Urgent Prayer Request

This was sent to our church prayer chain from one of our missionaries in India. Please read and pray.

High Tension and Violence in Punjab
9/13/2010

India Gospel Ourreach

Dear Pastor Jack & Kathryn,


Please pray for God's intervention in India, Afghanistan and Pakistan where Muslims are violently reacting to threats made by Terry Jones from Florida, to burn copies of the Koran (a threat not carried out).




However, some of the news media in north India reported falsely that he did burn the Koran, and radicals, always looking for any excuse to attack Christians, jumped at the opportunity.




There has been much violence in Punjab--three churches burned Sunday and today in Maner Kotla and Batala, the only two Muslim communities where they are a majority in Punjab. One of the churches was associated with the Church of North India and the others were Pentecostal churches. One 40 kilometers from Ludhiana and the other near the border of Pakistan. These churches are well known to IGO's ministry up in that area.




During this time of high tension, IGO's Punjab Bible College in Ludhiana is under guard by five police officers. More than 50 police officers are guarding IGO's main church in the city of Jalandhar around the clock until agitation subsides (I dedicated this new church facility three years ago).




There was a peaceful protest in the city of Ludhiana involving 5,000 Christians. Pastor K. Koshy, IGO's director of Punjab Bible College, also chairperson for all Christian churches and fellowships in the Ludhiana area spoke at the meeting earlier today.




My daughter, Ann, who works with World Vision, also reports that Muslims in Afghanistan and Pakistan attacked and beat many Christians and churches in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have strong Muslim majorities and powerful radical elements.




Pray for the restraining power of the Holy Spirit to prevail. Pray for peace in these troubled areas. Pray for God's protection for our churches, Bible College, training centers and believers.




Thank you for your prayers. Remember that "the fervent prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much." (James 5:16)




Blessings in Christ,



T. Valson Abraham