Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve celebrations in Bangalore differ greatly depending on the people. The young middle and upper class may spend the evening in the city center at the street parties on Brigade and MG Road. The police have granted special permission for celebrations to last until 1am.

Photo from Boston.com Website

Some Hindus will hold special pujas to bring a fruitful year. Christians often hold all night prayer services, and Muslims generally do not observe or celebrate this holiday at all.

Regardless of how one spends this night, it brings us one year closer to the return of Jesus. Pray that 2012 would be a year of spiritual awakening in Bangalore. Ask God to pour out His Spirit on the many peoples, tongues and tribes living here and open their hearts to the Gospel. Pray that this would be the year of salvation for countless Bangaloreans.

Diabetes

Photo from Aarogya website

In November 2011, Bangalore set a world record in the number of people who had their blood sugar levels tested as part of a diabetes awareness campaign. Unfortunately half of those tested showed high blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is very common among Bangaloreans, especially after age 45. This is mostly due to diet and a sedimentary lifestyle. The typical diet is rich in oil, rice and flatbreads. Tea with milk and sugar is served a few times each day. All of this adds to a growing health problem for Bangaloreans.

Pray that God would use this disease to make Bangaloreans mindful of their humanity. Pray that Christian doctors would take every opportunity to share the Gospel with their patients. Ask God to help Bangaloreans to trade their love of bread and rice for a desire for the Bread of Life who will bring deep soul satisfaction.

What Flavor Are You

Photo: IndianPublicHolidays.com

"Christian" is a term that has a variety of meanings in Bangalore. It is not uncommon to meet a young person who says he is a Christian only to learn that his relationship with Jesus began forty-five years ago when his grandfather converted to Christianity. Please pray for the many cultural Christians today who are identified with our faith through census information and by others but who have no real understanding of salvation through Jesus. Ask God to speak to them and draw them personally into a relationship with Him.

Still there are other "Christians" whose worship is very similar to the religions around them. They have replaced their idols with statues of Mary and baby Jesus. These Christians are who the lost typically associate with Christianity. Please ask God to use His word to speak to the hearts of all who read it. Pray that those who identify themselves as Christians who not believe the words of man but would search the Scriptures for truth and align their lives and beliefs with it.

Then there others who have given up everything to follow Jesus. Their faith has cost them their families, their jobs and even their status in society. Ask God to encourage and strenthen them. Pray that they would have favor with outsiders and that God would meet all their needs according to His riches.

Praise God for the many in Bangalore who are known as Christians. Pray that each one would be a true ambassodor of Christ. Ask God to purify His church and help us to be clear testimonies of His plan for all people.

Child Beggars



Picture from TheHindu website

Just last week more than 200 children were rescued from handlers who had forced them into begging. Some were from other states, but others were left with handlers by parents who worked and picked them up in the evenings. Most of the parents were unaware of what the children were being forced to do each day. Many of the children were given cough syrup or other medicines to sedate them. Fortunately none of the children were disfigured in any way by their handlers.

Sadly these children are only a small portion of those forced into begging in Bangalore. Many poor parents will even encourage their children to beg. Others are taken in by handlers and cannot escape. Please pray that police would continue to free children who are unwillingly made to beg. Pray that those freed would be returned to loving homes or placed in safe places. Currently begging is more profitable than other low paying jobs. Please pray that God would begin to draw beggars into His family, and they would begin to work for His kingdom.

Anti-Corruption Rally

This year Anna Hazare, an anti-corruption activist, has gained much fame and popularity as he has held rallies and fasts in protest of corruption in the Indian government.

Picture from TheHindu website

Currently Kanataka's governmental anti-corruption organization is without a leader. The state government and governor cannot agree who to appoint to this important position, one historically responsible for exposing many corrupt dealings in the state.

On December 17, 2011, Anna Hazare will be visiting Bangalore and speaking at a rally held at Freedom Park in the city center. Please pray that those involved in the rally will, like Hazare, be non-violent. Ask God to use this desire to see corruption cleaned out of the political sphere to convict individuals of sin or corruption in their own hearts. Pray that God would begin moving among political leaders in Bangalore and bringing them into His Kingdom.

Jains in Bangalore

Photo from TheHindu website

Last month, renovation of the Adniath temple in the Chickpet area of Bangalore began. For nine decades the temple was made of carved wood, but recently white marble was used to update this temple which houses many idols. This temple is utilized by the Shwethambara sect - one of the two main Jain sects. Jains make up about one percent of the population of Bangalore.


Many of us take for granted how much Christianity influences our culture and worldview. Simple things like being able to enjoy eating fruits or vegetables without guilt are foreign to Jains. Jainism is an ancient religion known since early recorded times as an independent faith and philosophy, although it has a degree of overlap with Buddhism and Hinduism.

