up to 500 km, to attend the dedication Sabbath service, which centered on a Bible verse about trusting in God's faithfulness. The new church fulfills the desires of members who previously met in homes and is an answer to their prayers for a place to worship in the remote northern region with few Adventists living far apart.
There are two levels of indigenization in India according to the document: institutional indigenization and popular indigenization. Early missionaries focused on institutional indigenization by establishing western-style Christian organizations in India but neglected popular indigenization, which involves relating Christianity to local cultures, faiths, and theologies. Indian mission practitioners like Sadhu Sunder Singh placed more importance on popular indigenization by relating their practice to people of other faiths. The document discusses early missionary approaches, cultural evolution models, and attitudes toward other cultures. It emphasizes the importance of critical contextualization and an incarnational approach in contextual church planting to relate effectively with local indigenous communities.
This document discusses the tactics used by Christian missionaries in India to convert Hindus to Christianity. It describes how missionaries dress like Hindu holy men, incorporate Hindu rituals into Christian worship, promise benefits like loan forgiveness to tribals for converting, and use tricks and false healings to convince people to convert. The document asserts that these conversions are not based on spiritual reasons but on material benefits and trickery. It also discusses how some Christian groups have created a confrontational environment against Hindus in Northeast India and forbid Hindu practices in some areas.
This document discusses the various tactics used by Christian missionaries in India to convert Hindus to Christianity. It describes how missionaries dress like Hindu holy men, teach Christian versions of Hindu rituals and symbols, and promise material benefits to persuade Hindus to convert. It argues this amounts to a "war against Hinduism" that is undermining Hindu culture and could reduce Hindus to a minority in India over time through these conversion activities and secular education that diminishes Hinduism.
Top 10 Most Powerful Religions In The World | Surprise With The Number Of Followers Of Christianity
We all know that money is not everything, and regardless of whether you are a religious or an atheist, you should know that there are many religions in the world and the right thing to do. respect their ideals. Be happy, have fun, help people, and don't be the bad guy. With the above spirit, let's find out the 10 strongest religions in the world.
Baha'u'llah is a Persian man who founded Baha'i religion in the 19th century. Baha'i religion believes in the unity of all religions. Baha'i unites the messengers in the history of religions such as Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed into a religion that fits the needs of the time and the capabilities of the people of that time.
In the early 19th century, a French teacher named Allan Kardec founded animism. Unlike most other religions, Allan Kardec is not a prophet. In fact, spiritualism does not believe in prophecies either. Kardec has written five books on spiritualism, which are based on research and evidence on conversations with the spiritual world. This religion embraces the same values as Christianity, but does not see Jesus as the Son of God.
The document provides an overview of how globalization impacts religious practices and beliefs. It discusses key topics like the definition of religion, types of religious organizations (church, sect, denomination, cult), major world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam), and perspectives on religion's role in globalization (modernist, post-modernist, pre-modernist). Globalization encourages religious pluralism and less rooted local practices due to diasporas and transnational ties. It also provides opportunities for non-institutionalized religions and use of religion as a political/cultural resource.
The document provides an overview of how globalization impacts religious practices and beliefs. It discusses key topics like the definition of religion, types of religious organizations (church, sect, denomination, cult), major world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam), and perspectives on religion's role in globalization (modernist, post-modernist, pre-modernist). Globalization encourages religious pluralism and less rooted local practices due to diasporas and transnational ties. It also provides opportunities for non-institutionalized religions and use of religion as a political/cultural resource.
Fundamentalism across religions in India poses a threat to the country's democratic fabric. Religious fundamentalism promotes extreme views and intolerance toward other faiths. In India, various fundamentalist groups emerging from Hindutva, ISIS, and Christian sects express ideas like religious conversion, imposing one culture and religion, which cause harm. The rise of fundamentalism is fueled by increased religious conversions and a lack of openness to other faiths, leading to more attacks on religious sites. For India to prosper, people must embrace a more humanistic and love-oriented approach between religions instead of one dominated by laws and rigidity.
Rough DraftINTRODUCTIONReligion is an important aspect that in.docxjoellemurphey
Rough Draft
INTRODUCTION
Religion is an important aspect that involves collection of cultural systems, beliefs and world views that relate humanity to the aspect of existence. Throughout history, religion has provided people with different answers, thus improving societal cultures and civilization. The study of religion has played a major role both in the past and present. It is also a major force behind human experience. All over the world, religion has offered different lessons to unity, peace, cleansing, conflicts, terrorism, economics, and politics among many others. On the other hand, religious traditions over the years, have laid foundations that promote the principles of human rights, international peace, justice and cohesion. Today, religion has undergone different challenges due evolvement of technology and science. The critics behind this two departments have argued that religion is a thing of the past and that soon it will be out of the way. They have also portrayed religion as a system that does not consider new stages of human existence (Harper, 2010). Comment by Nick Mayrand: Remember that I asked you to only use sources that we covered in class for this paper. I don’t know what this Harper reference is? Since the intro does work pretty well, I’ll let you leave it in here. But I do need you to list the full source information at the end of the paper since you did go outside of our course material.
Though such negative implications have been leveled against religion, many people around the world believe that religion persists any form of nature and is still on the rise. Through the study of religion, people are able to address different global issues and cultural conflicts. Religion is everywhere and improves people’s lives in different faiths that people have such as Christians, Muslims among others. Religious studies are also important because they offer relevance and better understanding to the world we live in.
Question 1
Many authors believe that religion through its diversity has a room for science and skepticism to improve the changing world. Today, it difficult to watch television, newspaper, listen to radio, or use social media without getting religious context and issues being addressed locally or globally. The discipline of religious studies also promote spiritual, social, physical and moral attributes that are necessary in providing reflection of how people behave. People are also able to understand the ultimate purpose of life and their relationship with God. It also gives people ability to understand there practices, beliefs, and teaching, in order to challenge their spiritual development.
According to many theorists, the basic principles of religion offers expression to humanity purpose and meaning. Therefore, though religion has strengths and weaknesses in the society. People need to focus more on the positive outcomes it offers. The weakness side of religion is normally attributed to the fact that some people ...
This document provides information about the diverse cultures of Southern and Eastern Asia for 7th grade social studies students. It discusses the prominent religions in the regions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism, and Confucianism. For each religion, it outlines key beliefs, practices, founders, and sacred texts. It also explains the differences between ethnic and religious groups and how literacy rates can affect standards of living.
