A Desperate Escape

Bangalore, like other cities around the world, is no stranger to problems. During this financial crisis, many families find themselves in insurmountable debt. Individuals find themselves in relationships which are not approved by their families. Regardless of the trials, there has been a growing number of Bangaloreans who are turning to suicide as their out. In a recent newspaper article, Bangalore police records show that through September of 2011 there have been 1,253 suicides in the city this year. This means an average of 139 cases per month.

Photo by Nishant Ratnakar

John 10:10 (NLT)

"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

Pray for all of those struggling in Bangalore. Ask that the enemy would not deceive them and cause them to see suicide as a solution to their problems. Pray that God would intervene, and they would meet the Good Shepherd who laid down his life so they might live.

Bhai Dooj

As the festivities of Diwali come to a close, sisters all over Bangalore are preparing for Bhai Dooj, a Hindu festival to celebrate the special relationship between brothers and sisters.

Sisters demonstrate their love for their brothers through a religious ceremony representing their prayers. This is done by showing him a holy flame and placing a vermilion mark on their brothers’ foreheads. Sisters are lavished with gifts and blessings from their brothers. In modern cities like Bangalore, sisters who cannot place a tikka (the vermilion mark) on their brothers can send a virtual tikka through e-cards!

Photo from Rising Son of Nihon website

On October 28th, please pray that God would use the special family relationships between brothers and sisters to draw entire families to Christ. Pray as the tikkas are place on brothers’ foreheads today that they will realize only Jesus can protect and bless them. As Hindu women turn to Jesus, pray that God would use their brothers to encourage them and protect them from persecution.

Diwali: Festival of Lights

Picture from News4U Blog

Diwali is celebrated throughout India with great enthusiasm - it rivals the revelry of Christmas and New Year's Eve in the West. Followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism observe various customs related to Diwali (a.k.a. Deepawali) in India.

The word “Diwali” is the abbreviation of the word “Deepavali,” which means “rows of lights.”  Diwali is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.

People of all ages and backgrounds dress up in new clothes on this day and illuminate their home with diyas (clay lamps). The Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped on Diwali. Fireworks can be heard all night long as the festive mood extends for days.

On October 26th, please pray for Bangaloreans as they celebrate Divali with friends and family members. Ask God to open their eyes to the spiritual darkness in which they live. Ask God to reveal the "light of the world" to them as the only means of victory over darkness and the only way to righteousness.