They hate you because of me - This past week I've seen several news items detailing the growing persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ living in India.
Yesterday James Varghese reported for ASSIST News Service on a pastor who was attacked during a service on Sunday.
Indian Pastor Attacked by ‘Monkey Brigade’ during Sunday service in Chhattisgarh.
Pastor Pradyuman Meshram (35) was conducting his morning service last Sunday at Sanjay Nagar in Kanker Dist, about 140 km from Raipur, the state capital, when suddenly the service was disturbed by about 20 Bajrangis, also known as the “Monkey Brigade.” They were joined by about 20 or 30 local residents, who started yelling at the pastor to come outside. Even though many believers told them that the service was going on they refused to listen.
Then, to the horror of the congregation, they barged into the room and started savagely beating up the pastor, causing him severe injuries. Some of the women present managed to rescue the pastor from the attackers, and drive them outside and shut the church door.
Not content with the harm they already did, the attackers turned to the vehicles of the church members and began to destroy them. Police were called and the attackers were taken to the police station.
Varghese goes onto report:
A large group of belligerent men then gathered outside the police station and started pressurizing the police, alleging that the Christians were engaged in conversion and also that they were conducting “noisy meetings.” This went on for about 10 hours, until 9:30 pm. Finally the police admitted a First Information Report (FIR) by the pastor and the church into their records.
Pray for the Pastor and his wife Savitri (33) and their two children, 7 and 4 years old, and for the Christian community in that community that they may have wisdom as they deal with this situation and for peace to prevail.
In another news item, The Christian Post reports on a rally held to bring light upon the rising persecution of Christian believers in India.
Hundreds in India Rally Against Anti-Christian Attacks.
Let's remember our fellow Christians and hold them up to Jesus for His peace and protection.
Pray to for those that persecute, that they may hunger and thirst for the righteousness and Word of Jesus in their lives.
The Great Separation continues.
