One of the things I've been wanting to talk to you all about is the ongoing persecution that is currently taking place in Orissa, India. Last week I was inundated with news stories documenting the horror of what is going on, and sadly, continues.

So, I wanted to ask you to please remember India in your prayers. Please cry out to the Lord on behalf of those who are in danger, who are suffering and who may be struggling with loss of hope or anger because of the injustices that are taking place there right now.

Here is a snip from this article:

Sister Antolina Martinez de Maranon of the Daughters of Charity, who works in Bombay with leprosy, tuberculosis and AIDS patients, said in her letter that the violence began in Orissa, “but has now spread to many more states, even to the state we call the Rome of India, Bangalore, where our provincial house is located.”

“Many churches have been profaned there, Masses have even been disrupted, priests and others have been beaten, many things have been destroyed, and they are sowing panic.”

“Nobody is doing anything to stop the radicals from sowing panic and hatred in the minds of simple people and fear and insecurity in the minds of Christians,” Sister Martinez said.

Please join us in praying for the Lord's peace to come upon the Christians in Orissa and the surrounding states. For God hasn't given His people a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

In another piece from Mission Network News, we see this...

Intense persecution against Christians broke out in Orissa state in late August, destroying 4,500 homes and 150 Christian institutions. It then spread to other states, with new attacks breaking out in Karnataka in mid-September. Dozens of women were sexually abused, and tens of thousands of Christians are in relief camps. Many more are still hiding in forests. At least 60 believers have been martyred.

"I believe the persecution in Orissa is not the end but the beginning of concerted attacks on the Church among the oppressed in India," stated the leader of Operation Mobilization in India. "We covet your prayers at this time."

Please pray and let your friends, churches and anyone who has a heart for the body of Christ. You will never know the difference those few moments will make for the Christians there!