GLOBAL PRAYER NETWORK: Bhantu in India

Jumat, 22 Januari 2016

Bhantu in India

The Bhantu many years ago were notorious thieves. They are a community that the British listed in their Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 as criminal. Between 1926 and 1928, the British exiled about three hundred of them from Uttar Pradesh to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The stigma stuck for many years – despite the Act's demise in 1952, and despite being referred to officially now as a "denotified tribe." Today they work in government and other agencies, and a number are farmers. Brides are gained through negotiation or by courtship, with a bride-price being very common. Nearly all of the Bhantu are Hindu. They observe all Hindu festivals and employ Brahmin priests to perform their religious rites. They rarely perform ancestor worship. Shankar Bhagwan is their family deity and Sherawali Mata and Hanuman are village deities.

Ministry Obstacles
Lack of workers who can communicate well in the languages and cultures of South Asia is an ongoing obstacle to the advance of the Gospel.

Outreach Ideas
Please pray for Gospel radio to be widely available throughout India and that the Bhantu will listen. Pray the Lord will give them understanding.

Pray for the followers of Christ
A handful of Bhantu have identified themselves as Christians to the Indian census. Please pray the Lord will guard these people from doubt and confusion about their faith, and will use them to influence all of their community for Christ.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for improved employment opportunities for the Bhantu, and for good yields from their crops.

Scripture Focus
"And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed." Daniel 7:14