a call to prayer - worldhorizonsusa.org · 30 days of prayer “arise, my darling, my beautiful...
TRANSCRIPT
A Call to PrayerUnengaged Unreached Muslim Peoples of North India
یسوع مسیح
30 Days of Prayer“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig-tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread
their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” Song of Songs 2:10-13
God is doing a new thing in Northern India. For a number of years we have been speaking of the hidden bride – the 100’s thousands of unengaged, unreached, Muslim people groups.
Now we sense that it is time to mobilise some intense prayer and intercession as the North Indian Bride begins to make herself ready. In this so called desert we want to call out the flowers, hear the new song and feel the wind of the Holy Spirit blow. We want to see fruit
in terms of new workers sent and new expressions of Christ started.
We are launching a 30 day period of prayer and fasting for North India starting Easter Sunday 31st March. Feel free to pray on the ground with us and think about mobilising
prayer within your church wherever you are during this period.
Introduction:
Haggai, “the Lord’s messenger,” encouraged the people: “Give careful thought… You have planted much but have harvested li?le…” The phrase “give careful thought” is repeated five Bmes in Haggai… The country of India is menBoned in Ester 1:1. TradiBon holds the Apostle Thomas brought the Gospel to the subconBnent in the first century. “We have expected much, but…” (Haggai 1:9) we do not yet see the Gospel impact we long for… The Lord is again sBrring the spirit within his people as He did in Haggai’s day (Haggai 1:14). The promise then was the glory of the new Temple would be greater than the former house (Haggai 2:9) Will you join us in expectant prayer He is about to do something new in our days? Habakkuk 1:5 & 3:2 say the Lord will do something new in our days…Amos 3:7 The Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets…Amos 4:13… He reveals His thoughts to man. Habakkuk 2:2 The Lord says write down the revelaBon, it waits for an appointed Bme… though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come.
the heart behind itYou are invited to join the a?ached prayer iniBaBve as a fresh start for India. Workers in the field have an expectancy the Kingdom of God is coming in a powerful new way! (see Luke 10:1 -‐ ) The iniBaBve begins with the new life of the ResurrecBon, but can be prayed at any Bme you can join us. “From this day on I will bless you,” says the Lord (Haggai 2:19)
This guide has a daily devoBonal (some of this is informaBve to try and help us to understand more of the needs amongst these peoples), a daily Bible verse, a different people group focus and some points for prayer. We hope that you may be able to spend some Bme and seek the Lord and ask Him what He wants us to pray for these peoples throughout these 30 days. God said to Ezekiel, 3:20: “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Our iniBal prayer is that the Lord will find people who will stand in the gap on behalf of these people! Please join us and pray for 30 days!
the man of peace
Day 1
Name:
Population: 11,198,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 4,775,000 Bihar: 328,000 Rajasthan: 978,000 Madhya Pradesh: 855,000 Delhi: 238,000
pathan
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 1
Many believed because of the woman; others said we no longer believe just because of her, now we have heard for ourselves. Lydia (Acts 16:13-‐15) is an another example of a woman of peace. Cornelius (Acts 10:22-‐27); the jailer (Acts 16:29-‐34); and Jason (Acts 17:1-‐9) are other examples. Jason is an example of how the “person of peace” can suffer by creaQng an opening for the Gospel. This is why it is essenQal we not only find these people, but also pray God’s hand be on them.
When you enter…first say, “Peace to this house.” (Sallam alaykum)
If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. Lk 10:5,6 Jesus gave the 72 disciples this entry strategy when he sent them ahead of him as “lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:3. The man of peace is a gate keeper for families & the larger community. He may help create favor with authoriQes or create an opening for the hearing of the Gospel – in the places Jesus will come. The Samaritan woman in John 4 was a woman of peace. Most of us are familiar with the conversaQon Jesus had with this woman, but consider Jn 4:39 & 42:
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
About: Often those using the surname Khan are Pathan (or Pashtuns). Rae Barelli, Farraukabad, Sambhal, Rohilkhand, Azamgarh. The Pashtun have played an important role in the history of their region.
Sunni Muslims that are related historically to Pashtos in Pakistan and Afghanistan are mostly Pathans. From their community have come Muslim rulers, administrators, and soldiers. While many have moved out of the highlands in search of an easier life on the plains, their mountainous homeland continues to be their citadel of strength and freedom. Pashtun society is based on extended family.
Islam came to them as a great liberating and unifying force, freeing them from the cult of Brahminism and the harshness of Buddhism. For this reason, their underlying faith and steadfast devotion to Islam are very strong.
-‐ Pray that God will raise many men and women of peace to set the pillars of his Church amongst the UUMPG’s of North India.
ramadan ‘aka Ramazan’
Day 2
Name:
Population: 10,004,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 4,424,000 Bihar: 1,825,000 Uttarakhand: 132,000 Gujarat: 127,000 Delhi: 102,000
ansari momin
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 2
earlier each year. Please pray workers will be able to share God’s idea of an acceptable fast described in Isaiah 58. “Is this the kind of fast I’ve chosen…?” asks the Lord. Is 58: 5
Muslims celebrate the compleQon of the fast with an end-‐fasQng holiday. Many poor North Indian Muslims find the end-‐fasQng holiday more special than Islam’s more significant holiday, known as Baqri Eid or Eid al Adha. That holiday commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son.
The 5 pillars of Islamic faith include: Saying the creed, praying five Qmes a day, giving alms, pilgrimage to Mecca (if you are able) and… Ramadan: a month of fasQng from food & pleasures from sunrise to sunset. Many Muslims exchange eaQng during the day for feasQng at night. Because Muslims are a minority community in North India, the fast is not as strictly enforced as Muslim majority countries. Ramadan is the actual name of a month of the Islamic calendar, which has 10 less days / year than the Western calendar. This means the Ramadan fast begins 10 days
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to
your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Matthew 6:17-18
About: Ansari is Arabic derived from Ansar which has a literal meaning of "those who support". Ansar originates from the Medinan people who assisted the prophet Muhammed as he migrated from Mecca to Medina. These people later became his emissaries and soldiers. Urdu speaking Muslims found in Uttar Pradesh and the Sindh region of Pakistan. Are said to be Sunni but also follow folk Islam. Mainly illiterate and poor. Varanasi District is the centre of their community. They are traditionally weavers and are said to have been converted from hindu weaving castes.
