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."