In 2023, India became the most populous country in the world (switching places with China). Additionally, India maintains the world’s largest democracy[1]. In regards to religion, Hinduism (80%) and Islam (14%) are the primary religions in India with Christianity representing 2% of the population[2]. The nation of India is hostile territory for Christians to openly live out their faith. Anti-conversion laws have been used to persecute churches and Christians in India[3]. Christians have been attacked, arrested; they’ve had their bibles and literature confiscated, and have had churches destroyed[4]. India’s economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, modern industries, and a multitude of services[5]. While about half the workforce is in agriculture, about 2/3 of India’s output is through the services sector[6]. India has many economic issues including poverty, corruption, violence, discrimination against women[7], and human trafficking[8]. Additionally, India is home to around 660,000 internally displaced persons and refugees[9]. Finally, let us lift up the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which has been a significant territory of international dispute and hostility since 1947. Let’s Pray…

-Father, we thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit in India. We pray for an infilling of your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control over India. Let your fruits of the spirit bind the works of the enemy in India and open the eyes of the blind to the very essence of you, our God of truth. We pray for each Christian in India to stand firm and be equipped with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, for their feet to be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, for their shield of faith, their helmet of salvation, and their sword of the spirit being the word of God. Finally, let these believers pray in the Holy Spirit on all occasions. We pray for angelic assignments to protect your saints from persecution in India. Help them to remain strong and courageous in the pursuit of your will for their lives. Help them to spread your gospel through every territory in India and to the ends of the earth.*   

-Father, we lift up the poor in India. We pray that those who are poor in the eyes of this world would be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom that you God promised to those who love you.** Let your goodness and righteousness pour out on the impoverished in India. We pray for the provision of food, water, clothing, shelter, education, bathrooms, and for the renewal of their health. Lord Jesus, help them to know you and we ask that you would meet every need. Thank you Jesus.   

-God we lift up the economy to you, and we pray a blessing over the farming, agriculture, handicrafts, industries, and services. Lord Jesus, we pray for you to continue to help these economic sectors grow. Help them to know you Jesus, and help them to follow your lead. Jesus, as individuals, communities, and businesses turn to you, we pray for you to pour out so much blessing that there would not be room enough to store it.***  

-God, we pray for women in India. Jesus, we pray that you would shift the mentality of how women are viewed in India. We pray that the Holy Spirit would convict men to embrace women as equals in every area of life in India. We pray for equal pay in the workplace and equal rights in this nation. We pray for an end to gender discrimination in India, and we pray this in the mighty name of Jesus.

-Father, we pray for your angelic support over the crisis of human trafficking in India. Jesus, we pray for the protection of these individuals from the hands of evil. We pray for conviction of the Holy Spirit to press those running this industry to repent or embrace judgment. We pray for an overflowing gift of your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control upon each captive. We pray for freedom, physical healing, and emotional healing for each individual. Help each individual know you Yeshua as Lord and Savior. 

-We pray for all the Hindu and Islamic believers across India, and pray that you God would pour out your spirit on all people, that their sons and daughters would prophecy, that their old men would dream dreams, and their young men would see visions of you Jesus.  Let false religions crumble and let the name of Yeshua be lifted high. Jesus, help each individual in India receive your blood as atonement for their sin, and help them to walk in a personal relationship with you where they seek to love you with all their heart, soul, and strength.****   

-We pray for the internally displaced and refugee population in India and ask for your grace in assimilating to a new home. We pray for strong community support in taking care of this population. We pray that all the needs would be met in these communities. Let your mercy flow over them Yahweh.  

-Father, we lift up every government official and pray that they would revere the son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Help them to know you Jesus. Help them to receive your blood as atonement for their sins. Lead them Jesus to protect your poor and your people in India. Help them to lead this nation. Thank you Jesus.

 -God, we lift up the land of Jammu and Kashmir and pray for your grace and leadership to lead the governments of India, China, and Pakistan. We pray for your guidance Holy Spirit towards peaceful resolutions over and within the land. Holy Spirit, do what only you can do in this land. Thank you God.   

-Finally, we pray against illegal drug production and trafficking in India. We pray for conviction over the guilty and your mercy to lead them to repentance. We pray for healing over drug users through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Image Credit: Nelson Winfred

[1] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[2] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[3] Voice of the Martyrs (Date Accessed October 2020).

[4] Voice of the Martyrs (Date Accessed October 2020).

[5] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[6] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[7] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[8] Patt, Professor Martin, (Date Accessed October 2020).

[9] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed October 2020).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Galatians 5:22-23, (1984); Ephesians 6:14-18, (2011).

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of James 2:5, (2011).

***Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Malachi 3:10 (2011).

****Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Joel 2:28, Deuteronomy 6:5 (2011).