WISDOM FOR THE HEART MONTHLY BILINGUAL MAGAZINE 26 August - 2017Billy Judson
This monthly magazine provides summaries of articles on Christian leadership, evangelism, and church growth. The magazine aims to spiritually encourage and equip Christian leaders and evangelists for effective gospel preaching. This issue includes articles on the life of Christ, leadership perspectives, principles of biblical interpretation, and church growth. It also features book summaries and outlines on various biblical topics. The magazine is published in both English and Telugu to reach Christian readers in India.
India is home to many religions that have a long history in the country. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism originated in India and are the major Indian religions practiced by the majority. Other faiths like Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism were introduced in India's history through migration and missionary work. Today, India accepts a diversity of religious communities and guarantees religious freedom for all through its legal and social frameworks.
The document discusses the expansion and activities of evangelical Christian organizations in India from a critical perspective. It notes that large Western-funded organizations like World Vision and Gospel for Asia build infrastructure and provide services, but also covertly engage in proselytization activities disguised as development or humanitarian work. The document argues that the goal of such organizations is to ultimately spread fundamentalist Christianity and create populations dependent on the West in India. It provides several examples and quotes from evangelical thinkers and leaders to assert that the organizations view Hinduism negatively and as an obstacle to be overcome.
A look at what the Bible has to say about whether our secular culture can really live without God, and what the Gospel is, and how it meets the needs of mankind.
हिंदी वर्णमाला पीपीटी, hindi alphabet PPT presentation, hindi varnamala PPT, Hindi Varnamala pdf, हिंदी स्वर, हिंदी व्यंजन, sikhiye hindi varnmala, dr. mulla adam ali, hindi language and literature, hindi alphabet with drawing, hindi alphabet pdf, hindi varnamala for childrens, hindi language, hindi varnamala practice for kids, https://www.drmullaadamali.com
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17Celine George
In Odoo, making a field required can be done through both Python code and XML views. When you set the required attribute to True in Python code, it makes the field required across all views where it's used. Conversely, when you set the required attribute in XML views, it makes the field required only in the context of that particular view.
This document discusses the tactics used by Christian missionaries in India to convert Hindus to Christianity. It describes how missionaries dress like Hindu holy men, incorporate Hindu rituals into Christian worship, promise benefits like loan forgiveness to tribals for converting, and use tricks and false healings to convince people to convert. The document asserts that these conversions are not based on spiritual reasons but on material benefits and trickery. It also discusses how some Christian groups have created a confrontational environment against Hindus in Northeast India and forbid Hindu practices in some areas.
This document discusses the various tactics used by Christian missionaries in India to convert Hindus to Christianity. It describes how missionaries dress like Hindu holy men, teach Christian versions of Hindu rituals and symbols, and promise material benefits to persuade Hindus to convert. It argues this amounts to a "war against Hinduism" that is undermining Hindu culture and could reduce Hindus to a minority in India over time through these conversion activities and secular education that diminishes Hinduism.
Top 10 Most Powerful Religions In The World | Surprise With The Number Of Followers Of Christianity
We all know that money is not everything, and regardless of whether you are a religious or an atheist, you should know that there are many religions in the world and the right thing to do. respect their ideals. Be happy, have fun, help people, and don't be the bad guy. With the above spirit, let's find out the 10 strongest religions in the world.
Baha'u'llah is a Persian man who founded Baha'i religion in the 19th century. Baha'i religion believes in the unity of all religions. Baha'i unites the messengers in the history of religions such as Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed into a religion that fits the needs of the time and the capabilities of the people of that time.
In the early 19th century, a French teacher named Allan Kardec founded animism. Unlike most other religions, Allan Kardec is not a prophet. In fact, spiritualism does not believe in prophecies either. Kardec has written five books on spiritualism, which are based on research and evidence on conversations with the spiritual world. This religion embraces the same values as Christianity, but does not see Jesus as the Son of God.
The document provides an overview of how globalization impacts religious practices and beliefs. It discusses key topics like the definition of religion, types of religious organizations (church, sect, denomination, cult), major world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam), and perspectives on religion's role in globalization (modernist, post-modernist, pre-modernist). Globalization encourages religious pluralism and less rooted local practices due to diasporas and transnational ties. It also provides opportunities for non-institutionalized religions and use of religion as a political/cultural resource.
The document provides an overview of how globalization impacts religious practices and beliefs. It discusses key topics like the definition of religion, types of religious organizations (church, sect, denomination, cult), major world religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam), and perspectives on religion's role in globalization (modernist, post-modernist, pre-modernist). Globalization encourages religious pluralism and less rooted local practices due to diasporas and transnational ties. It also provides opportunities for non-institutionalized religions and use of religion as a political/cultural resource.
Fundamentalism across religions in India poses a threat to the country's democratic fabric. Religious fundamentalism promotes extreme views and intolerance toward other faiths. In India, various fundamentalist groups emerging from Hindutva, ISIS, and Christian sects express ideas like religious conversion, imposing one culture and religion, which cause harm. The rise of fundamentalism is fueled by increased religious conversions and a lack of openness to other faiths, leading to more attacks on religious sites. For India to prosper, people must embrace a more humanistic and love-oriented approach between religions instead of one dominated by laws and rigidity.
Rough DraftINTRODUCTIONReligion is an important aspect that in.docxjoellemurphey
Rough Draft
INTRODUCTION
Religion is an important aspect that involves collection of cultural systems, beliefs and world views that relate humanity to the aspect of existence. Throughout history, religion has provided people with different answers, thus improving societal cultures and civilization. The study of religion has played a major role both in the past and present. It is also a major force behind human experience. All over the world, religion has offered different lessons to unity, peace, cleansing, conflicts, terrorism, economics, and politics among many others. On the other hand, religious traditions over the years, have laid foundations that promote the principles of human rights, international peace, justice and cohesion. Today, religion has undergone different challenges due evolvement of technology and science. The critics behind this two departments have argued that religion is a thing of the past and that soon it will be out of the way. They have also portrayed religion as a system that does not consider new stages of human existence (Harper, 2010). Comment by Nick Mayrand: Remember that I asked you to only use sources that we covered in class for this paper. I don’t know what this Harper reference is? Since the intro does work pretty well, I’ll let you leave it in here. But I do need you to list the full source information at the end of the paper since you did go outside of our course material.
Though such negative implications have been leveled against religion, many people around the world believe that religion persists any form of nature and is still on the rise. Through the study of religion, people are able to address different global issues and cultural conflicts. Religion is everywhere and improves people’s lives in different faiths that people have such as Christians, Muslims among others. Religious studies are also important because they offer relevance and better understanding to the world we live in.
