Laughter Yoga

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Maybe you have heard the old saying that laughter is the best medicine. In India, this was taken to heart. More than a decade ago, it was learned that the body does not distinguish between genuine and fake laughter - both produce the same physical benefits. Laughter Yoga was developed around this idea. Now there are more than 6000 social laughter clubs worldwide.

January 9-13th, a Laughter Yoga training will be held in Bangalore to certify instructors for this discipline. Please pray that all those attending would find true joy in a relationship with Jesus. Pray that the physical benefits from uncontrolled laughter would not be a substitute for a living life to the full. Ask God to make them acutely aware of the emptiness in their hearts.

Guru Govind Singh Jayanti



Photo from 4to40 Website

Today Sikhs celebrate the birthday of their tenth and last guru, Govind Singh. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh gurus. It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world, with over 25 million followers. One of their religious beliefs includes not cutting their hair - perhaps you have seen Sikh men and women with turbans on their heads.

Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) in Bangalore will hold large processions and gatherings to mark this special occasion. It is estimated that there are about 35,000 Sikhs in Bangalore. Please pray for the Sikhs in Bangalore today. Ask God to help them understand that Jesus is the only one who can teach them how to know and worship Him. Pray that this year would be a year of spiritual awakening for Sikhs in Bangalore and the world.

Kalal People

Photo from TravelPod blog



The Kalal are traditionally sellers of mutton.They work closely with Muslims in this occupation. The Muslims slaughter the animals, and the Kalal clean and sell the meat. With a background in Islam, this Hindu people group holds a unique place in the community. 

Even though this group no longer holds to Muslim traditions, like circumcision, their background gives them a special relationship with Muslims. This relationship is evident in many areas.  The sharing of food is unique in India.  Most communities will not accept food from those they see as beneath them.  Most communities in Karnataka see the Kalal as beneath them and will not accept food from them, but the Muslim communities of Karnataka will accept food from only this Hindu community. 

Because of this community's unique position in society, they may be a special key to the gospel flowing between the Muslim and Hindu communities.  Pray that the Kalal will embrace the truth of the Gospel and that we will see the gospel spread from Hindu background belivers to Muslims as never before!

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.