Christians Murdered in Orissa Violence

[Chad]

It is with tears I must report that the massive attacks against our Christian brothers and sisters in Orissa have become even more vicious over the past three days.
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At least six members of our GFA-related churches have been killed, 15 of our church buildings have been destroyed, more than 100 believers' homes have been burned down and dozens of pastors and their families have been attacked. Please read the latest update about this situation, and please continue to pray. Orissa Update - Gospel for Asia
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While these events are disheartening to us, we know that God is on His throne, and He has not forgotten the people of Orissa. So please continue to lift them up in your prayers.
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Yours for the lost of Asia,
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K.P. Yohannan
President & Founder

 

[Br. Bear]

*** Voice Of The Martyrs Prayer Alert 10/9/08 ***


INDIA: Attacks and 'Reconversions' Continue in Orissa

The spate of anti-Christian violence that began following the killing of a Hindu leader on 23 August in Orissa's Kandhamal district continued yesterday, despite a stream of meetings by Christian and rights groups with high government officials.

According to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), more than 20 houses belonging to Christians from the Orissa Follow-Up ministry (OFU) in Khajuripada village in Kandhamal were set on fire last night. The Rev. Dr. D.B. Hrudaya of the OFU told EFI that the whereabouts of the 20 families whose houses were destroyed were unknown and that he was "deeply concerned."

Earlier in the day, around 70 families in four villages - Bogapada, Boriguda, Kuttiguda and Danniguda - in Kandhamal were forcibly 'reconverted' to Hinduism by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) extremists.

On Sunday (7 September), a mob of around 2,000 people attacked a church during the morning worship service in Bhudainjal village in another district, Kalahandi, reported EFI. While the church members were able to flee, the attackers caught hold of two church workers and assaulted them.

"When the three-month pregnant wife of one of the men tried to rescue her husband, one person in the mob kicked her in the stomach," EFI reported. "She was admitted to the Kathiguda Government Hospital."

In the afternoon, the mob burned a day care centre in nearby Bamnichatra village. The crowd also stole items worth around 10,000 rupees ($280 AUD) from the centre before setting it on fire.

There were also reports of Hindu extremists poisoning the water at relief camps in Kandhamal.

"An attempt to poison the drinking water source of the relief camp in Habaq High School in G. Udayagiri village, Kandhamal was foiled by an alert security guard at 9 pm on 2 September," EFI said in a statement.

The water of another relief camp in Vijay High School in Raikia, Kandhamal was reportedly poisoned last Wednesday (3 September). Six Christians fell ill from the toxicity and were taken to hospitals, according to EFI.

The violence in Orissa began following the killing of a VHP leader, Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four of his disciples on 23 August in his ashram (religious centre) in the Jalespeta area of Kandhamal district. A Maoist group claimed responsibility for the killings, but the VHP continues to blame Christians.

The Global Council of India Christians has recorded at least 56 deaths thus far, and the rights group believes the toll could cross 100. Hundreds of houses and churches have also been burned or destroyed in the violence, forcing thousands to hide in jungles or take shelter in relief camps set up by the state government.


Orissa is ruled by a coalition of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and the Biju Janata Dal party.

Christians make up 2.4 percent of Orissa's population, or 897,861 of the total 36.7 million people.

Compass Direct

Please pray the Lord will intervene, may he bring peace.

Pray for those who have been forced to 'reconvert'.

Pray those who are missing will be found.

Pray the Lord will frustrate the plans of the wicked.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it Isaiah 55:11


"Yet this past year, we have seen more people place their faith in Jesus Christ in Orissa than in any other Indian state," Dr. Yohannan noted. "So it is no surprise that opposition is increasing."
Gospel For Asia

Praise the Lord that despite all the affliction and suffering His word is being accomplished and souls are being saved. May the Lord bless and strengthen His suffering saints as they seek so courageously to further the kingdom of the Lord.

 

[abigya]

INDIA – UPDATE – Attacks on Christians Continue in Orissa State

Hindu extremists have continued to attack Christians in Orissa state, accusing them of murdering Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati even though Maoists have claimed responsibility. VOM sources report at least 36 people (many of them Christians) have been killed, hundreds of homes and churches have been destroyed and thousands of Christians are reportedly hiding in the jungle. Thousands of other Christians have fled to state-government relief centers. There are reports of Hindus raiding these centers and Christian villages, threatening Christians with violence if they do not convert to Hinduism.

On September 1, a church and 82 houses were burned in Mandasara, Kandhamal district, and two Christians were killed. The Orissa Missionary Movement Church in Jeypore, Koraput district, was also burned down and a Blessing Youth Mission pastor was beaten up and his bike burned. Continue to uphold believers in Orissa state in prayer. Pray that in their suffering, they will draw closer to the Lord, trusting Him to meet their needs. Pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones.

 

[ushalk]

Jesus stated that those that live in the darkness will hate the light. as we can see the words of our Lord hold great wisdom. our brothers and sisters need strength and the Body of Christ from around the world.

but Christians all around the world, including the usa need to be strengthened for these things. it is coming and the days are approaching rapidly that the persecution of Christians around the world is going to become more of a sport.

let us pray for the brothers and sisters that are going through it now and for the brothers and sisters around the world. we all need strength and faith to go through such horrible things.

 

[TheWidowsOffering]

take heart

The Bible declares that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted as Paul related in Timothy his sufferings, persecutions and all kinds of things happened to him in His missionary work He further encouraged us to continue in what we have learned and have become convinced of.. II Timothy 3:10-15

The Lord Jesus Himself told in His word that in this world we will have trouble and yet exhorted us to take heart he had overcome the world. (John 16:33) and the gates of hell can never prevail against the true church of God.(Matthew 16:18)

Lord Jesus we pray for the believers around the world who are being persecuted because of the Gospel and their faith in you. We pray help them to continue in what they have learned and have become convince of, on how from infancy they have known the holy Scriptures, enabling them to be wise and be saved through faith in Christ Jesus. We also pray continue to cheer them up Lord and let them overcomers of this world as you have overcome and we pray let not the gates of hell prevail against their lives and families, their churches and belongings Lord. Strengthen their faith as you have done to your great apostles who have experienced extreme persecutions just for the sake of the Gospel. Comfort them Oh God by the power of your Holy Spirit. We don't know all their needs but we pray meet every single need Lord in Jesus name.

Thank you for Your word declares that the prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16b). Not that we have our own righteousness but we claim Jesus our own righteousness. Thank you Lord for answering all our prayers in Jesus name we pray.Amen

 

[ronaldo]

i was going to post this same thing but u did thx

 

[vinayjacobjohn]

Jesus is interceding for orissa!!!!!!!!

Hi chad,

jesus is on jesus throne on the right hand side of the holy father for his people in orissa!!!!!


I am from india too!!!!like paul said "remember those who are afflicted and in bonds"

i am praying in tongues in the holy spirit!!!!!


I love you all in jesus christ and those who are persecuted for the name of jesus christ!!!!!

Vinay the evangelist