I have a map of India on the wall in my office, and I’d love to have 50 rupees for every time someone walks in and says, “I didn’t know India was next to Pakistan or so close to Afghanistan or China…” or whatever.

So I thought a short geography lesson might help us and inspire us as we pray for India today.  As you can see from the map on the right, India is bordered on the west by Pakistan which was partitioned from India in 1947, just prior to India’s independence from Great Britain.

In the extreme northwest in the disputed area of Kashmir, there is also a short border with Afghanistan.  In the North in the Himalayan Mountains, India shares a border with China, Bhutan and Nepal.  The borders of the latter two nations mark a narrow corridor where India is connected to its seven northeastern states.  There you also see India’s wrap-around border with Bangladesh and its far eastern border with Burma (Myanmar).

These borders represent more political history and present-day struggles than we can address here, but needless to say, this part of the world can be volatile.  Let’s pray for peace in and around India and for our brothers and sisters in Christ there.

Our dear heavenly Father, we lift up the nation of India to You today and ask that You would bless and protect India and her people.  We pray that peace would prevail in and around India so that Your Word may go out into all the nations in that part of the world.

We pray for those who are proclaiming the Gospel throughout India that they would be welcomed in the unreached villages and urban areas.  We ask that as they scatter the Seed of Your Word that You would prepare good, fertile soil in the hearts of those who are seeking after Truth.  We pray that nothing would hinder those who are trying to find their way out of darkness into the Light of Your love and grace.

May the Prince of Peace rule in the hearts of the people of India, and may India become a Light to the nations around her.

In the precious Name of Jesus our Lord we pray.  Amen.

“May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.  May the peoples praise You, God; may all the peoples praise You!”
(Psalm 67:4,5)

We wish you a blessed and glorious New Year!

The following are the promises of God we want to share with you for the year 2012.

God Is Our Salvation

He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him (Jesus).” Hebrews 7:25  God will save us from sin, satan and sickness in 2012.  Let us keep ourselves close to His presence through prayer, reading of His Word, Godly fellowship and witnessing to His name.

God Is Our Strength

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Let us claim His strength in every thing we will attempt in 2012.  His strength will perfect  and fulfill all His purposes in our lives and ministry.

God Is Our Safeguard

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)  Let us not worry or weep over anything for He guards us and He will take care of us for, “He who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)

God Is Our Supplier

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)  God knows our needs whether it be personal or in family or in ministry. Our great and good Shepherd will see to it that we lack nothing in 2012.

Prayer

Father we thank you for being my SALVATION, STRENGTH, SAFEGUARD AND SUPPLIER.  Amen.

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Praise God for the wonderful celebrations we had during Christmas and on the 1st day of the New Year.
• Praise God that the planned persecution in Orissa got thwarted.
• Our Gospel team preached the Gospel in 86 locations covering 42 villages in the Andhra/Tamilnadu border area from December 22-30.  Hundreds of children and adults were saved.  Praise God.  Pray for the follow up with these new believers.
• Praise God for Jaya and I spoke God’s words at Mount Zion at the 31st Watch Night worship.
• Pray for those who have been affected badly in Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu by the cyclone namely THANE. The losses are phenomenal.
• Our family nest has been emptied once more when we had to leave Persis and their son John in their home at Trichy with Setphen.  Pray for Persis and the baby for they need to improve in health.  Prayer is needed for Jaya as she goes through these changes.

No matter what you have gone through in your life, no matter how much your life feels like a heap of ashes, the promise of God is that He will replace the ashes of your life with a crown of beauty.  Let us note some of the experiences of ashes that we go through:

God Beautifies the Humble

Abraham said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.” (Genesis 18:27)  Abraham humbled himself as dust and ashes, but God honoured him and his faith . God made him a great nation.  He became the father of faith.

God Beautifies the Forsaken

Tamar was forsaken by Amnon.  (2 Samuel 13:19)  “And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went. “. Tamar was tricked by Amnon and then raped by him.   We know that suddenly Amnon’s love for Tamar turned to hatred.  But  God beautified Tamar by vindicating her in the death of Amnon.

God Beautifies Those Who Mourn Deeply

In Esther 4:3 we read, “In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing.  Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”  But their mourning turned into joy when the Lord wonderfully intervened.

God Beautifies the Lonely and the Persecuted

Psalm 102:6-9, 12-13 says, “I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears….But You, LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.”

God Beautifies Those Who’ve Lost All But Him

Job 2 8 says, “Then Job took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.”  Job lost everything.  But God blessed him with double portions.

God promises that He will give us BEAUTY to replace our ashes.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for beautifying me with Your blood and holiness.

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Praise God for the good rain we had in India the past few days.
• Praise God we were able to plant rice in the midst of rain.  Pray that we will have a good harvest.
• Praise God for all the preparation for the celebration of Christmas.
• Praise God for the marriage of Ebenezer with Mariaselvam conducted on November 23 at Vatrap.
• Pray for Anand who has a problem of pus coming out of his ear.  His mother is a mentally affected person and father died some years ago.  He is being treated. Pray for the healing.
• Pray for Deborah in our Home who gets fainted often since there is some growth in her nostril.