Question 1
Many authors believe that religion through its diversity has a room for science and skepticism to improve the changing world. Today, it difficult to watch television, newspaper, listen to radio, or use social media without getting religious context and issues being addressed locally or globally. The discipline of religious studies also promote spiritual, social, physical and moral attributes that are necessary in providing reflection of how people behave. People are also able to understand the ultimate purpose of life and their relationship with God. It also gives people ability to understand there practices, beliefs, and teaching, in order to challenge their spiritual development.
According to many theorists, the basic principles of religion offers expression to humanity purpose and meaning. Therefore, though religion has strengths and weaknesses in the society. People need to focus more on the positive outcomes it offers. The weakness side of religion is normally attributed to the fact that some people ...
This document provides information about the diverse cultures of Southern and Eastern Asia for 7th grade social studies students. It discusses the prominent religions in the regions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism, and Confucianism. For each religion, it outlines key beliefs, practices, founders, and sacred texts. It also explains the differences between ethnic and religious groups and how literacy rates can affect standards of living.
WISDOM FOR THE HEART MONTHLY BILINGUAL MAGAZINE 26 August - 2017Billy Judson
This monthly magazine provides summaries of articles on Christian leadership, evangelism, and church growth. The magazine aims to spiritually encourage and equip Christian leaders and evangelists for effective gospel preaching. This issue includes articles on the life of Christ, leadership perspectives, principles of biblical interpretation, and church growth. It also features book summaries and outlines on various biblical topics. The magazine is published in both English and Telugu to reach Christian readers in India.
India is home to many religions that have a long history in the country. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism originated in India and are the major Indian religions practiced by the majority. Other faiths like Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism were introduced in India's history through migration and missionary work. Today, India accepts a diversity of religious communities and guarantees religious freedom for all through its legal and social frameworks.
The document discusses the expansion and activities of evangelical Christian organizations in India from a critical perspective. It notes that large Western-funded organizations like World Vision and Gospel for Asia build infrastructure and provide services, but also covertly engage in proselytization activities disguised as development or humanitarian work. The document argues that the goal of such organizations is to ultimately spread fundamentalist Christianity and create populations dependent on the West in India. It provides several examples and quotes from evangelical thinkers and leaders to assert that the organizations view Hinduism negatively and as an obstacle to be overcome.
A look at what the Bible has to say about whether our secular culture can really live without God, and what the Gospel is, and how it meets the needs of mankind.
हिंदी वर्णमाला पीपीटी, hindi alphabet PPT presentation, hindi varnamala PPT, Hindi Varnamala pdf, हिंदी स्वर, हिंदी व्यंजन, sikhiye hindi varnmala, dr. mulla adam ali, hindi language and literature, hindi alphabet with drawing, hindi alphabet pdf, hindi varnamala for childrens, hindi language, hindi varnamala practice for kids, https://www.drmullaadamali.com
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17Celine George
In Odoo, making a field required can be done through both Python code and XML views. When you set the required attribute to True in Python code, it makes the field required across all views where it's used. Conversely, when you set the required attribute in XML views, it makes the field required only in the context of that particular view.
Leveraging Generative AI to Drive Nonprofit InnovationTechSoup
In this webinar, participants learned how to utilize Generative AI to streamline operations and elevate member engagement. Amazon Web Service experts provided a customer specific use cases and dived into low/no-code tools that are quick and easy to deploy through Amazon Web Service (AWS.)
LAND USE LAND COVER AND NDVI OF MIRZAPUR DISTRICT, UPRAHUL
This Dissertation explores the particular circumstances of Mirzapur, a region located in the
core of India. Mirzapur, with its varied terrains and abundant biodiversity, offers an optimal
environment for investigating the changes in vegetation cover dynamics. Our study utilizes
advanced technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote sensing to
analyze the transformations that have taken place over the course of a decade.
The complex relationship between human activities and the environment has been the focus
of extensive research and worry. As the global community grapples with swift urbanization,
population expansion, and economic progress, the effects on natural ecosystems are becoming
more evident. A crucial element of this impact is the alteration of vegetation cover, which plays a
significant role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of our planet.Land serves as the foundation for all human activities and provides the necessary materials for
these activities. As the most crucial natural resource, its utilization by humans results in different
'Land uses,' which are determined by both human activities and the physical characteristics of the
land.
The utilization of land is impacted by human needs and environmental factors. In countries
like India, rapid population growth and the emphasis on extensive resource exploitation can lead
to significant land degradation, adversely affecting the region's land cover.
Therefore, human intervention has significantly influenced land use patterns over many
centuries, evolving its structure over time and space. In the present era, these changes have
accelerated due to factors such as agriculture and urbanization. Information regarding land use and
cover is essential for various planning and management tasks related to the Earth's surface,
providing crucial environmental data for scientific, resource management, policy purposes, and
diverse human activities.
Accurate understanding of land use and cover is imperative for the development planning
of any area. Consequently, a wide range of professionals, including earth system scientists, land
and water managers, and urban planners, are interested in obtaining data on land use and cover
changes, conversion trends, and other related patterns. The spatial dimensions of land use and
cover support policymakers and scientists in making well-informed decisions, as alterations in
these patterns indicate shifts in economic and social conditions. Monitoring such changes with the
help of Advanced technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems is
crucial for coordinated efforts across different administrative levels. Advanced technologies like
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
9
Changes in vegetation cover refer to variations in the distribution, composition, and overall
structure of plant communities across different temporal and spatial scales. These changes can
occur natural.
ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, and GDPR: Best Practices for Implementation and...PECB
Denis is a dynamic and results-driven Chief Information Officer (CIO) with a distinguished career spanning information systems analysis and technical project management. With a proven track record of spearheading the design and delivery of cutting-edge Information Management solutions, he has consistently elevated business operations, streamlined reporting functions, and maximized process efficiency.
Certified as an ISO/IEC 27001: Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) Lead Implementer, Data Protection Officer, and Cyber Risks Analyst, Denis brings a heightened focus on data security, privacy, and cyber resilience to every endeavor.
His expertise extends across a diverse spectrum of reporting, database, and web development applications, underpinned by an exceptional grasp of data storage and virtualization technologies. His proficiency in application testing, database administration, and data cleansing ensures seamless execution of complex projects.
What sets Denis apart is his comprehensive understanding of Business and Systems Analysis technologies, honed through involvement in all phases of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). From meticulous requirements gathering to precise analysis, innovative design, rigorous development, thorough testing, and successful implementation, he has consistently delivered exceptional results.