Pray we can explain how God’s intervenQon in the Abraham story of Genesis 22 (and Passover Exodus 12) foreshadows God’s redempQve work on the cross.
moradabad
Day 3
Name:
Population: 76,868,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 10,236,000 Bihar: 9,249,000 Rajasthan: 2,811,000 Madhya Pradesh: 2,094,000
Sheikh
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 3
-‐ With nearly 70% Muslims & 30% Hindus churning centuries of un-‐reconciled strife, city is always moments away from a riot.-‐ This massive urban center is bombarded with poverty, pornography, materialism, and corrupQon grinding on the most vulnerable & creaQng conflict among families.-‐ The influence of both the Sufi & orthodox Muslim theological centers of Bareilly & Deoband: That those seeing dreams of Jesus & miracles would take the next step of faith in Jesus.
This city was established in approx. 1600 by prince Murad, the son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is situated 167 km (104 mi) from the naQonal capital, Delhi, on a tributary of the Ganges River. The city is nicknamed Pital Nagri, ("City of Brass") for its famous brass handicraks industry.
-‐ Pray for the Spirit of God to bring lasQng peace and hope through emerging believers who are courageously searching for people of peace in Muslim neighborhoods & their family networks in Western U.P.-‐ Pray for the exisQng leaders of this work to grow the DNA of generaQonal discipleship. -‐ God is pouring out His Spirit (Joel 2:28) in this city; pray also for fruit that will last. John 15:16.
"Having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue
and people." Revelation 14:6
About: After the advent of Islam in South Asia, some high caste (Brahmins, Muslim Rajputs and Khatris) converted to Islam in the Punjab region and adopted this title. They are known as Punjabi Shaikh (Punjabi). Majority of the Punjabi Shaikhs are urbanized and detached from the traditional agricultural ancestry. However, a few families also cultivate their own land in the western districts of Punjab. The main professions of the urban Punjabi Shaikhs are business and public service, and are stereotyped for their reputation for business acumen.
The Khawaja Shaikh, with their sub-division the Chiniotis and the Qanungoh Shaikh are two such communities. The Shaikh can be broadly grouped into five communities. Three of these communities are the Siddiks, Farukis and Abbasi who are often descendents of Arab immigrants. The other two are the Chistis and Kuraishis communities who tend to be mainly from converts to Islam.
deobandi
Day 4
Name:
Population: 7,092,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 1,557,000 Bihar: 438,000 Rajasthan: 504,000 Gujarat: 256,000
sayyid
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 4
College in Lucknow. The Deobandi movement is known for its harsh stance against many pracQces common in the Indian subconQnent. These include celebraQng the Prophet Mohamed’s birthday, and calling on the prophets and saints for assistance. Tablighi Jamaat, a Muslim reform organizaQon, began as an offshoot of the Deobandi movement. Its incepQon is believed to be a response to Hindu reform movements, which were considered a threat to vulnerable and non-‐pracQcing Muslims.
Deobandi is the name of a city & Sunni (branch) school in North India. It is also the name of a revivalist movement which has spread beyond, but is mostly centered in the region. The movement was inspired by Shah Waliullah (1703–1762); the Darul Uloom Deoband school was begun in 1866.
The school / movement developed as a reacQon to BriQsh colonialism , which was believed by a group of prominent Indian scholars to be corrupQng the Islamic religion. The founders of the Deobandi movement were influenced by the Wahhabi movement.
The school has gradually become the second largest focal point of Islamic teachings and research aker the Al-‐Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Graduates have opened thousands of madrasas (schools) throughout South Asia. An affiliated school is the Nadwa
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32
About: The Sayyid are one of the larger segments of Muslims in India. The word literally means "master"; the closest English equivalent would be "sir" or "lord". Some Muslims use the term sayyid for the descendants of Abu Talib, uncle of Muhammad, tracing back to the Arabs. Sayyid ancestors migrated to India from different parts of Iran. The Sayyid may have an inadequate understanding of who Jesus truly is, the Son of God, deity. Pray the Sayyid community will increasingly hunger to truly know and follow Isa (Jesus) as he is referred to in the Koran.
Pray that followers of Christ will soon emerge from these schools and become well established in the faith, pray that as they study seeking the truth, that they will find the True Gospel and receive revelaQons of Jesus.
aligarh
Day 5
Name:
Population: 1,082,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 815,000 Bihar: 19,000 Rajasthan: 6,000 Madhya Pradesh: 4,900 Haryana: 36,000 Uttarakhand: 28,000 Delhi: 124,000
Qassab
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 5
The book says Aligarh has several Muslim towns in a single city, and is not the “basQon of Muslim separaQsm” many Hindu’s imagine.
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.”
Psalm 46:4
Aligarh is best known for Aligarh Muslim University, which was founded by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan in 1875. It is an English medium school, which includes modern science prominently in its syllabus – contrasted with the syllabus of Deobandi which dates from the middle ages. It was created to help Muslims students find employment in the imperial civil service. Yet, many of Aligarh’s graduates helped create Pakistan as a separate Muslim naQon.
Muslims in Indian CiGes (2012 Harper Collins) cites the city as one of India’s most riot-‐prone. It has a declining lock / hardware industry which idenQfies poorer Muslims from the wealthier, beper educated students, faculty & staff of the university.
The poor area is characterized by a lack of government infrastructure & community development iniQaQves.
About: Traditionally butchers from which they get their name Qassab, which means butcher in Urdu. Their community name Qassab is also an Arabic word which means ‘to cut’. They claim that their origin is from Arabia. They are majority Sunni. Qassab found in Kashmir claim to be converted Brahmins, those found in Uttar Pradesh say they are of Arab descent. Urdu speaking they are found in cities and rural areas.Largest community is in Western Uttar Pradesh. Many of them are now engaged in business or work as daily-wage labours. Both child and adult marriages are in practice.
-‐ Please pray both wealthier educated Muslims & those with limited resources will both recognize Jesus as their Savior.
-‐ Pray the city will recognize & fulfill God’s special purposes as it creates a new idenQty of potenQal for itself.
marriage
Day 6
Name:
Population: 519,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 457,000 Uttarakhand: 13,000 Rajasthan: 32,000 Madhya Pradesh: 8,500 Gujarat: 2,300
bhisti
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 6
Jesus compared himself to a bridegroom coming for His bride, whom He loves. (Is 62:5, Map 25: 1-‐13, Rev: 21: 2)
My married Muslim women friends always ask me if my marriage was an ‘arranged’ marriage or a ‘love’ marriage. I share it was a ‘love’ marriage then ask about theirs. All have been ‘arranged’. India’s government staQsQcs report that 95% of all marriages in India are arranged. Women always discuss which one is beper. Whether their marriage was arranged or not, their deepest longing in marriage is to be valued and esteemed. In most cases this is not true. The challenges for women in India are immense. Women's rights acQvists say that discriminaQon against women here in India begins even before birth.
