Pray for Orissa

[Ninan Verghese]

Let us fast and pray to God for His intervention

and protection of his people

Pray for Orissa: I Pray for Christians • Safety and security of lives and properties of Christians • Those who are hiding may return to their own homes • The villagers may not indulge in revenge, discrimination and vendetta • Resources to rebuild homes and lives • God may comfort them and give them peace II Church leaders • Boldness in the times of chaos. • Wisdom and Clarity in communication • Unity. • Intensify the good works • Partner with Civil right activists to bring guilty to book • Interact with media III General • Vishwa Hindu Parishad has equated the death of its leader to Death of Christ and claimed that there would be reconversion throughout Orissa. Pray that this plan may not succeed. • The ideologue of the Sangh Parivar that provides intellectual inputs may become foolishness similar to that of Ahithopel's advice against David. • Media may be taken to task by Press Council of India. Public Interest Litigation may be filed against errant media. • Police should be neutral • Many Christian young people are jobless. Church may begin holistic training that would make these young people employable. • The Government and NGOs focus on livelihood issues • The Church may starts schools, colleges, community colleges and other institutions that would break the cycle of poverty. • Politicians may do righteous deed instead of getting involving in riots against people. IV Need for help • There is a need for providing health care for several victims. Some of them need long term treatment in orthopedics or other specialized treatments. This has to be done by shifting these people to cities little far away. • Rebuilding of homes destroyed in riots. • A kit of vessel, stove and some food needed for all Christians • Books and notes for children who are attending school. • Re-building churches that were burnt or razed.