A key element of Jain teachings is the commitment to nonviolence. This stems from the belief that every living thing has a soul. Therefore, some Jain monks abstain from eating not just meat, but also root vegetables. Many fret and worry about even stepping on an insect.

Pray that God would open their hearts to understand that there is a Ceator who made everything in this world and wants them to enjoy it and Him. Pray that the Jains would stop turning to false gods and horoscopes for answers and give their hearts to Jesus. Ask God to give them courageous hearts willing to fight and die so others can be saved.

Malleshwaram

Named after the Kadu Malleshwara Temple in the old Mallapura village, Malleshwaram is in the northwest of Bangalore. This is one of the oldest areas in Bangalore and most of the residents are descended from original inhabitants of the city. Malleshwaram is home to a large orthodox Hindu population. Electorally, Malleswaram is largely regarded as a center for Brahmins, a community which forms a sizeable and influential majority.

It is full of Hindu temples and is also a hotspot of educational activity with numerous schools and colleges. One of the city’s largest and more modern malls is located in this part of town – it boasts the country’s only Taco Bell. The Chowdiah Memorial Hall, named after the violin maestro Tirumakudalu Chowdiah, is one of the most prominent landmarks of Malleshwaram. It is designed in the shape of a violin and is a hub of arts and culture.

Psalm 115: 1-8 (NLT)

Picture from Shri Chirtrapur Math website

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness. Why let the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear,
and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.”

Please ask God to make Himself known to those living in Malleshwaram.

Bangalore Habba

Each year the Artists Foundation for the Arts, holds a huge art festival with events at several venues throughout the city and even the state. The main purpose of the festival is to create awareness about different art forms. This year nearly 3000 artists from Karnataka and other parts of India will participate in the Bangalore Habba. Please be in prayer for these cultural activities taking place December 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012.

Photo from MetBlogs

Father, we pray for the many different artists who will be performing and exhibiting their work throughout the next two months. God we ask that you would use the beauty of their work to turn peoples' thoughts to You. As the best craftsmen were brought in to create pieces for the temple, we ask that one day many of these artists would use their talents to bring You glory here. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

Gita Jayanti

Gita Jayanti is dedicated to the birth of Srimad Bhagvad Gita, the holy book of Hindus. In the Gita, the lessons of Lord Krishna to Arjuna are recorded. According to the Hindu beliefs, the Gita provides solutions for every problem that a man faces in his life. Hindus also feel the Gita teaches them the way to reconnect with God and lead a life of fulfillment and sacredness.

This festival is celebrated with great reverence and enthusiasm by Hindus in India and across the world. All 700 cantos of the Gita are chanted during the day. Devotees fast on this auspicious occasion. Cultural events are organized across the country where sages and devotees deliver religious speeches.

Picture from TribuneIndia website

John 5: 39-40 states, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life." Ask God to draw Hindus to look for answers to life's problems in the Bible. Pray that they would eagerly accept eternal life through Jesus alone.

Ashura

After the Prophet Mohammad's death, there was a disagreement in the Muslim community about who was to succeed him in leadership of the Muslim nation. This was the beginning of the historical split between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Mohammad's grandson, Hussein, was brutally murdered during a battle against the ruling Caliph in 680 A.D. on the day known as Ashura. Now Shia Muslims observe this day in mourning for Hussein and in remembrance of his martyrdom. On Ashura, some Shia Muslims beat and flog themselves in parades to express their grief and to reenact the pain that Hussein suffered.

Father, we pray specifically for Shia Muslims today. God protect them as the needlessly beat themselves to show thier grief and empathize with Hussein's pain. Even as their backs are beaten and begin to bleed bring to mind images of Jesus as He was being tortured before his crucifixion. In the midst of their agony, please show them the way to eternal life. In Jesus name, we ask. Amen.

Prepraing a Home for Them

Social services are widespread in India. Some are provided by the government and some through private NGOs. In one area of Bangalore, the government has been building homes for poor people. Within this community is a group of believers. Originally they were included as recipients of this charity, but quickly that changed.

Photo by K. Gopinathan in The Hindu online paper

After many discussions with leaders, the believers learned they would only be given homes if they agreed to stop going to church and stop sharing their faith with others. Praise God for this group of believers who values their relationship with Jesus more than a new home. Pray that this will provide opportunities to share with leaders and neighbors alike. Ask God to strengthen their faith and help them not to waiver in this decision.

Pray that Jesus' promises in John 14: 1-3 (NIV) will be constantly in their minds and hearts. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."