Pray for married women and their daughters, so they would come to know the True Bridegroom of their lives. The One who loves them, esteems them, and desires to prepare a room for them in our Father’s House. Isaiah 62:5 ‘…as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.’
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He
has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride
adorns herself with her jewels.”Isaiah 61:9-11
About: The term Bhisti is derived from the Persian word Bihisht, meaning paradise, and they were so named on account of the services they rendered to thirsty soldiers. They claim their ancestry from Hazrat Abbas Alamdar, who went to fetch water from a pond in a skin-bag to quench the thirst of the followers of Imam Husain on their way to Damascus. The Bihishti belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. They venerate their village deity, Khera Dev.
statistics
Day 7
Name:
Population: 1,617,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 610,000 Bihar: 23,000 Rajasthan: 126,000 Delhi: 121,000 Uttarakhand: 21,000
moghal
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 7The North Indian state of Upar Pradesh is the most populous state in India. According to the 2011 census, it has a populaQon of over 200 million people.
The populaQon density is 828 people per square km making it one of the densest states in the country. Muslims make up the largest minority group (19%) in the UP. Many workers feel the percentages are much higher.
Literacy and employment are 2 crucial indicators of socio-‐economic well-‐being and they are criQcally low in Muslim communiQes. Here in the UP, as compared to other states in India, they are more deprived socially and economically. As we look at these staQsQcs, we are also reminded this is an Un-‐engaged area of the world-‐meaning very few workers and no known work among many Muslims peoples.
Luke 4:18 says ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the capQves and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.’
-‐ Please pray that Jesus is proclaimed among the millions of Muslims of North India.
"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.
Nothing is too hard for you.”Jeremiah 32:17
About: The Moghal are a well-known Muslim community of North India. According to sources, they were originally from Mongolia and came to India along with the Mughal emperor Babar, the founder of the Mughal empire in India. They are divided into the Shia and Sunni sects of Islam. They adhere to sharia law as regards the rules of marriage, divorce, remarriage, and inheritance of property. They celebrate all Muslim festivals with great enthusiasm and devotion.
distinctives/
Day 8
Name:
Population: 721,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 80,000 Bihar: 486,000 Delhi: 60,000 Gujarat: 4,900 Madhya Pradesh: 1,500
qazi
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 8
Gospel. Yet, through the centuries, the church has not sparked the movement we all long for. What is limiQng our impact? What will facilitate greater indigenous integraQon? An old ChrisQan chorus declares, “They’ll know we are ChrisQans by our love.”
“… the world will know the Father sent Jesus & loves (His disciples).” Jn 17:23 “… they will all know (Jesus), from the least of them to the greatest.” Hb 8:11 Every city or people group is disQnguished by some unique characterisQc(s) or event(s). Lucknow has two famous historical sites: The “Bara Imambara,” is a Shia building complex built in the late 1700’s as a public relief project. The Residency was the site of the baple for independence / “muQny” of 1857. The city is also famous for “chikan,” & “Tunday Kebabi:” Moghul style embroidery and seasoned meat. India boasts a ChrisQan presence since the Apostle Thomas first brought the
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:35
-‐ Please pray the ChrisQans of North India will be known by this characterisQc, “by our love.”
-‐ Pray both naQonal believers & expat workers will be salt & light in the larger community.
-‐ Pray we will maintain the unity Christ has entrusted to his body (Ephesians 4:3) AND be fruivul in inviQng others to Jesus.
About: The Qazi community derive their name from the term qadi which means "judge." They have a tradition of being the religious leaders or imams among the Muslim groups. The majority of the Qazi live in Bihar. The Qazi are skilled in art of Islamic religious rites and tend to perform the traditional ceremonies for the greater Muslim community. They perform the birth, purification, marriage, death and burial rites.
The Qazi are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi tradition. They faithfully follow the Muslim practice of praying five times a day. There is a need for education. There is also a lack of employment among them. The Qazi are a very strategic community to bring to faith in Christ as they would be natural spiritual leaders as followers of Isa. Terrific influence among many Muslim groups could be made if a Qazi man were able to remain in the community and be a Christian Qazi leader. With Christ all things are possible!
honour killing
Day 9
Name:
Population: 2,481,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 1,569,000 Jammu and Kashmir: 205,000 Rajasthan: 114,000 Haryana: 194,000 Uttarakhand:65,000
rajput urdu
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 9
does not want to ‘deal’ with the issue.
The Bible teaches that God’s creaQon brings shame upon Him by disobeying His commands. Society teaches that God is bound by His honour to punish those who brought shame on His good name. Thankfully, Jesus took our shame to the cross while restoring the honour of God.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free”
Luke 4:18
In an honour/shame society how one does something is more important than what one does. There are expectaQons put on each person and they are taught not to quesQon those in authority. When a person does something deemed shameful, it is the duty of that person’s superior to take care of it. Usually the first response is to try to hide the event so no one else finds out what happened. If the event becomes known, excuses come next and then come public humiliaQon.
In the most extreme cases, the one in authority must kill the one who shamed the group. Many Qmes when this extreme event happens, it is seen as the only way that honour can be restored and if it is not done, that family lives with the shame caused by the event. At other Qmes, death comes in the form of suicide; either by the perpetrator or by the one in authority who
About: The Rajput Muslims get there name from the larger Rajput people who are one of the four main Hindu divisions of South Asia peoples. Rajput in Sanskrit means, 'son of a ruler or king'. Rajput Muslims today are primarily an agricultural community. As land has been lost, a growing number have become employed in service and even wage labour jobs. As people of influence and social status, the Rajputs are a key people to reach with the Gospel. As converts to Islam they may be more open than many traditionally Muslim peoples to hear and receive of the love of Christ.
-Please pray God will open their eyes to see the value in these lives.
-Pray they will learn how Jesus has taken all our shame on the Cross.
rural life -‐ problems in coming to faith
Day 10
Name:
Population: 737,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 40,000 Haryana: 34,000 Rajasthan: 552,000 Madhya Pradesh: 104,000
meo
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 10
who comes to faith is rejecQng the family and the community that provided for them all their lives. When a person comes to faith, rejecQon is experienced in different ways. For example, a village believer is oken forced to marry someone from his/her old religion. Or the person is not allowed to use the village well or is refused work. On several specific cases, people who came to faith were refused burial in both the Muslim and the ChrisQan cemeteries. The first because they changed their religion and the second because they were not born in the church.