Throughout his career, he has taken on multifaceted roles, from leading technical project management teams to owning solutions that drive operational excellence. His conscientious and proactive approach is unwavering, whether he is working independently or collaboratively within a team. His ability to connect with colleagues on a personal level underscores his commitment to fostering a harmonious and productive workplace environment.
Date: May 29, 2024
Tags: Information Security, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, Artificial Intelligence, GDPR
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Communicating effectively and consistently with students can help them feel at ease during their learning experience and provide the instructor with a communication trail to track the course's progress. This workshop will take you through constructing an engaging course container to facilitate effective communication.
Temple of Asclepius in Thrace. Excavation resultsKrassimira Luka
The temple and the sanctuary around were dedicated to Asklepios Zmidrenus. This name has been known since 1875 when an inscription dedicated to him was discovered in Rome. The inscription is dated in 227 AD and was left by soldiers originating from the city of Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv).
it describes the bony anatomy including the femoral head , acetabulum, labrum . also discusses the capsule , ligaments . muscle that act on the hip joint and the range of motion are outlined. factors affecting hip joint stability and weight transmission through the joint are summarized.
2. Welcome to the 2021 edition of the 15 Days of
Prayer for the Hindu World prayer guide!
INTRODUCTION
The whole world suffered through the
pandemic of COVID-19 but the nation of
India, the home of the majority of Hindus,
has endured more of its terrible misery
than most. The impact of the disease
through loss of life, health, opportunity,
and income has left no Indian family
untouched and will be felt for decades to
come.
The theme of “family” for this year’s
guide was chosen, and work had begun
on writing articles and gathering photos
all before the brutal force of the second
wave of COVID-19 hit India. Sickness,
grief and loss ravaged the Indian
subcontinent. Families were devastated.
Hindu funeral pyres lit up the streets for
weeks. The coordination team for this
prayer guide, our families, friends, and
communities have been changed forever.
Hinduism approaches the problem of
suffering in different ways, depending
on the branch one follows. Swami
Vivekananda, was an influential Hindu
monk from Calcutta who lived from
1863-1902. His teaching on suffering
draws from the story of the goddess
Sita, who suffers great injustices in the
ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana.
Sita is lauded as the ideal woman:
devoted and pure, faithful despite any
pain or injustice. Her ability to endure
suffering is considered her greatest
strength. Swami Vivekananda teaches
that patient endurance in suffering is
the Hindu ideal. He says, “We destroy
evil by suffering, until evil is nothing to
us, it becomes positive enjoyment.” He
compares this to the Western philosophy
of suffering, which aims to “minimise evil
by conquering it.”
As followers of Christ, we do not
embrace a “Western” or an “Eastern”
philosophy, but we look to the Scriptures
to understand the human experience of
suffering, in all its forms and outcomes.
The Bible directs us to remember that
suffering is temporary (1 Peter 5:10),
that it is nothing compared to the glory
that awaits us (Romans 8:18), and that
God can use it for good (Romans 8:28).
Believers are also exhorted to use
suffering as an opportunity to grow
in faith (James 1:2-4) and to recognise
it as something we share with Jesus
(Philippians 3:10). Knowing that we
1
3. will face suffering, we are commanded
to comfort those who are afflicted (2
Corinthians 1:3-4; Galatians 6:2) and be
comforted by the presence of Christ in
our own suffering (2 Corinthians 1:5,
Psalm 23). Lament is part of our faith
(Psalm 88) but so is hope (Revelation
21:4).
In the face of so much suffering one
can feel hopeless. Prayer can seem
inadequate. But we are inspired by the
promise in Romans 8:26-28.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in
our weakness. We do not know what we
ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us through wordless
groans. And he who searches our
hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
INTRODUCTION
because the Spirit intercedes for God’s
people in accordance with the will of
God. And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to
his purpose.
As you pray through this prayer guide,
allow the Holy Spirit to intercede
through you for the Hindu families who
need to experience the hope of Christ
in their season of lament. Pray for the
restoration of India, and other Hindu
communities ravaged by the COVID-19
pandemic. And pray for Christians in
these communities to cause the message
of Jesus to spread throughout these
regions, calling Hindu people to Him and
working all things together for good.
2
4. About the 15 Days of Prayer
for the Hindu World
INTRODUCTION
How did 15 Days start?
In 2016, a network of Christians working to share the love of Christ with Hindu people
were inspired to revive a prayer guide for Hindus that had begun development in the
1990s.
This 2021 edition is an expression of the love that followers of Christ have for Hindu
peoples; love that includes a desire for them to prosper and discover eternal salvation in
Jesus.
Who writes the articles and produces the guide?
Content for the prayer guide is contributed by a diverse group of Christ-followers spread
all over the world, many of whom live with, work with, and love Hindu people.
How do you decide what to pray for?
We accept submissions from all over the world, usually following a theme each year.
If you are interested in mobilising prayer for a particular need in the Hindu world, please
contact us using the contact form on our website: www.pray15days.org or send an e-mail
to info@pray15days.org
PRAY THEN LIKE THIS
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on
earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10
3
5. About Hinduism
Is Hinduism a religion?
Hinduism is too complex to describe as a single religion, and we
will not attempt to provide a comprehensive understanding of
it in this guide. Within Hinduism, there is no central orthodoxy,
creed or set of beliefs that can be used to determine who is a
Hindu.
The word “Hinduism” describes a diverse group of many
religions, traditions, teachings, or belief systems. Any Hindu
person might have their own separate set of creeds, beliefs, etc.
It might be better to speak of many Hinduisms rather than one
Hinduism.
However, it is useful to recognise that the word “Hinduism” is
commonly used, even by Hindus themselves, to describe this
broad set of ideas and collective identity.
Who is a Hindu?
About 15 percent of the world’s population identifies as Hindu.
Being Hindu is primarily based on being born into a Hindu family,
not on any set of beliefs, worship of any specific god, or act of
conversion.
What are the origins of Hinduism?
Many saints, gurus, authors, and famous personalities have
contributed to the development of Hinduism. However, no single
founding person or event is given credit for starting Hinduism.
While most Hindus will agree that certain sacred Hindu texts
are valuable, no holy scripture is held to be fully and equally
authoritative by all Hindus.
Complex and diverse Hindu traditions have existed in South
Asia since before recorded history. Additionally, the Hindu
community’s perception of itself has changed and evolved over
the centuries and continues to develop.
INTRODUCTION
4
6. Hindu population statistics
INTRODUCTION
Hindu population statistics
INDIA is the world’s second most populous nation and 95% of all
Hindus in the world live here. Of India’s population of 1.4 billion,
around 80 percent are Hindu.
