November 2023 India Intercessor
Dear Friends,
As I shared with you last month, the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is on Sunday, November 5. To give you an idea of what persecution in India looks like, I want to tell you about Pakiza, a Church Planter in Uttar Pradesh, India.
In September, Pakiza and her brother Baheen were hosting a prayer gathering in the home of another believer, Pervaiz. A group of locals reported them to the police, alleging that they were in violation of their state’s anti-conversion law. Pakiza, Baheen, Pervaiz, and even Pakiza’s one-year-old daughter were arrested and placed in jail.
When I first learned of Pakiza’s situation, Acts 18:9 came to mind: “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.’” Pakiza, along with many of our Church Planters in India, have very good reason to be afraid of sharing the Gospel, and yet they continue their work. They ‘keep on speaking’ knowing that believers just like you are praying for them. Prayer has Kingdom impact, even in the midst of persecution!
Put simply, “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,” (James 5:16). As we recognize the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church this month, please pray for Pakiza, her daughter, Baheen, and Pervaiz as they endure this trial. Pray that God provides for their needs and encourages their hearts, and that they are released from the charges.
I could not be more grateful to have devoted believers like you praying for India every day. Thank you for joining us on this mission!
Together, for India,
Todd VanEk
President & CEO of Mission India