India is a naQon of villages. Even the ciQes consist of countless small communiQes named aker a popular building, a VIP, or famous religious person. In the state of Upar Pradesh there are over 107,000 villages with populaQons up to 10,000. Hindu temples and various shrines can be found in every village. Likewise, Muslim mosques and Islamic religious sights are evident in many of the places. However, signs of ChrisQanity are very scarce. Very, very few villages have a church building and many villages do not have any believers at all. Local families oken think that anyone
“Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.”
Psalm 119:116
Please pray that local families understand the community that exists in God and that those who want to believe are allowed to do so.
About: They were converted Rajput Hindu's and have lived for a millienium as muslims. Orignally they spoke Mewat but now they mainly speak Urdu. Often they blend aspects of Hinduism and Islam. In Uttar Pradesh they are found in Rohikhand and Doab, Mathura, Bulandshahr Ditrict, Meerut District, Moradabad, Bareilly, Rampur and Pilibhit districts. They are mainly farmers and labours.
the sunnis
Day 11
Name:
Population: 1,631,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 1,185,000 Gujarat: 156,000 Uttarakhand: 141,000 Haryana: 35,000
teli
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 11Sunni Muslims are in the majority around the enQre world. They adhere to the Qur’an a liple closer than their counterparts. Sunnis emphasize family, ritual, religion, and outside appearance.
Just like many others, Sunni people confuse the physical with the spiritual. In their mind, eaQng food without washing one’s hands is a sin. In the same way, more emphasis is put on the words that are recited in prayer than on the aytude of the person praying. For this reason, Sunni Muslims fall into the trap of us versus them.
They also oken act as their own judge and jury, never considering God’s perspecQve on one’s acQons and inacQons.
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord
looks at the heart.”1 Samuel 16:7b
Please pray that Sunnis are able to understand the difference between the things that are spiritual and the things that are physical. Also pray that they maintain the spirit of the law while accepQng God’s grace both for themselves and for others.
About: The word 'Teli' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'tailika' or 'tails', which means oil pressed from seeds. The community are traditional manufacturers of mustard or sesame oil. Hindus who convert to Islam are called Roshandaar or Muslim Teli. According to their tradition, their ancestor Luqman was apprenticed to the Biblical King David. Luqman is said to have first started the oil extraction profession. It is said that Luqman's ancestor was the Prophet Ayoub (Biblical Job).Oil is a useful connection between Christians and Telis. The physical and spiritual significance of oil in the Bible can be a key point for sharing the gospel with them.
muslim jobs
Day 12
Name:
Population: 920,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 391,000 Bihar: 474,000 Utarakhand: 1,900 Madhya Pradesh: 24,000
Kunjra
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 12
jobs and are only able to earn a small pay from them. Because the variety of jobs are limited, many people are forced to do the same job. Which means there are a lot of very small shops compeQng with each other. Today, some Muslims find employment in other countries as general labourers. But most Muslims work in the trades or as farmers.
As a whole, Muslims tend to occupy the less glamorous jobs. In the Qme of Islamic rule, they worked as skilled arQsans, without an equal in their given fields. However, Qmes and needs have changed. The jobs in which Muslims excelled in the past are no longer the ones that are in great need.
Added to this, Muslims have always been leery of outsiders which mean they did not emphasize educaQon, especially from an outside source. Therefore, the people were taught a family job and nothing more. Granted, this fact is changing more and more each year.
Due to religious prejudice, there are certain jobs that only Muslims are willing to do. For example, selling milk, working with leather, butchering, and the like. Although a few people have become successful within these trades, most remain stuck in these type of
“No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.”
Isaiah 65:22
Please pray that God blesses the Muslim people with the opportuniQes they need to succeed by financially and spiritually.
About: The Kujnra or Rayeen are Sunni. The majority have traditionally been engaged in horticulture and gardening, although this has changed in recent years. The marriage symbol for women is the nose-ring. The Rayeen women, besides performing household chores, assist their menfolk in agricultural operations, cattle-rearing, and in other economic activities. They favor formal education but most of the children drop out after the primary or secondary level, mainly due to economic reasons.
the shias
Day 13
Name:
Population: 545,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 466,000 Bihar: 50,000 Uttarakhand: 8,400 Rajasthan: 1,700
manihar
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 13
which mix formal religion with cultural beliefs and pracQces. Prior to the BriQsh ruling India, Shia Muslims ruled in North India. During that Qme, there was even a connecQon with the Free Masons of America. This connecQon was so Qght that a town in America re-‐named itself aker a current capital city in India.
“Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come
and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”Revelation 15:4
Proud, defiant, minority, resistant, unified, Qght knit. These are words that define the Shia Muslims of India. This sect of Islam makes up about 20% of the naQon’s Muslims and is a definite minority around the world.
They believe there were 12 righvul leaders aker Mohammed and the 12th one never died, but instead took on a spirit form. This spirit form does good deeds around the world and will take on human form when Jesus returns. This Caliph (leader) will join Jesus in leading a special prayer for all Muslims. Shia have many other interesQng beliefs
Please pray that the Shia people unite around the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that they are prepared for the second coming of Jesus and not just one of their former leaders.
About: The Manihar have been known for their occupation of making and selling glass, lac or ivory bangles for many years. Due to the limited availability of elephant tusks for ivory, many bangles and beads now are manufactured in plastics. Today some Manihar take other jobs including tailoring. The literacy rate among the Manihar tends to be low. They speak primary Urdu. Siddiqi can be a common surname. They are Sunni Muslims and tend to share foods with other Muslim families but traditionally do not allow marriage outside their community.
muslim children
Day 14
Name:
Population: 55,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 13,000 Gujarat: 6,900 Delhi: 6,400 Madhya Pradesh: 8,800 Rajasthan: 5,500
Faqir
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 14
labourers in the world. Child labour is much higher in Muslim communiQes. This generaQon needs our prayers.
Jesus welcomed children with opened arms, caring for them and protecQng them, was of importance to him.
The treatment of the children of India, the next generaQon is a huge area for concern. Child Abuse appears to be a growing problem, however, it is difficult to know whether it is in fact increasing or raised awareness means more cases are reported. With over 50% of children claiming to be sexually abused and of those 50%, 20% reported severe abuse.
