Jun 20: India, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam
India
Republic of India
Asia
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Geography
Area: 3,166,000 sq kmA further 121,000 sq km of Kashmir, a contested area, is administered by Pakistan and China. Geographically and politically, India dominates South Asia and the Indian Ocean. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories.
Population: 1,214,464,312 Annual Growth: 1.44%
Capital: Delhi
Urbanites: 30.1%
HDI Rank: 134 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 2,533 (88% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Constitutionally there are 22 official languages. The official language is Hindi (spoken by 40% of the population). English is a subsidiary official language Languages: 456 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Hinduism| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 71,011,000 | 5.84 | 3.7 |
| Evangelicals | 26,290,283 | 2.2 | 3.9 |
| Hinduism | 902,711,323 | 74.33 |
Challenge for Prayer
Hinduism is the world’s third-largest religious system. Hinduism, most broadly understood, is a civilizational dynamic incorporating every aspect of life, embracing those who live in or identify with India and its culture. As a religion, it is a pluralistic network of religious beliefs and systems ranging from the philosophical (self-realization), to Vedic-influenced rituals, to popular expression (idols), to village Hinduism (animism, occultism). It absorbs elements of any religion it encounters and is widely regarded as an inclusive religion, one of tolerance and peace. Its global influence is significant through movements such as yoga, Hare Krishna/ISKCON, New Age, Art of Living and others. Many concepts of Hinduism have become part of 21st Century postmodern culture – yoga, gurus, karma, dharma, reincarnation and transcendental meditation. How can we pray?a) Hinduism has strong cultural appeal, yet in their search for fulfilment and purpose, Hindus still long for true communion with the Creator. Pray that Christians (considered as “Western”) may demonstrate, in authentic Indian cultural expressions, true spirituality and the transformation Christ brings.
b) The Hindu caste system remains a major issue. It has been only partly addressed through constitutional equality, the legal ban on discrimination and affirmative action favouring the underprivileged in education and government jobs. The rising demands by Dalits for their constitutional rights and for a share in the land and wealth of the country, and by tribals for protection of their ancestral lands and ways, are often met by obstruction, intimidation and repression. Pray that:
i The government may wisely handle the realities of casteism and the impoverishment of a large percentage of the population. This includes dealing firmly with violence against Dalit and tribal communities and applying affirmative action to all Dalits, irrespective of their religion.
ii The Christian response may be both biblical and Christlike, ministering to all oppressed people while rooting out casteism within its own ranks. About 80% of all Christians are of Dalit or tribal communities, and the average Hindu associates Christianity with the underclasses of their society.
iii The churches. Pray that in their outreach they may be sensitive to the caste networks and facilitate people movements to Christ, and that in their fellowship they may work toward elimination of the dividing walls of society. Many churches are themselves guilty of caste-based discrimination.
c) Hindutva extremism casts a baleful shadow over India. Militant Hindus of the RSS, Bajrang Dal, Durga Bahini, Shiv Sena, VHP and Sangh Parivar have infiltrated their members into every influential part of society, gaining a notable measure of political power and patronage. They are attempting to promote revisionist histories, to institutionalize discrimination against religious and ethnic minorities and to control the media. The Hindutva ideology of “India is Hindu only” is used to justify intimidation and violence against Muslims and Christians, stigmatizing them as “foreign” faiths. Pray that:
i Communal violence might end, and its instigators repent and find Christ.
ii Christians and Christian leaders might be united and courageous in the face of widespread and localized persecution. Attacks number over 1,000 a year. They are sporadic and concentrated in BJP-ruled states.
iii The “re-conversion” programme of Hindu extremists might not succeed and that threatened Christians may stand firm in Christ whatever the cost.
iv Christians may show the love and forgiveness of Christ to their persecutors.
For an additional 14 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of India.Arunachal Pradesh
India
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Challenge for Prayer
The unfinished task – Arunachal Christians have the vision that every people in the state are reached. Some prayer targets:a) Buddhist peoples of the west (Monga, Khampti) adjoining Bhutan have little opportunity to hear the gospel. There are few churches and believers; those leaving Tibetan Buddhism usually face rejection and persecution.
b) Animist peoples – the Tagin, Adi Minyong, Miri, Tanu and Galong.
c) Seven regions are less than 0.1% Christian.
For an additional 2 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.Assam
India
See Prayer Information
Challenge for Prayer
The history of violence and conflict is largely due to the co-existence of many different peoples and religions. Continued immigration of Bengali speakers from Bangladesh is a major source of resentment and tension as is the migration of Hindi speakers from elsewhere in India. Ethnic rebels and violent separatist groups still operate, ostensibly to create an independent Assamese homeland. Any Christian witness must be done with sensitivity to this. Inter-ethnic and interdenominational Christian unity would be a powerful witness, but it is rarely displayed.For an additional 3 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
