Bihari State, North India

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. You may also be interested in our daily prayer summaries during Ramadan via e-mail. Thanks for visiting!

Situated in North India, Bihar is the second largest state in India. The 16 million Muslims (est. population) of Bihar are within our grasp. They are not far from the Gospel, and if we will reach out to them, there will be a harvest. Christians of this generation have a wonderful opportunity!

Backward means forward for God in Bihari State

Biharis are in great need in so many areas. More than half of the population live below the poverty line and Muslims are among the poorest due to their status in society. Poverty is a constant reality in Bihar, found in the shame of a father who cannot provide for his family; the suffering of a woman falling sick; the constant hunger of a malnourished child, all this fuels the lifelong struggle for survival.

Few Christian workers want to go here, as it is considered by many as the “most backward state of India” with a high rate of illiteracy and underdevelopment. Schools and health clinics are scarce, roads are bad, and crime and corruption flourishes. The Indian Church is culturally very distant from the Muslim communities.

God’s plan for Bihari State, India

Till now the forces of greed, exploitation, illiteracy, violence and malnutrition have combined to oppress the people. The one thing that can bring a lasting change to this situation is the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since India has a secular constitution guaranteeing freedom and propagation of religion, the greatest barriers to evangelism to Muslims are in the area of communication and cultural relevance. When the Gospel is presented to Muslims in a way they can understand, they are often eager to listen. Many are looking for spiritual power and Jesus is the answer. Muslims of Bihar are not very orthodox in their beliefs and they are open to new ideas, which provides a wonderful opportunity for Christians reaching out to Muslims.

God is already beginning to bring this plan into place, for the first time an Indian mission recently commissioned 30 new staff specifically to reach the Muslims of Bihar. Other groups are also forging similar plans. Though to date there are only a handful of converts, God has not forgotten these people, pray for the Gospel to go forth - resulting in changed lives and changed communities.

Pray for the Muslims in Bihari, India:

* Pray for those who are working among the Muslims of Bihar, for their spiritual life, health and family.

* Pray for the physical needs of the Bihari people; education, health care and jobs.

* Pray for a harvest, for culturally relevant fellowships to grow from within the Muslim communities with a strong emphasis on discipleship.

* Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in signs, wonders and healing among Muslims, demonstrating the saving and delivering power of Jesus Christ.