Human Rights groups say that there are over 20 million sex workers in India. Each year 5 million children join the sex trade. SomeQmes they are sold by family members out of desperaQon and need of food. Many Indian children are trafficked around the world oken to Arab and Gulf states to work as sex slaves. India is sadly the home to the largest number of child
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
-‐ for raised awareness of the need to protect children. -‐ for an increase of NGO's and global bodies working to prevent child abuse, child sex trade, child trafficking and child labour. -‐ For the silence to be liked from such a sensiQve topic, oken ignored due to cultural taboos.
About: The Fakir, or faqir derived from faqr, Arabic for “poverty”. Faqirs or Madaris are followers of a celebrated Sufi saint, Zinda Shah of Makanpur in Awadh. The Faqirs were wandering dervishes teaching Islam and living on alms. The term has become a common Urdu, Begali and Hindi byword for "beggar". There is also a distinct caste of Faqirs in North india, descended from communities of Faqirs who took up residence at Sufi shrines.
conflict between sects
Day 15
Name:
Population: 259,188 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 159,000 Haryana: 5,600 Bihar: 5,000 Gujarat: 2,300
bhatiara
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 15There is a saying within Islam: ‘Me against my brother’, ‘Me and my brother against our neighbor’, ‘My brother, my neighbor and I against the world.’ In other words, people can have mulQple enemies at the same Qme and be able to unite against a perceived greater threat even in the midst of internal strife.So many Qmes on the TV news we hear about the fighQng between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
Although the details vary in each individual event, conflict is based on a perceived threat from some other group. So, oken specific groups believe that their way is right and are not willing to compromise with anyone who sees it differently.
In many North Indian ciQes, people live among their religious affinity. Although they may go to the same markets to shop, their communiQes are very segregated. During religious ceremonies, police specify routes for the various sects so that they are less
Please pray for peace and love among all peoples. Pray that people learn about how God loves each person equally.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the
powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:12
likely to meet and cause a confrontaQon. UlQmately, the only way for violence to end is have a heart change within the people involved. As long as there is an emphasis on us versus them mentality, hatred will conQnue and fighQng will be the result.
About: The Bhatiara of India have a population of 259,188. They are part of the Oriya people cluster. This people group is found only in India. Their primary language is Awadhi. The primary religion practiced by the Bhatiara is Islam. There are very few believers amongst this people but there has been initial or concentrated church planting among them within the past two years.Ask the Lord to raise up workers who will bring the truth and love of Christ to these people who currently have no witness among them.Pray for God to show Himself to the Bhatiara and for the Gospel to move forward with power among them.
women -‐ for such a time as this
Day 16
Name:
Population: 128,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 55,000 Haryana: 21,000 Punjab: 20,000 Uttarakhand: 16,000
Arain
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 16
She recognised her dependence on God and the need for the prayerful support of the community when she called them to fast.She brought about a radical change from within the community!Mordecai, her uncle, represents the men of the community. He was a humble, respected man of God who loved his people and became their champion. He was trustworthy and supporQve towards Esther, but also challenging and encouraging. He recognised her calling and guided her into it!
Esther’s story in the Bible speaks of the key role women can play in their community’s salvaQon. Let’s think about her character!
She had faith, integrity, determinaQon, courage, wisdom and discernment. She was an orphan who became influenQal and was in the right place at the right Qme. She was prepared, ready and willing to fight for righteousness and her people in the face of potenQal danger to herself. Her confidence in both God and Mordecai encouraged her to be an obedient risk-‐taker.
“If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life - this is my
petition, and the life of my people - this is my request.”Esther 7:3
Spend some Qme meditaQng on Esther’s story. Ask God to raise up Esthers and Mordecais among the Ms of North India, in every UUMPG, and every community.
About: Their community is highly educated and intellectual. They work in cultivation and in agriculture-based business. Most have sufficient farming land and cultivate sugar cane, wheat, rice, mangoes and mustard. Dairy production is an important part of their subsistence also. They are a Muslim people with a broad knowledge of Islam. They are mainly related to the Barelvi movement of Sunni Islam that originated in the Indian subcontinent.
the caste system
Day 17
Name:
Population: 63,000 Location: Jammu and Kashmir: 63,000
makhmi
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 17
from the Hindu lower castes in hope of an improvement in their social standards, it rarely happened. The Caste System is a major barrier for the gospel. ParQcularly for those of high caste who find comfort in their high social status and superiroity over the lower class Muslims. To convert from any Muslim caste to follow Jesus is seen to bring shame on the enQre family, to convert when from a high caste not only brings shame, but loss of all rights and power being in that caste brings.
The caste system is something that most people associate with Hinduism, however, the caste system is just as alive in the Muslim communiQes in North India. Caste is determined by birth, this determines a persons status which cannot be changed. It is usually a persons surname that indicates a family's caste. A persons caste dictates social status, career opQons, who they can marry and lifestyle. The main Muslim castes are:
1. The Sayyeds: The descendents of the Prophet Mohammad.
2.The Pathans: The MarQal race and the warriors.
3. The Sheikhs: Converts who Qll the land and are mainly in businesses.
4. The Workers: Barbers, cooks, Ironmongers etc.
“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from
darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1
Pray that those from the High Caste may be reached so they can take the gospel through the barriers of Caste. Pray for those low caste families who have lived generaQons down trodden and forgopen, that they may know true hope and freedom.
Though people may state that they are from a certain caste, e.g. Sayyed, it is not always accurate that they are descendents of Mohammad. Some families may convert and take on a name that would provide them with higher caste status. The majority of the Indian Muslim PopulaQon came
About: The Makhmi of India have a population of 63,000. They are part of the Tibetan people cluster. This people group is found only in North India. Their primary language is Ladakhi. The main religion practiced by the Makhmi is Islam. Very little research has actually been done about the Makhmi people. Most of them live in Ladakh. The Makhmi people are completely unreached and unengaged.
muharram
Day 18
Name:
Population: 59,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 39,000 Gujarat: 11,000 Haryana: 4,100 Delhi: 1,300
baloch
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 18The year 680 AD is a long Qme ago, but to many Muslims in India that year is very important. Aker the death of Mohammed in 632 AD, there was a dispute about who should lead the people. Some said it should be a direct descendent of Mohammed and others said it should be someone who was spiritually worthy.This dispute came to a head in 680 AD at the baple of Karbala in present day Iraq.
