A Christian couple was hospitalized in northeastern Bihar state after being badly beaten by Hindu militants. After storming the home of Shri Lal Khatiyan and Asha Devi, the militants began attacking Shri and accusing him of paganism. When Asha intervened, she too was severely beaten. Later that day, about 100 Hindus armed with clubs reportedly took up positions around the village and threatened to kill any Christian who tried to file a police complaint.
Another troubling factor for our persecuted family in India is a new tactic that's being used against them. According to sources, assailants are now intentionally wounding pastors and other Christians in ways that will ultimately cause them to die.
Please pray for Shri and Asha as they now recover from this violent attack. May God completely restore them physically, while also healing their emotional wounds due to the trauma. Pray also that He will guide this couple, as well as other Christians in the community, as they discern how to follow Him amidst such hostility. May the faithfulness of believers in this area of India touch the hearts of the militant Hindus, resulting in them turning away from their hatred of Christ and His followers to embracing Him as Saviour and Lord.
For more information on India's persecuted church, please visit Country Report.