PRAY FOR INDIA

India is the seventh-largest country by area and has the largest population in the world. Its diverse geography ranges from the Himalaya Mountains in the north to the Thar Desert in the northwest to tropical rainforests in the southwest. Its climate is strongly influenced by summer and winter monsoons. India obtained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 and is now one of the world's fastest growing economies. Rural and urban poverty and religious and caste-related violence continue to impact Indian society. Most people speak Hindi, which is the official language of the government. English is used extensively in business and administration. In addition, there are 447 local native languages.

In India religious equality is enshrined in law, but in recent years there has been an increase in Hindutva that believes only Hindus are true Indians, and that Christians, Muslims and other religious minorities have 'foreign' roots and must be expelled. Hindu extremists seem able to attack others with impunity. In some parts of the country churches and homes of Christians are burned. Hindu extremists also target church leaders their wives and children with violent attacks. Some states are implementing anti-conversion laws, supposedly to stop Hindus being forcibly converted to other religions, but they are often used as an excuse to harass and intimidate. Christians most at risk are those from a Hindu background. In some areas they are pressured to return to Hinduism, facing social exclusion, discrimination, physical assaults and even death.