As the story goes, the reigning Caliph brought 3000-‐4000 troops to fight against 120 supporters and family members of Muhammad. Their leader was Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein. Today the Shia Muslims talk, sing, and write poetry about the 120 who fought so valiantly.
This event is important in North India is because the Muslims who ruled before the BriQsh were from the Shia sect. And even though today they are in the minority
Please pray that people come to know that Jesus has taken all our punishment.
“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
Proverbs 21:3
among the Muslims of India, they remain very outspoken. So on the first ten days of Muharram (an Islamic month), north India becomes a buzz of acQvity which culminates on the 10th day.
On that day, large groups of Shia men beat their bodies unQl they bleed. They say they feel no pain because they are one with the spirit of Hussein.
About: Their history is a mystery. Some have traced their origins to Nimrod, son of Cush (Noah's grandson). But while some things are uncertain, we do know that they first moved to the region in the twelfth century. During the Moghul period, this territory became known as "Baluchistan."
The Baluch traditionally earn their living by a combination of farming and semi-nomadic shepherding. They usually raise sheep, cattle, or goats. Agriculture is limited because of the harsh climate; nevertheless, it plays a large role in the economy. The chief crop is wheat.
your servant is listening
Day 19
Name:
Population: 7,117,000 Location: Jammu and Kashmir: 6,949,000 Himachal Pradesh: 80,000 Delhi: 24,000 Punjab: 3,900
kashmiri
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 19 who in his wisdom was ready to help Samuel to recognise the voice of God.
Samuel awoke in the night “Eli did you call me?” “No child, go back to sleep.” he replied.
“Samuel,” the voice came again, to which Samuel responded “Eli, I am here.”
Eli in his wisdom realised this was the voice of God and instructed the child to respond.
Across the Muslim world and here in India we hear hope-‐raising stories of God calling people by name out of their sleep. Think about the story of Samuel, the unlikely child, whose ear was ready to hear from the Lord. Eli,
“Speak Lord for your servant is listening” 1 Samuel 3:10
Pray for Samuels to be raised in North India, those ready to hear God's call and to respond, with “Speak Lord for your servant is listening,”
About: The Kashmiri mainly live in rural regions; only about one-fifth live in cities. They are generally tall, fair skinned, and have different features to Indians. Most of the Kashmiri are peasant farmers. They raise rice, wheat, maize, barley, lentils, and fruits such as apples, peaches, and apricots. Today, there are less than 1,000 known Kashmiri believers. The Islamic stronghold over them will only be broken down through prayer. These precious people who live in a highly volatile area of the world need to meet the Prince of Peace.
sufism
Day 20
Name:
Population: 446,757 Location: Jammu and Kashmir: 446,757
sudhan
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 20
other things that are not normally possible via formal religions. Sufi leaders are seen as spiritualists, being able control the spirit world in order that it benefits some at the expense of others.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the
Father seeks.”John 4:23
The Sufi sect of Islam started about 70 years aker Mohammed’s death in 632 AD. At that Qme, formal Islam taught that God was removed from His creaQon and that He was to be worshiped only according to strict rules. Within this line of thought, God only interacts with the prophets, who are deemed perfect. Therefore, those of us who are not perfect have no chance of experiencing God.
With this as a background, Sufis wanted to experience God and not only worship Him as a removed deity. According to their teachings, there are many ways to experience God but most of those ways include chanQng, burning incense and going through a number of rituals.
‘Experts’ are paid to conjure up the presence of God for all types of worshipers. They also apempt healings, give advice, and do many
Please pray that the Sufi Muslims have an experience with the true and living God. And through that experience they learn what it means to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
About: The city of Rawalakot (still disputed between Pakistan and India), the capital of the Sudhan tribe, suffered significant damage from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. Sudhuns are a tightly knit community, and female education is highly valued. There likely are no followers of Christ among the Sudhan community. But please pray for those that the Lord will soon call to Himself, that they will clearly understand the grace and truth offered through faith in Christ, resting fully on His finished work on the cross, and the power of His life within them. Focused, sustained prayer is needed to prepare the hearts of the Sudhan community to receive the Gospel of Christ when it comes.
multi-‐coloured dream
Day 21
Name:
Population: 907,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 534,000 Bihar: 155,000 Uttarakhand: 12,000 Haryana: 9,500
dhobi
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 21
into the Muslim communiQes; “And a0erward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28
Joseph had a dream that changed the course of his life. He later interpreted dreams that changed the desQny of a people.
So much of muslim culture crushes the dreamers of this generaQon, lack of hope, poverty, caste, compeQQon due to growing populaQon, lack of creaQve educaQon, means that so many of this generaQon no longer allow themselves to dream. Today pray for a pouring out of God's spirit on North India, that sons and daughters will speak God's word
“And akerward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will
dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28
Pray for the dreamers of this generaQon, pray for transforming mulQ-‐coloured dreams, that will not only change the lives of the dreamer but of his people.
About: The Dhobi are traditionally the clothes washers. Today more than most South Asian communities the Dhobi have maintained their traditional occupation of washing clothes and running laundry services. Though some small success has come in ministry to the Hindu Dhobi, the Muslim Dhobi have no known work amongst them. In general, the attitude of the Dhobi to education is quite good and literacy in some locations is higher than other Muslim communities.
muslim children and education
Day 22
Name:
Population: 445,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 364,000 Uttarakhand: 41,000 Haryana: 19,000 Punjab: 18,000
gujar
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 22India's largest concentraQon of Muslims live in Northern India. They are described by Indian government reports as one of the most marginalized and discriminated against minority in their country. They are underrepresented in poliQcs and educaQon considering their numbers. In North India, Muslim's literacy rates are 36%/49% in urban/rural areas respecQvely.
But girls are even less likely to get an educaQon as this very conservaQve and uneducated people group will see work at home more important for daughters than for their sons. But there is hope as the enrollment of Muslim children in schools has seen a sharp rise. QuoQng a Muslim parent, “There is a passionate urge to get educaQon (for their children).”
Thank God for this new generaQon of young Muslim parents.
-‐ Pray for the majority of these precious children, especially girls, who sQll do not get any opportunity to learn to read because they come from desperately poor families.
-‐Pray that once they learn to read, these young people will have the opportunity to read the Bible.
