India

Capital: New Delhi

Major Languages: Hindi, English

Area: 3.3 million km2

Population: 1.4 billion

HDI Rank: 131 of 189

Major Religion:

Hindu: 1040 million (80%)

Other Religions:

Catholic: 20 million (1.4%)

Islam: 184 million (14.2%)

Protestant: 28.6 million (2.2%)

Other: 28.6 million (2.2%)

General Information:

India is the world’s largest democracy and the second most populous country in the world, after China. Known for its Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders in the world, India is a very colorful and diverse country. The majority of the population following Hinduism, are vegetarians. Britain’s East India Company ruled almost all of India by 1849. The country won its independence from the British in 1947. The nation has developed nuclear technology and a strong computer industry. It’s the second largest English-speaking country, after the U.S. The most popular sport in the country is cricket.

Religious Background:

India is the birthplace of several world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Hinduism, dates back to 4000 years, and is the most important facet of Indian history and contemporary life. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, but religious persecution still exists. Christianity was introduced by Thomas the Apostle in 52 A.D. Jainism and Buddhism emerged in the 5th and 6th centuries. The Muslim missionaries came along with the Arab traders in the 7th century, and converted many to Islam. Sikhism was established in the 1400s.

Catholic background:

The first Franciscan missionaries came to India, in 1291, to the Madras region. The French Dominican missionaries followed in 1321. There were considerable conversions to Catholicism, and the first Catholic diocese in India was established in the state of Kerala. Out of the 174 dioceses in India, 132 are of the Latin Catholic Church; 31 are Syro-Malabar Church and 11 are Malankara Syrian Catholic Church. The Church is composed of 30 archdioceses, 144 dioceses and 10,701 parishes. Patron saints: Thomas, Francis Xavier, Our Lady of Assumption.

Prayer Points

1. Indians to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior

Pray that everyone will get an opportunity to hear the gospel and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2. Catholics to know Christ

Pray for the salvation of 20 million Catholics in India.
Catholicism is deeply steeped into syncretism. Catholics are also strongly devoted to Mary. Pray for Jesus alone, to be their Lord and Savior.
Pray for God to bestow spiritual hunger among the Catholics to know Christ and be drawn to Him.
Catholics have been indoctrinated by false beliefs, and many practice a syncretized form of Christianity. Pray that they would repent from these beliefs and practices, and come to a saving faith in Christ alone.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 10,701 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 19,946 priests, 17,352 brothers and 82,348 sisters.
Pray for the spiritual growth of Catholics, those who have come to a saving faith in Christ. Ask the Lord that they may be true disciples of Jesus Christ, and effective witnesses among their own people.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

Despite widespread opposition, Evangelicals are growing in numbers. India, however, is one of the least reached countries in the world, with multitudes who have never heard the gospel in a clear and relevant way. Pray that the gospel will reach every person who has not heard it yet. Ask God for greater focus and mobilization efforts to effectively reach the nation with the gospel of Christ.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

India is faced with a growing population, poverty, corruption, crimes of every nature, poor sanitation and poor living standards. Pray that the government will be able to urgently tackle the huge social, economic and environmental problems.

5. Other Religions

Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and Judaism are some of the major religions in India. There are various other religions and cults and a huge number are irreligious. Pray that they would know Jesus as the only Way to God.