NEPAL is the only other country in the world with a majority
Hindu population. About 81 percent (or 22 million) of Nepal’s
total population of 29 million is Hindu.
BANGLADESH has a Hindu population of about 16 million (10
percent of the total population of 163 million).
INDONESIA, with more Muslims than any other country, also
has a Hindu population of about 4.5 million or 1.7 percent of the
total population of 270 million; most of the Hindus live on the
island of Bali.
PAKISTAN, which ranks 3rd in the list of countries with the most
Muslims, has a Hindu population of about 3.4 million (1.6% of the
total population of 216 million)
Globally, there are 1.1 billion
Hindus, or 15 percent of the
world population of 7.8 billion.
By comparison, the population
of Christians is 2.3 billion, and
Muslims 1.9 billion.
THE FIVE COUNTRIES WITH MOST HINDUS
5
7. Praying for Hindus
INTRODUCTION
Hindus are the second-largest, least-reached religious group
in the world, with only about 2 percent of cross-cultural
ministers focused on sharing the gospel with them. This
means that the majority of Hindus still live without any
meaningful access to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Luke 4:17-19, Jesus declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the
poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to
proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
In this prayer guide, we encourage you to pray for Hindu
communities who are among some of the poorest in the world,
and are in need of freedom, favour and good news. Pray for
them to be blessed, to be healed and to have the opportunity to
hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We pray that you are inspired by the provided scriptures and
allow the Holy Spirit to direct your prayers and your heart
towards the Hindu people He loves.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the
Lord of the Harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”
(MATTHEW 9:37-38)
6
8. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for Hindus in the first
stage, for opportunities to make
Christian friends and hear the
gospel. (Proverbs 22:6)
Pray for Hindus in the second
stage, that in this busy season
of life they will have encounters
with the Holy Spirit that help
lead them to find Christ.
(Ephesians 1:17-19)
Pray for Hindus in the
last stages of life, that in
their pursuit of spiritual
enlightenment they would have
a revelation of Jesus. (Acts 2:17)
In Hindu philosophy, there are four
stages of life, called ashramas. These
help to direct a Hindu through life, with
different purposes and goals at each
stage.
Brahmacharya is the first ashrama, the
student stage, when a child is expected
to focus on education. This stage lasts
until around the time a child finishes their
formal education.
The second ashrama is Grihastha, the
stage of life when a Hindu is expected to
marry, set up a household of their own,
and have children. Starting a family is seen
by some Hindus as a spiritual duty. Hindu
texts have much to say about marriage
and how to make it successful. In many
Hindu cultures, this duty is additionally
emphasised by the importance placed on
maintaining an ancestral line.
The stages of Hindu life
DAY 1
The third ashrama, Banaprashtra is the
time of life when a person is free from
family obligations and has more time to
pursue spiritual practices. In the multi-
generational households common in India,
older Hindus will have the opportunity to
share their wisdom with grandchildren and
help to teach them spiritual lessons.
These stages all prepare a Hindu for
Sannyasa, the fourth ashrama, when a
person devotes themselves entirely to
spiritual study with the goal of being set
free from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Not everyone practices this fourth
ashrama, although some will enter this
stage earlier, giving up family life to live a
monastic life, focused on spiritual study.
7
9. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for couples where an
arranged marriage isn’t working
and there is rejection and
isolation. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Pray for blessings on the
marriages of Hindus you know
and for those in rural India.
(Colossians 3:14)
Pray for Christians living in
Hindu communities, for their
marriages to be strong as
they reflect the love of Christ.
(Revelation 21:1-4)
Jagdish grew up in a simple family of dairy
farmers. He would work from sunrise,
milking the animals, delivering the milk on
a motorcycle, and repeating the process
again in the afternoon, working late into
the evening. He had a good income, and he
was quick to pass the money to his family.
His generous heart meant he was always
willing to lend money to people in need
and often gave to help families who had
medical expenses or big veterinary bills.
Like so many couples in rural India, Jagdish
and Devi’s wedding was arranged when
they were only babies. Weddings in India
are much more about two families coming
together and uniting communities than
they are about two individuals choosing
each other. When this works well it
provides a wonderful security to the couple
and family and builds strong community.
When the time came for Jagdish to marry
Arranged Marriages
DAY 2
Devi the whole community was excited
to celebrate the day. Jagdish had such a
generous heart and Devi was a beautiful,
gentle girl who loved to help others. It
seemed like the perfect match. However,
Jagdish had decided that he didn’t want
to marry Devi and he would not accept
her. The wedding went ahead because
cancelling it would bring too much shame
on their families. Their families felt that
over time Jagdish would change his mind
and their parents would bring positive
pressure.
Sadly, both Devi and Jagdish’s parents
passed away not long after the marriage
and without the voice or influence of the
elders, their marriage has stalled. Devi feels
alone, isolated, and unloved while Jagdish
is frustrated and angry. They have been
married for nearly 8 years and have no
children and the pressure and shame that
this brings is clearly a burden for them both.
8
10. A year after his father died of COVID-19,
Putu still regrets that he was unable
to perform the traditional Balinese
funeral ritual called Ngaben. Hindus
believe that a properly done cremation
is important in helping release the soul
of a dead person so they can enter the
upper realms to be reborn or released
from the cycle of rebirth. Ngaben is an
elaborate, often costly ceremony and the
social distancing restrictions during the
pandemic meant that funeral ceremonies
were either simplified or, in the case
of those who died of COVID-19, not
permitted.
The local priest has encouraged Putu
that it is the good deeds done by a
person while they live that allow the
soul to be at peace after death. But Putu
feels guilty that he was not able to do
everything possible to ease his father’s
journey into the afterlife.
Hindus in Bali
DAY 3
Bali is a province in the Republic of
Indonesia. The people of Bali are 87%
Hindu, but it is a form of Hinduism
that has absorbed elements of other
religions such as animism, Buddhism
and the dominant religion of the
Indonesian archipelago, Islam. 86% of
Indonesia is Muslim, making the Balinese
Hindus a small minority of 1.7%. The
government in Indonesia restricts
religious observances to a degree and
citizenship requires belonging to an
officially recognised religion which must
be monotheistic. Balinese Hindus have
adapted the form of their religion to
meet this requirement, identifying Ida
Sanghyang Widhi Wasa, as the “Divine
ruler of the universe”, the “Supreme
god” of which all other gods are
manifestations of.
HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Many Balinese rely on tourism
for their living, and so they
lost their incomes during the
pandemic. Pray for the recovery
of the Balinese economically,
emotionally and spiritually.