“The Lord is with us.  Do not fear….” (Numbers 14:9)

This morning I am encouraged by the following thoughts. I pray that you also will be blessed by reading this.

God Has the Greatest Plan for You

In Exodus 3:8 we read, “He has prepared a good and large land flowing with milk and honey.”  Num 13:1 says, “I am giving to you…”  Joshua and Caleb said, “The land is exceedingly good land.” God has a larger plan and blue print for us.  Let us come out of our nut shell and selfishness to discover His plan and purpose.  It is the highest and most amazing plan.

God Has the Greatest Presence (Glory) in You

Numbers 14 :9 says, “God is with us”  The presence of God nullifies any kind of alarming situation, sickness and the devices of satan.  When the people took stones to stone Joshua and Caleb, the glory of the Lord appeared  to protect His children. So we have the greatest glory and presence of the Lord.

God Has the Greatest Power with You

Caleb said, ” Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well to overcome it.”  His power enables us to conquer any soul or situation.  I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.  “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

The above facts are biblical and true, but what is the problem of Christian believers?  God answers with the question. ” How long will they not believe Me?” (Numbers 14 :11)

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to trust You. Please clothe me with your plan, presence, and  power. Amen

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Praise God for the sweetest person came into the church with tears, and we prayed for her son to be healed. We got the answer instantly that he got discharged from hospital. Thanks be to God.
• Thank God for I have been experiencing a great healing touch of God to people for whom I plead.
• Pray for our theological students who are writing their end of semester exams.
• Pray for a mature house parent for our Living Hope Home girls.
• Pray that the boys and girls at Living Hope will grow in truth and love.
• It gave me immense joy in meeting an older saint of God in Magee.  She has been praying for me and the ministry in India even since I met her in 1991.
• Praise God for my wonderful friends and their sincere love for God and His children
• Pray for some who wandered away from God and families.
• Pray for God to strengthen Joel with his responsibilities.
• Thank you for your prayers for Persis our daughter who gave birth to a boy baby on October 17th. Pray for Jaya who gives care.

“Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand,…” (Jeremiah 18:6)

The Lord blessed me as I pondered over the Potter and the clay. Let me share with you what the Lord meant when He spoke the above-mentioned words to Jeremiah almost 2600 years ago.

You Are Safe in His Hands

The Potter’s hand is the safest place for the clay.  Yesterday I spent time praying with my friend Bill in an ancient Church.  Both of us felt the presence of God, and I felt I was in the hands of God which filled me with serenity. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open  unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)  You are in the safest place in the hands of the Lord. The Lord is your Shepherd, and you shall not want.

You Are Shaped by His Hands

The Potter has total control over the shape of the clay. The clay can never say to the Potter, “He knows nothing.” (Isaiah 29:16)  The Potter will continue to mold, and if the clay begins to  harden,  He will crush it down and pour a little water on it and begin anew.  At times the Potter has to remove the tiny stones or thorns for they are a hindrance in the whole work of shaping.  Thank God for the whole process of being shaped.

You Are to Serve for His Use

Acts 9:15 says, “You are a chosen vessel of God…”  “You are a vessel unto honor” (Rom 9:21)  “he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Tim 2:21)  We are made not for ourselves but for His use and made ready for every good, caring and compassionate work of the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, my God, let me be a vessel for honor, purified and useful for the Master.  Continue to mold me, fill me and use me. Amen.

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Praise God for the great time of Bible study and fellowship with His people.
• Praise God for the all night prayers done last night in India. I am sure they prayed for many of you.
• Pray for my son Joel who has some problem in his throat.
• Pray for the husband and wife whom I am helping to be restored in marriage. They have six children. I appreciate your prayers for this. Certainly I need their cooperation.
• Pray for the needed money to buy 2011 Christmas Garments for about 3000 people who are orphans, destitute, Bible School students, native missionaries, sewing girls, nursing girls and widows in our village prayer houses.
• Pray for all the students who write their semester and half yearly exams.  Our boys and girls in the orphanages need special prayers for their hard work.
• Thanks for your prayers for my daughter Persis and her newborn son. They are doing fine by the grace of God

Many times we are like the troubled sea which cannot rest.  There is always noise around or in us.  Our minds are full of worries, fear and concerns.  Just as it’s recorded in the 30th chapter of Isaiah we say, “we flee on horses”  We are quite busy about our work or something else. Sometimes the happenings of the past keep coming to our mind and causing distress.

Quietness Is Given by God

The Bible says,  “When God gives quietness, who then can make trouble?” (Job 34:29)  We need to concentrate on God rather than the issues and the problems.   It is He and He alone Who can cleanse the whole of the past and the ugly episodes that happened to us.