“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”
Proverbs 2:10
About: As various Muslim groups began invading India and Pakistan in the eleventh century, the Gujur Hindus converted to Islam. Ever since their conversion to Islam in the eleventh century, the Gujur have been bound by a life of poverty, illiteracy, and social oppression. In general, they are a simple, inoffensive people with a generous, hospitable nature. Today, most of the Gujur living in India live as law-abiding shepherds and farmers. Unfortunately, they are still belittled by those of higher castes (social classes), and often labeled as thieves and vagrants.
shakil’s story
Day 23
Name:
Population: 16,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 7,400 Bihar: 6,500
chamar
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 23
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authoriQes, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
"This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasQng." Mark 9:29
Mohsin was 16 when I first met him. His bright open eyes soaked in every word as I shared the gospel with him. He told me of his mother who was possessed and had regularly been involved in witch crak, frequently following the advice of the witch doctor.
I didn't meet Mohsin again for almost 9 years, when I did the 25 year old that greeted me was far from the bright teenager I remembered. He looked older than his years and appeared tormented and Qred. Mohsin shared of the 9 years that had passed and how his mothers' 'illness' plagued the home. The witch doctors recipes, poQons and spells were forced upon everyone in the household. 'I have spirits living inside of me' Mohsin acknowledged.
Sadly this is a story we hear too oken. In the mosque you can see men spinning their heads around and around in hope of freedom from the bad spirits 'jin' that torment them.
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe,
people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes...”
Revelations 7:9
Pray today for freedom for those who are capQve and live a tormented life.
About: Being a minority religious group in a primarily Hindu country, Muslim Chamars know what discrimination feels like. Their name derives from Chamakara, meaning "a worker in leather." In South Asia people say the Chamars, be they Hindu or Muslim, are criminally minded and unintelligent.
Such beliefs should be expected regarding those who process leather in a land where Hinduism teaches people to venerate cattle. Most Chamar Muslims make their homes in the Indian border with Nepal. This is a rugged, mountainous area that requires great vigor and endurance.
lucknow
Day 24
Name:
Population: 153,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 131,000 Uttarakhand: 13,000 Haryana: 3,900
banjara
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 24
Specific areas of the city that contain high concentraQons of Muslims and require special prayer include: Chowk, Daliganj, Aliganj, Mahanagar, Aminabad, Husainabad and Kashmiri Mohalla.
Poverty is an enormous challenge within Lucknow with 500,000 people living in slums and an addiQonal 100,000 people homeless. While there are wealthy areas within the city, the vast majority of the populaQon live at extreme poverty levels. Amongst the poor, those who are rickshaw drivers, pickers, and street sweepers are amongst the poorest and most likely to be homeless.
Lucknow is the capital city of Upar Pradesh State, which is both the most populous state in the country and contains 25% of all Muslims living within India.
While accurate populaQon staQsQcs are difficult to obtain, the latest figures on Lucknow’s populaQon place it at 4.86 million people. Muslims represent 38% of this populaQon of which 70% are Sunni and 30% Shia. The majority of Muslims living in Lucknow live in highly concentrated areas, with liple infrastructure, and high poverty.
Sunnis, Shias and Hindus all tend to live within separate pockets of the city with borderlines between groups occasionally erupQng into violence and rioQng. Lucknow is a somewhat unique in that there has been more violence between the two segments of Islam, than between Hindus and Muslims (which has been more the norm in other areas of the country).
“I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into
pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.”Isaiah 41:18
Pray for an revival over this city, dreams and transformaQon.
About: The Muslim Banjara have twelve clans. They maintain cordial relations with neighboring communities and share water sources with them. They belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. To follow Jesus is to risk upsetting community harmony, and to risk losing family and friends. There are probably no present followers of Jesus among the Muslim Banjara community, but pray for those the Lord will soon call to Himself. Pray they will have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness, living as children of light.
ajmer
Day 25
Name:
Population: 997,249 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 420,000
baghban
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 25Ajmer is a city that is located in the south east of the state called Rajasthan. Ajmer has a populaQon of around 551,360.
Ajmer is surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains. It is a pilgrimage centre for the shrine of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin ChishQ.
Ajmer is a prominent pilgrimage centre for Northern Indian Shia Muslims and it is believed that by visiQng “Ajmer-‐Sharif” (the main mosque monument where tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin ChishQ) 3 Qmes is equivalent to one Haj (pilgrimage) to Mecca.
Pilgrims firmly believe that by visiQng Ajmer-‐Sharif, all their wishes are fulfilled. Millions of people visit Ajmer every year in hope of having their problems taken away from them and wishes fulfilled.
“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.”
Isaiah 41:17
Please, pray that as pilgrims go and bow down in reverence to their god, that a flashing revelaQon of Christ will come to many. That they may find the real and only One who can take all anxieQes away, Jesus.
About: The name Baghban comes from the Urdu Baghban, which means one who looks after the garden. The Baghban are a horticultural community residing mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh. They mainly identify themselves as an independent occupational group of the Kunjra, a community of greengrocers who sell vegetables and fruits. Among the Baghban, daughters receive a smaller share of the ancestral property than the sons and the eldest son succeeds to the late father’s authority as head of the family. The Baghban women in addition to carrying out all the domestic duties contribute directly to the family income by selling fruits and vegetables in the local markets.
pillars
Day 26
Name:
Population: 1,603,000 Location: Mainly in the Punjab
kamboh
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 26
Ephesians 2:8-‐9 says ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-‐ and this not from yourselves, it is a giO of God-‐not by works, so that no one can boast.‘
There are 5 pillars of Islam that are obligatory and foundaQonal for Muslim life.They are:
*The Shahada-‐ the creed that you say to be a Muslim*Salah-‐ daily prayers that are done 5x a day*Zakat-‐ almsgiving*Sawm -‐ fasQng in the month of Ramadan*Hajj-‐ pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifeQme
In North India, there are Sunni and Shi’a Muslims. Both agree on the essenQal details of these pillars, but Shi’a do not refer to them by the same name and have addiQonal pracQces that they must perform. To learn more about these pracQces you can refer to Shi’a Twelvers and Ismailis.
Through the pillars of both Indian Sunni and Shi’a Muslims believe they are leading a good and responsible life. These good deeds will hopefully be enough when they meet God at their death.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is a gift
of God-not by works, so that no one can boast.”Ephesians 2:8-9
Let us pray for both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims of North India, that they would discover and receive the gik of God-‐Jesus’ work upon the cross.
About: The Kambohs are an ethnic community mainly of the Punjab region. They may relate to the Kambojas, an Iranian tribe known to the people of Iron Age India and mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts and epigraphy. Kamboh or Kamboj is frequently used as a surname in lieu of the sub-caste or the gotra name by many Kambohs of Punjab.