(James 5:16)
Pray for Balinese Hindus to
learn of the gift of salvation that
is given by grace. (Ephesians
2:8-9)
Pray for them to have the
opportunity to understand the
“true God and eternal life.” (1
John 5:20)
9
11. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for Hindu families to look
to the One who blesses them
with children and trust Him.
(Psalm 127:3-5)
Pray for families like this one to
find hope and peace in Jesus. (1
John 5:13-14)
Pray that families will embrace
the value God puts on every
individual and celebrate one
another. (Luke 12:7)
We were newly married ourselves, and
living in India, when our neighbour’s son
got married. The whole village came out
for the wedding celebrations. The women
travelled separately from the men and
met up again when the procession
began. It started at sundown with a
parade through the streets to the bride’s
home. There was loud music, dancing,
food, and people everywhere! The actual
marriage ceremony didn’t take place until
nearly midnight and the party went on
until early the next morning.
The couple hadn’t been married very
long, when the husband’s family knocked
at our door, asking if we could interpret
a doctor’s report. They wanted to know
what was wrong with the new bride, and
why she wasn’t yet pregnant. We were
gladly able to tell them that it looked like
nothing was wrong and that they just
needed to wait. The pressure on the new
Marriage and Babies
DAY 4
bride to produce children was intense,
living with her husband’s family, in a
constant state of shame and dishonor
until she conceived a child.
In Hinduism, children are extremely
important. Infants are loved and
indulged, with male children being of
particular importance to keep the family
name and maintain the ancestral line.
10
12. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
The COVID-19 pandemic
has been a terrible ordeal in
India, but pray that good will
come, such as a change in the
expectations for overwork. (2
Corinthians 1:3-4)
Pray for fathers in India to be
a blessing to their children,
a reflection of God’s love.
(Matthew 7:9-11)
Pray for Hindus in India to hear
the word of the Father and
follow Him. (John 14:23)
Whenever Vikas talks about his four-
year-old son his face lights up and he
talks with pride at how well he is doing
in his online pre-school classes. He will
also take any opportunity to tell you how
well he can ride his bike or how confident
he is when talking on the phone to his
relatives who recently moved to America.
However, Vikas is hardly ever there to
see any of this take place, as he is always
in the office. Like so many Indian men,
Vikas finds much of his life’s purpose
and identity in his work, and he must
work long hours to please his boss. He
leaves early for work to beat the traffic
and stays late to make calls to clients
in Europe. Saturdays are just another
workday with no time for family. For
many Indian bosses, the measure of an
employee is not how well they work or
how smart they work, but how long they
work.
Too Busy?
DAY 5
Vikas recently caught COVID-19 and
was fortunate to not be too severely ill,
although he was tired and weak for a
long time. When he fell ill, he was able to
go with his family to their home village to
rest and recover. This was the first time in
more than 7 years Vikas had more than
a long weekend with his family without
needing to be in the office.
Vikas’s story is typical of many fathers
in India. This absence impacts the way
children are raised, the way marriages
are built, and how families can operate.
For many, a father is distant, distracted
and out of reach, which makes it hard to
understand God as a loving Father.
11
13. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for Hindu families in
Canada grieving the loss of
loved ones from the COVID-19
pandemic. (2 Corinthians 1:3-6)
Pray for Hindu immigrant
communities as they recreate
their lives in Canada. Pray
they will find friends among
Canadian Christians who
will support and help them.
(Matthew 22:37-39)
Pray for Christians in Canada to
be the love of Christ to Hindus
in their communities and so
encourage them to find Christ.
(John 3:16)
Bhavna kept scrolling through online
news about the COVID-19 pandemic
devastating India. Too many friends from
her hometown of New Delhi were ill or
had lost family members to the virus.
Bhavna had viewed her grandmother’s
funeral via Zoom from Toronto, where she
immigrated with her family as a teenager.
Toronto was still in lockdown, but she felt
safe by comparison - almost guilty for
how safe. Waves of grief washed over
her as she thought of her grandmother,
and fear for how many more would be
affected by the virus raging through India.
And what of her community here? Some
of Bhavna’s friends at the temple were
concerned that the news about Indian
variations of the virus would cause other
Canadians to be fearful of them. It was
hard enough, adjusting to Canadian
life without additional reasons for
discrimination.
Hindus in Canada
DAY 6
Hindus make up 1.5% of the population
in Canada with just under half a million
adherents. Most Hindus in Canada are
immigrants from South Asia, and the
vast majority of them live in the province
of Ontario. Toronto is a diverse city,
with immigrant populations from many
religious and cultural backgrounds, all
trying to both adapt to Canadian life and
maintain their own identity.
12
14. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for children who have
suffered the loss of family
members and found themselves
as orphans. Pray that they will
be provided for. (Psalm 82:3-4)
Pray for people in places of
power in government agencies
to have compassion for the
orphaned children of India.
(Isaiah 1:17)
Pray for miraculous strength for
those who are responding with
limited resources to the surge
of orphans who have emerged
from the pandemic. (Ephesians
3:20-21)
Praveen’s parents had just returned to
the village from the big city where they
had gone to watch some politicians
speak. When they returned home, they
had bad coughs and fevers. Soon, many
in the village had the same symptoms
and within a month so many had gotten
sick that the small clinic could not
manage the cases. Praveen’s family were
among those who passed away that
month, and as he watched the funeral
pyres burn, he knew that he would have
to make it on his own.
So much of India has been deeply
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- families have been ripped apart and
deep loss has ravaged the country. Many
children find themselves orphaned and
homeless, when extended families are
unable to care for them. According to
UNICEF, India has 29.6 million orphaned
and abandoned children. The pandemic
Orphans in India
DAY 7
only heightened the lack of resources in
the government systems that are unable
to cope. Many children become victims of
trafficking and abuse or end up begging
on the street to survive.
The law in India used to restrict adoption
to Hindus only. In 2014, the Supreme
Court in India ruled that persons of
any religion could adopt, but different
religious laws and traditions continue to
make adoption unpopular, and it remains
uncommon among Indian families.
Over and over in the scriptures God
calls his people to remember the alien,
the orphan, and the widow. Partnering
with God is a call to hear the cry of the
marginalized and the oppressed.
13
15. Laxmi’s family had just moved into their
new house in Guyana. Her husband and
children cleared the furniture to make a
space for the guests who would attend a
ceremony called “Jhandi” to give thanks for
the new house. Laxmi had been cooking
for days, making the traditional 7 curries.
The Hindu pandit (priest) would come
to pray, chant, and bless the jhandi flags
which would fly outside the house next to
the small statue that represents the god
Shiva. Every day, Laxmi pours water over
the Shiva to honour the god and pray for
continued blessings on her family.
