Twenty radical Hindus from the Bairang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh groups attacked a house church located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka on November 11. They forced their way into the church as the service was starting and attacked the believers, beating up the congregation and the pastor for alleged forced conversions of Hindus to Christianity. They also burned Bibles, shouted obscenities and smashed doors and windows. The injured Pastor Koshy Abraham and members of the congregation were subsequently treated at a private nursing home.
Pastor Koshy has been serving his congregation of about 55 believers for the last five years in a rented building in Kushalnagar in Coorg district. A member of the congregation reported the incident to the local police and police arrived at noon to question people. Church leaders told them about the repeated unprovoked attacks by Hindu militias on the church. Later in the evening, a report was filed and five of the perpetrators were arrested.
Although India is a democracy with religious freedom for its citizens, Christians are often targeted by Hindu extremists. Attacks range from threats and beatings to rape and murder. Churches, shops and Christian homes have been burned down.
The worst persecution of Christians is taking place in the state of Orissa. A large number of Christians keep their faith secret and keep their faith to themselves or attend underground churches due to the serious threats to their safety.
Prayers you can pray at home
"Do not be envious of evildoers; do not envy those who do wrong, for they wither like the grass and dry up like the green plants" (Ps. 37:1-2).
Father God, ruler of heaven and earth, all power and might are in your hands, no one can stand against you. Lord God, we remember your compassion and mercy throughout history. We lay before you the nation of India, where you know that people regularly suffer from religious intolerance, even though there is freedom of religion under the law. We also put before you the church in Karnataka, the IPC Prayer House and Pastor Koshy Abraham. The church was damaged and the believers were injured during the attack. Lord God, heal their wounds and continue to protect them from future unprovoked attacks. Lord, may your light shine into the hearts of the Hindu extremists so that they too may turn to you in faith and repent. Protect all believers from further persecution. We thank you that the culprits were arrested. Bless the church so they can continue to stand firm. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.
Source: CSW