Quietness Gives Strength

Undoubtedly we grow weak, and we can be afflicted with physical and mental sicknesses if there is agitation in our mind and soul.  Calmness before the almighty God gives strength and power in our soul.  The Bible says, “In quietness and confidence is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)

Quietness Means Returning & Resting

The Bible says, “In returning and rest you shall be saved…” (Isaiah 30:15)  We must get back to God.  We need to realize that we cannot solve our problems.  Perhaps others, including counselors, may comprehend what you go through, but their capacity to help you is limited.    God alone can give salvation to our situation. And hence we need to return to God.

Quietness Is Very Precious

For our spiritual growth and well-being quietness is valuable and a rare commodity. In I Peter 3:4 we read, “… the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”  It surely pleases God when we quiet and calm our spirit.

Quietness Comes By Listening

Proverbs 1:33 says, ” But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”  When we quiet our souls and listen to God, there comes peace and fearlessness of any kind of harm.  Listening to God and His Word bring quietness and rest to our souls.

Let us desire to lead a quiet life.

Prayer

Father, lead me to quietness where I will rest and be fearless.  Amen

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Thanks for your prayers for Persis our daughter. She delivered a boy baby on October 17th at 6.30 am. Praise the Lord.
• Praise God that last Tuesday I was conferred with Honorary Doctorate by Wesley Biblical Seminary in US.  It was humbling to me.
• Thank God for the great time of experiencing the friendship and fellowship of Godly people these days.
• Pray for the forthcoming senate exams of our Bible College students.
• Pray for Joel as he shoulders more responsibilities.
• Pray for our home boys and girls that their prayer life be pleasing to God.
• Pray for the need of a few more staff in our nursing school.
• Pray for people who are in charge of various responsibilities be very sincere and faithful.
• Pray for Raja’s wife who suffers from depression.
• Pray for one of our staff Pushparani who lost her husband recently.
• Continue to pray for all our needs.

This week I have been praying for people with awful sicknesses.  The one unique thing we experienced was that we were able to see the healing by faith. So I thought it can be rightfully said that FAITH SEES.

A Suffering Woman’s Faith Saw

We read in Matthew 9:21 that the woman who suffered constant bleeding for twelve years thought, “If I can touch His robe, I will be healed.” She saw the healing even before she touched Jesus.  We read in Mark 6:56 that all the sick people, who touched at least the fringe of His robe, were healed. So the healing was seen even before the sick touched the garment of Jesus.  What they saw was that if I touched Jesus I would be healed.  Let us see the healing or the remedy even before we ask for it.

Paul’s Faith Saw

Paul went to Philippi in obedience to God when he was hindered by the Holy Spirit. As he was sitting with a group of women at the river, he saw in faith in a corner of his mind that a strong Church was going to be established in Philippi. As a result the whole of Europe would be filled with churches. (Acts 16:6-24)  I am sure when Lydia and household were baptized Paul most probably saw a greater thing was going to come.

David’s Faith Saw

When David decided to fight with Goliath, he saw in faith that all the assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear.  For the battle is the Lord’s, and He would give Goliath into David’s hands (I Samuel 17:47) We need to see through faith in any challenge.

Stephen’s Faith Saw

Even before Stephen was stoned,  he saw heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. ( Acts 7:56)  Heaven could be seen and assured through faith.

Faith sees through any situation, sickness , turmoil and task.  May the Lord help you to have faith to see miraculous healing , remedies and greater exploits.

Prayer

Father God, help me to have faith to look at everything I do, attempt and go through. Amen

Praises & Prayer Needs

• Praise God for His enabling grace in the preaching in US.
• Thank God for more than a hundred people responded to come to the altar in Townsend.
• Praise God for the great time I had with my friends in PA.
• Pray for the convocation in which WBS will confer honorary Doctorate on me on this Tuesday. If you are close to the seminary in Jackson MS, you are welcome to this celebration.
• Praise God for what He has done in and through me in the past. It was all His doing.  Let  all glory and honor be given to His name. I am nothing but his servant.
• I want to thank you all for your encouragement, love and support and the recognition belongs to you rightly.
• Pray for Joel who takes care of the ministry.  Pray for all the needs to be met.

I was reminded today of the need to continue praying for peace and protection for our brothers and sisters in India.  While India doesn’t rank near the top of the list of countries with extreme persecution of Christians, believers there do face pockets of trouble ranging from general harassment to outright attacks.

There is a tendency to think that in a country like India which is the world’s largest democracy with a booming economy that tolerance and peace would be a given.  Not necessarily so.  While India prides itself on its diversity and tolerance, anywhere radical Hinduism takes hold, Christians are targeted. Radical Hindus generally contend that to be Indian is to be Hindu.  Any other religion is seen as a foreign intrusion and not truly Indian.  So much for tolerance.

If you are interested in reading about some of the incidents of persecution of Christians in India, here are some sources of information:

• Christian Persecution India
• Jesus Saves. But Not In Karnataka
• Hindu Extremists Force Orphans to Pay Idol Worship Fee

While we tend to want a political solution to this type of problem, I believe Jesus is calling us to turn fully to Him, to seek Him and to trust Him to work in these situations.

So let’s remember to intercede and plead in the Throne Room on behalf of our Indian sisters and brothers. And may He get all the glory when they are rescued!

“Continue to remember … those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3)