Approximately one quarter of the
population of Guyana is Hindu - the
highest percentage of Hindus in the
Western hemisphere. Hindus arrived in
British-ruled Guyana mostly as indentured
labourers from India in the mid-19th
century. They were the first people to
introduce Hinduism in the Americas.
Hindus in Guyana
DAY 8
Hindu culture in Guyana is similar to other
Hindu communities in the Caribbean, of
which Guyana is often considered a part.
However, British-colonised Guyana had
a more robust missionary presence that
included schools and economic incentives
to convert to Christianity. In neighbouring
Suriname, where the Dutch colonisers did
not make the same attempts to convert
the Indian labourers, the Hindu population
still speak Hindi, having retained their
language for generations.
Despite the loss of their language, Hindus
in Guyana mostly remained devoted to
their religion and as a community have
actively resisted missionary efforts,
although in recent decades the Hindu
population has declined. About 60% of
the population are Christians from a wide
variety of denominations.
HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Guyana has one of the highest
rates of death by suicide in
the world and this particularly
affects the Hindu population.
Pray for them to have hope,
help and improved resources
to address this problem. (Psalm
138:7-8)
Pray for the political and
economic stability in Guyana
and for wise leadership. (1
Timothy 2:1-2)
Pray for the Church in Guyana to
be a genuine light and witness
to their communities.
(Matthew 5:16)
14
16. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for families, government,
and communities to respect
freedom of religion and not
persecute those who wish to
follow Jesus.
(2 Corinthians 13:11)
Ask for God’s comfort and
peace for those who have been
excluded from their families.
(Philippians 4:7)
Pray for Hindus to hear teaching
on the Father Heart of God.
(John 14:9-11)
Preeti’s parents had wanted a son. As
a child, Preeti longed for her father
to take her on his knee and show her
some affection but he never did. She
was expected to help in the house and
pursue the career her mother chose
so she could take care of the family.
Instead, Preeti became a follower of
Jesus in her teens and chose to pursue
Christian training to work in ministry.
Her family were very angry at this and
cut off all contact with her.
At the Christian training centre, Preeti
heard teaching about God’s Father
heart, and how He loves His children
relentlessly. The teacher prayed for Preeti,
telling her, “God just wants you to sit on
his knee and know His love.” Preeti burst
into tears realising God fully understood
her situation. She shared more with the
teacher and they prayed together for
reconciliation with her parents.
Persecution of Hindu
Background Believers
DAY 9
Shortly after this, Preeti’s mother called
her. She was crying and said, “A mother
can never forget her child.” She accepted
Preeti’s decision to follow Jesus and do
His ministry. Preeti married a pastor, and
they continue to serve God in India.
Legally in India there is freedom of
religion, but political and community
culture often results in the persecution
of Hindus who become Jesus followers.
They can be excommunicated from their
family and ostracised from their local
community.
15
17. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Mauritius has been known
as a lawful and democratic
nation, globally respected.
Recent political decisions and
accusations of corruption
around the management
of the COVID-19 pandemic
have caused concern about
Mauritius’ future. Pray for
wise leadership and good
governance. (Daniel 2:20-21)
Pray for Hindus in Mauritius
seeking comfort, protection,
and strength, that they will have
a revelation of God’s loving
protection through Jesus. (Isaiah
49:15-16)
Pray for Christians in Mauritius
to be the “aroma of Christ”
to their Hindu neighbours. (2
Corinthians 2:14-16)
It was the Hindu festival of Navaratri,
a festival dedicated to Maa Durga, the
goddess who represents motherhood,
strength, and protection. Thousands of
Mauritians make pilgrimage to the Ganga
Talao - a sacred lake in the south.
The crowd was enormous, and Ameenah
kept a close eye on her children as they
made their way to place flowers at the
base of the 108-foot-tall statue of Maa
Durga which was built on the banks of
the lake in 2017. Ameenah recalled the
excitement 10 years previously when
a 108-foot-tall statue of the god Shiva
was built at the entrance to the lake. It
was the tallest statue in Mauritius then
and now there were two! The statues
are a source of great pride for the
Hindu community in Mauritius, and a
focal point for celebration and worship.
Everyone looked forward to gathering at
the lake for the festival, and called out
Hindus in Mauritius
DAY 10
to one another, “Jai Mata Di “- a phrase
to bless and praise the mother goddess
and give happiness and strength to those
who are greeted with it.
Indian traders first introduced Hinduism
to Africa in ancient times. Much later,
British colonials brought Indians to Africa
as indentured labourers where many
stayed and formed communities that
grew, mostly in Tanzania, Uganda, and
Kenya. The island nation of Mauritius
is the only nation in Africa with a Hindu
majority. 48% of the population of
Mauritius are Hindus, the third highest
percentage in the world after Nepal
and India. A third of the population is
Christian, mostly Catholic, but with a
diverse population, religious freedom is
allowed.
16
18. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for family elders, that they
would come to know Christ
and therefore influence many
generations of their families. (1
Peter 5:1)
Pray for families struggling to
accept Jesus because of the
influence of their family elders.
(1 Corinthians 2:9)
Pray for multiplication of house
churches within families. (Acts
16:31)
The sun slowly rises to reveal the
snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas.
Priya wakes and calls softly to her
granddaughter. They go together to the
kitchen and begin the preparations.
Each morning they meet here together.
Milk, tea leaves and sugar are added to
the pot. As the tea warms, the aroma of
sweet chai fills the room, and the rest of
the family begins to wake. Priya gathers
the cups, old and chipped, worn from
years of use, holding memories from
mornings past. The tea is served, and
everyone is now present, sitting and
sipping.
Priya lives traditionally, with her
extended family, and has recently heard
the Gospel message and given her life
to Jesus. She now spends these first
moments of the morning sharing with
the rest of her family her newfound
hope. God is using her faith to bring
The Influence of Elders
DAY 11
several generations of her family into the
kingdom, as it is common for three or
four generations of a family to live under
one roof in a joint family system.
In Hindu families, everyone is expected
to show respect for elders, by caring
for and housing older family members.
The elders also carry much influence,
especially when it comes to religion and
ritual, and passing down wisdom to the
younger generation.
17
19. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pakistan is officially an Islamic
state - Hindus and Christians
may convert to Islam, but any
other type of conversion is
rare. Pray for freedom for all
Pakistanis to genuinely explore
other faiths.
Pray for the protection of Hindu
families in Pakistan from the
threat of kidnapping and from
exploitation or discrimination.