A good number of Kambohs are also found in the Doab region of Uttar Pradesh, especially in the town of Marehra, and call themselves Zuberis. Kambojs are known as adventurous and enterprising people. Therefore, as a colonists, servicemen, politicians and businessmen, they have also spread, after the partition, into various parts of India.
Marys
Day 27
Name:
Population: 32,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 4,600 Bihar: 25,000
abdul
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 27
‘‘I am the Lord’s servant’.. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’’
(Lk 1 :38). Pray for the Josephs in their lives -‐ husbands, fathers, brothers -‐ who will be honourable and protecQve towards them, just as Joseph was towards Mary. Pray that they would store up the promises and words of God in their hearts, just as Mary did. Pray that God would give understanding, wisdom and discernment to them and cause them to guard the promises in prayer!
‘‘I am the Lord’s servant’.. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’’
Luke 1:38
Jesus’ mother, Mary, played a key role in God’s plan for salvaQon for us all! In God’s eyes she was highly favoured! In the world’s eyes she was anything but! She was unmarried, and young, but accepted God’s promise, delivered by the angel, with such beauQful humility and faith!
Pray that God will raise up women in Muslim communiQes across North India who will accept God’s incarnate Word and play key roles in bringing to birth and nurturing the body of Christ, the church among their people – women with the faith and humility to say
Pray for God’s hand to be upon them and their spiritual offspring, protecQng, guiding, teaching and fulfilling every purpose that He has for them.
About: Being of a lower social status has caused many Abdul families to survive on charity. In some communities they are alms gatherers while singing and drumming or selling perfume. It is said that during Ramadan some Abdul wake up early and go village to village playing their dafali (instrument) and singing the names of Allah. Traditions like this have given them the title 'wandering singers' or 'a class of wandering Muslim saints' in some places. They are Sunni Muslims. No believers known amongst this people.
eid al adha
Day 28
Name:
Population: 31,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 21,000 Bihar: 5,800
bhand
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 28
which Abraham’s sacrifice foreshadowed.
Eid Al Adha, the religious fesQval of sacrifice is referred to as Bakri Eid by Muslims of North India. It honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God’s command, and his son’s willingness to be sacrificed. The holiday occurs at the culminaQon of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca or Hajj.
It is not on the same day every year because the Islamic Calendar is based on a lunar calendar. The holiday moves 10 days earlier every year. The morning of the Eid begins with the men praying at the mosque. So many come, they spill outside of the mosques into the streets nearby. Aker praying, each household is expected to sacrifice a goat. The day is then spent visiQng and sharing special foods with family and friends. North Indian Muslims say they sacrifice for God’s happiness. If only they knew this does not bring God happiness. God wants them to know of of His greater and more perfect sacrifice,
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29
Pray the Muslims of North India will come to understand this incredible gik.
About: They are an occupational lower caste people who have been singers, dancers, actors and jesters since the days of feudal Kingdoms in India. Today the Bhands are still known for their singing, dancing and story-telling in many areas of north and central India. The Bhands are especially known for their folk-dance, folk-music and playing of the drum and flute. Most Bhand, however, can be found to have left their traditional occupation and moved into small business selling of household goods or toys. Because of their prominent traditional position in the community in performing, the Bhand community ought to be more open to outside communication and likely the Gospel
the seeds are in the ground
Day 29
Name:
Population: 225,000 Location: Uttar Pradesh: 190,000 Bihar: 21,000 Gujarat: 3,100 Jammu and Kaskhmir: 2,400
bhat
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 29Over the centuries, countless ChrisQans have prayed in villages, towns and ciQes across North India. There is no way of knowing which places have been prayed in, or for, and which have not. No doubt there are many places where no believer has been, but every prayer has been heard by God, and has not been wasted!
North India is, and always has been, a hard place for anyone who takes the Great commission seriously. Many have died here, become discouraged and lek, or persevered despite the hardships.
Whether believers stay for a short Qme or forever, and whether they feel they have done well or not, every prayer they have offered in faith has been heard! Like seed scapered by farmers, these prayers are lying in the ground awaiQng the right Qme to germinate, grow and be harvested!
Join with us in asking God for the right amount of rain, for the seeds to ‘germinate’ wherever they have been sown in prayer, and for a mighty harvest among the peoples of this region.
“I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and
the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord
has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.”Isaiah 41:19,20
About: Bhat were expert historians, and the literature of India owes the preservation of its oldest treasures to these people. They recited poems and ballads (in a typical high-pitched sing-song tone) in the courts of rulers and chiefs.
The Bhat were known to ridicule those who offended them with sarcasm. They are converts to Islam from the Rai Bhat community. The community is now mainly made of small peasant farmers, traders and government servants. They cultivate wheat, sorghum, paddy, maize, pulses and vegetables. In villages, they are sharecroppers.
God says ‘The seeds are in the ground!’, and ‘Ask for rain in the SpringQme’. We have had an unusually high number of rain storms in this early spring season in 2013!
the harvest is plenty
Day 30
Name:
Population: 771,000 Location: Jammu and Kashmir: 684,000 Himachal Pradesh: 76,000 Uttar Pradesh: 2,700
gujjar
Prayer Focus
People Group Focus: Day 30Where would India be today if William Carey had given up when a minister rebuked him: "Young man, sit down; when God is pleased to convert the the lost world, He will do it without your help or mine." Carey listened instead to Jesus who says "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creaQon." -‐Mark 16:15
CT Studd wrote many years ago: Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. You and I are here only a few short days. Make them count!
To finish this 30 days we would like to invite you to pray for more laborers in this vast field, pray they be raised from the local church or internaQonal community.
Why not ask God if you are to be the answer to this prayer and join us in laboring amongst the Muslims of North India?
“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:38.
Amazingly, Jesus gave us the exact prayer for this need, so please pray it today: "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Maphew 9:38.
About: In Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal areas, Gujjars are mostly pastoral nomads, having no villages or other permanent settlements. They roam behind their herds of cattle on carts and horses and make their temporary settlements under tents in forest areas. They move to high altitude hills in summer while came back to pastoral grounds of lowlands in winter. Some of them are very well-to-do and rich landlords.
Generally Gujjars are tall, strong and sturdy people with fair skin color and sharp features. They are considered wrestlers from birth in some areas while their other favorite sport is to lift huge, heavy stones.