Pray for Our Nation: The Need of the Hour

Christians are attacked mercilessly in the Indian states, some places even with the support of the administration. In many cases the government is a mute spectator. This article is an urgent call and a reminder to the Christians all over the world to pray for the nation

---

A Prayer from an innocent heart

Christians Are Not Trouble Makers, yet They Are

Targeted Everywhere in India

 

This is in continuation to my write-up "Atrocities Against Christians Are Increasing Alarmingly" (Associate Content January 30 2008). As I said in the piece, news about such atrocities are pouring in, the news agencies are reporting such incidents every other day. In some states with the help of the administration the extremist are harassing the Christians. From Kashmir (northern part of India) to Kanyakumari (the southern part of India) this is going on.

Atrocities on Christians are not a new tactic; A report says, "In Assam there is a systematic edging out of Christians. The latest in a series of incidents involves the order given a few weeks ago to a 162 year old church in the city's Fancy Bazar area to clear out to make way for the construction of a car park". www.thesundayindin.com (Vol. I Issue 33 dated. 21 May 2007)

These are not isolated incidents. In the state of Andhra Pradesh, in Tirupati Christian activities are totally banned. No Christian activity, not even distributing tracts is allowed. Christians are harassed even in their respective work places. There are many other incidents which are unreported.

Sad to say, that the day to day political situation is fast deteriorating. Politicians are becoming more and more selfish in their interests. Their ultimate aim is to gain power and procure more wealth as long as they are in power. The so called people's representatives are exploiting the innocent citizens for their selfish interests. Most of them are cashing in on the cards of cast and religion.

"Christians Are Not Trouble Makers, yet They Are

Targeted Everywhere in India"

The latest in this series is the attack towards the Christians at Orissa.

The Sunday Indian News Weekly report. "The Hindu extremists on the Eve of Christmas. Riot broke out, which leads to the killing of four people and the destruction of more than a dozen churches. Three days before these incident four fingers of a pastor's right hand had to be amputated after he was attacked in Gujarat. The Weekly says,

Missionary Graham Stains and his children Philip and Timothy

"The spate of violence was a grave reminder of a midnight attack in Orissa's Keonjhar district in which an Australian missionary Graham Staines along with his two minor sons was burnt alive by a group of Hindu zealots on January 22, 1999. In an eerie coincidence, a month before Staines was killed, half a dozen churches had been vandalized in Dangs district in Gujarat. In September 1998, four nuns were sexually assaulted in Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh." (TSI, Vol. II Issue 14 dated January 7 2008)

It is obvious that the present Indian political system is so corrupt that even there are nexus between politicians and the underworld. Many a time justice is denied to the common man; the rich and the powerful always rule the roost. Even the highest office of justice, the judiciary in our country is allegedly not an exception to this. In such a situation how can an ordinary citizen expect justice from the administration? No doubt these incidents and the government's policy in this aspect is a big concern to the Christians.

Kings and rulers rose against Christians from the very beginning to tarnish and destroy Christians. In the recent past many writers and film producers have surfaced with their stories and films to depict Christ and his followers in a bad way. Then suddenly a battalion rose from the Christendom with their pens and papers and websites to protect Christ and Christianity. Some used this opportunity to boost the circulation of their books. What a sad thing to note that many think that Christ is in dire need of protectors. These defenders of Christianity must note that from the very birth of Christianity the enemies of the cross were present and active everywhere. But what was the effect of that on Christianity through the centuries? It flourished and flourished to the present enormous state from a meager number. 

What happened to the ‘‘D code’’ and ''Lost tomb of Jesus'' etc and their creators? They all sink in to the history never to come up again. But Christ and His teachings will last forever. Is it because of such protectors or defenders of Christianity? No, never. Jesus is God, and He doesn't need any protection from the feeble and insignificant human beings. 

So, let's not attack the authorities and the opponents of Christianity for their policies and the actions. The book of Romans makes it clear that all authorities are established by God and we must obey the authorities. It says, ''Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers is not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear this sword in vain; for he is God's minister, and avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience'' sake...'' (Rom.13:1-7).

Let's follow the footsteps of our Savior, who left behind a wonderful option to adopt and follow. Let's follow His steps; He meekly endured all the opposition and got the everlasting victory.

No doubt, in many cases now the authorities are using their power according to their whims and fancies. The olden days'' equality and fraternity are only on paper and in the files. Muscle and money power is ruling the roost. The minorities or the Christians are mute spectators. Can we, the Christians keep quiet seeing such inequalities, atrocities and rejections meted out to Christians? Or, do we need to raise our voice? If, Yes, how? Of course, we must raise our voice, not like the politicians spitting venom on each other through their preaching, writings and web creations, but towards the Creator of this universe, not to the authorities of this world but to the creator and controller of this universe. Yes, the one who created everything can control the situation to fulfill His will. We are here, not to retaliate, but with a purpose He has kept us on this earth. The word of God very emphatically says that such things will happen in the end times. Believers should be more vigilant, not to retaliate but to submit these matters to the Lord Almighty. Sadly, there are people in Christendom who want to retaliate through their different activities. That is not a healthy trend.

On the other hand, the recent incidents in Kerala are a shame to Christianity. Two Christian groups (with their priests) fought each other on public road. They destroyed public property and attacked the media and police. They behaved worse than the political parties. It will be marked as a black chapter in the history of Indian Christians. The visual and print media reported this in a huge way. What a shame on us! Christians, we are watched by a large public, our every movement is noted. Let's walk worthy of His calling. That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Col. 1:10.

The very purpose of our life on this earth is to please, glorify and magnify our Savior and to proclaim His greatness to the perishing world. Let us fulfill the great commission with all our might and resources. His words are a comfort to us ''...I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age'' (Matt. 28: 20). Let's pray for the authorities for a change of mind. The need of the hour is prayer. Let's pray for our nation. No doubt we all pray for our nation and its leaders, but we need to do this more diligently than ever before.

Let's together call upon His name for a total transformation even among us the Christians. If we do this as often as we can, things will definitely change. The time is short. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers (1Pet. 4:7), let's do this diligently and on a day to day basis, as the Day (His Coming) is fast approaching. Let's pray for our nation and for the leaders to have an encounter with the real leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the universe. Let that be our main motto and concern.

Source:

The Sunday Indian Weekly, Vol. I Issue 33 dated. 21 May 2007 &

Volume II Issue 14 dated Jan 7 2008

Published from New Delhi,

C-10 Qutab Institutional Area

New Delhi - 110 016 Chief Editor Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri, Editor, A Sandeep

www.thesundayindian.com

Graham Stains Picture Credit:Google.co.in

http://www.wogim.org/stains.htm

web counter