(Isaiah 1:17)
Pray for Christians in and
around Hindu communities in
Pakistan to be a faithful and
loving witness. (Matthew 5:16)
When she was younger, Asha would
follow her father to his work in the
mango fields, following behind him with a
small lunch of rice and dal. Now that she
is a teenager, her mother keeps her at
home. She is not allowed to go out alone,
and her parents are watchful. Asha
submits to these restrictions, as she has
heard the stories of women like herself
being kidnapped from their Hindu
communities and married to Muslim
men under the pretense of conversion
to Islam. It is terrifying to think of being
kidnapped, but also worrying to consider
what her future holds as the daughter of
a poor Hindu family.
Hinduism has a long history in Pakistan,
dating back to pre-Islamic rule. The
oldest Hindu text, the Rig Veda, is
believed to have been composed in
the Punjab region around 1500 BCE.
Hindus in Pakistan
DAY 12
Only 2% of Pakistan’s population is
Hindu, about 4.5 million people, mostly
living in the southeastern province of
Sindh. Many of Pakistan’s Hindus are
born into bonded labour. They inherit
the debts of their parents and work their
whole lives for a landlord. For lower-
caste Hindus who face discrimination
in employment and marriage anyway,
conversion to the majority religion can
be appealing. Becoming a Muslim opens
up more opportunities for jobs for the
men, or marriage for the girls. But it
is not always clear when conversion
is voluntary, and young women are
particularly vulnerable to being coerced
or even captured, converted, and
married to a Muslim against their will. It is
estimated that as many as one thousand
young women are forcibly converted
each year in this way.
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20. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for a change in culture that
expects widows to be cared for
as valuable members of their
family and community.
(Psalm 68:5)
Pray that the government will
be more efficient and generous
in supporting and assisting a
dignified lifestyle for widows.
(1 Timothy 5:3)
That the Church will offer more
support to widows. (James 1:27)
Being a Widow in India
DAY 13
Vinita, from Maharashtra, is one of about
40 million widows across India. After her
husband died, she was abused by her
family, who saw her as a burden. Her
husband’s relatives mistreated her and
spent her savings.
A Hindu bride is often expected to live
with her husband’s family. This weakens
her connections with her own family,
so if she is widowed, she can become
desperate if she is without resources.
She may be blamed for her husband’s
death or removed from her home.
Only qualified widows receive a very
small government pension. There are
a few government facilities to support
widows, providing work training and
some medical treatment, but not nearly
enough to serve the nation and most are
poorly equipped.
Orthodox Hinduism denies widows
earthly pleasures and dictates they live
out their days in worship. Although legal,
remarrying is not widely accepted in
many communities. Particularly in rural
areas, widows are not permitted to wear
jewellery or sarees of colour and are
expected to stay away from festivals, so
they do not bring bad luck.
Divya is a blind widow who lives in a
small rural town in South Karnataka.
Her government pension is often late in
coming and the COVID-19 crisis caused
her payment to be delayed for months.
Divya became a Jesus follower some
years ago so her Hindu family abandoned
her and took possession of her house.
But the Church supports her and
another 10 widows in their congregation
with food, shelter, and some medical
expenses.
19
21. HOW CAN WE PRAY?
Pray for the many Hindus in
India who lost family members
in the pandemic and continue to
grieve. (Matthew 5:4)
Pray for families, struggling with
grief, to find comfort and hope
in the gospel. (Revelation 21:4)
Pray for Hindus, thinking of
those who have gone before,
to be inspired by the cloud of
witnesses who draw us to Jesus.
(Hebrews 12:1-2)
Raju’s father died in the COVID-19
pandemic. It was a chaotic time, and Raju
was unable to be with his father when he
died. The lockdown made it impossible to
complete the usual death rituals, making
Raju feel troubled.
The ancient Hindu practice of ancestor
worship happens each year, according
to the lunar calendar, at an event called
“Pitri-Paksha Shradh” (fortnight of the
ancestors). This year it takes place from
September 10-25. During this time,
ancestors are remembered, worshipped
and their blessings are sought. Food
offerings are made, recitations of
scriptures are performed and sometimes
charitable gifts are given in the name
of the one who has died. There are
rituals, known as shraadh, for those who
have died recently, and also for family
members of past generations.
Ancestor Worship
DAY 14
Raju feels that it is essential that he
performs the shraadh properly during
this time, so the soul of his father can
be at peace. Unsettled by his grief and
the circumstances of his father’s death,
Raju is eager to conduct the rituals to
honour his father. Raju hopes that he
will obtain his father’s blessing through
this and support him on his journey in
the afterlife. Then he will also feel more
peace.
The Hindu Vedic scriptures teach that a
person is born with three debts: a debt to
God or the supreme power called ‘Dev-
rin; a debt to the saints called ‘Rishi-rin’;
and a third debt to one’s own parents
and ancestors called ‘Pitri-rin’. This duty
to those who have died connects the
living to the dead and causes them to be
blessed. Hindus feels a strong obligation
to honour their ancestors.
20
22. Rahul encountered Jesus through a
friend who had become a believer.
Curious about the changes he had seen
in his friend, he went with him to a house
where many other young people were
gathered to read the Bible and worship
Jesus, even with songs in Rahul’s own
dialect. Joining in the worship, Rahul
experienced an overwhelming sense of
God’s love, and he committed his life to
Jesus, forever changed.
Soon more young people from his village
came to faith, including Rahul’s sisters.
This movement among the younger
generation came to the attention of the
elders who are concerned about the
loss of traditional beliefs and rituals.
The young believers have no need of
other gods and have lost interest in the
ancient Hindu rituals. But they often
live together with their parents and
Changes and Community
DAY 15
grandparents in family households, in a
tight-knit community, and there is both a
pressure and desire to follow and honour
their elders. Whenever there is a village
ceremony or occasion, it will always have
some form of idol worship included, and
the family and community pressure to
take part is significant.
How can young believers honour their
families and communities and yet remain
faithful to Jesus? Rahul and his sisters
have often prayed for their parents; they
love their families and their community
and earnestly desire that one day their
household will serve Jesus together.
HOW CAN WE PRAY?
As young people give their
lives to the Lord in diverse
places across India, pray
that they will transform their
whole community, across all
generations, to see whole
households worship the true
living God. (Joshua 24:15)
Pray for young Christians from a
Hindu background to be a wise
and loving witness, drawing
others to Jesus by their lives. (1
Timothy 4:12)
Pray for the salvation of whole
households as the message of
the gospel is shared in Hindu
communities. (Acts 16:31-32)
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