Prayers for India
At the time of this writing, India has experienced a second wave of Covid-19 outbreaks. While developed countries have been more prepared to handle the virus, less fortunate nations such as India have struggled greatly—particularly since this disaster has also included debilitating economic troubles such as massive inflation, lack of medical resources, and food scarcity.
Our partners in India (ministers, evangelists, radio speakers, etc.) have asked for our help. Clayton Hartline, one of our partners focused specifically on this nation, provides his thoughts on the situation, as well as correspondence with our Indian friends who are struggling immensely right now.
India has been a part of my life and heart for a number of years. My father first went to India back in the late 60’s. I myself have been six times and—the Lord willing—I will continue to go. Through all that time we have been able to develop a network of relationships with churches, preachers, church leaders, and loving brothers and sisters.
Most recently India has been on my heart and in my prayers because of all they are going through due to the Coronavirus. The second wave of Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on this nation. The height of this second wave has seen nearly 400,000 cases a day and nearly 3,000 deaths a day.
The pain and suffering there is very real. The needs are abundant and desperate—only about 2% of India has been vaccinated. Also, social distancing is nearly impossible with over a billion people. Small houses often have numerous family members under the same roof. I am receiving messages, emails, and calls nearly every day from those who are hurting and need our help. Let me give you a sampling of some of the correspondence I have received recently:
From one brother,
The current situation is worrying in India. The present plight is overshadowed by the indifference and negligence of our government. While official death toll figures show little, the reality is quite different. We are living a life of disorientation and chaos.
Please pray especially for us. There is a high risk of loss of life here right now.
A total of 16 families from our local church is at risk. They do not have enough medicine or money, and there is no oxygen or beds available in the hospitals. Nearby hospitals are almost all completely filled with patients.
Every day there is a growing psychological concern about who is getting the disease, who might die, and how people can support themselves or others. One man with a disability lost his wife, mother, and brother. Subsequently, he became very lonely. Three ministers died, and their children were left without any financial support.
We sincerely and urgently request that you send support for these emergency needs—to provide medicine, food items, and a small amount of money to them. We can’t stop the deaths from happening, but we can comfort our brethren by sharing together.
Mostly, please pray for India.
From another,
Dear loving brother in Christ, we send our loving greetings to you.
We have started experiencing the adverse effects of the second Coronavirus wave since April. Day by day, the difficulties caused by this virus keep escalating. Many of our preachers associated with our ministry—including their families and church members—were infected by the virus, including my wife.
As many of our preachers work in villages and the church members are daily wage earners, they have no work due to the lockdown. Our preachers are now facing extremely difficult situations for survival.
Also, as people began to see the mounting number of deaths, many began to institute a self-imposed lockdown out of fear. Therefore, preachers could not worship in the church buildings, and preachers have not been able to receive any contributions.
I have started sending the preachers emergency financial help, so that they can buy Covid medicine and admit themselves or others to the hospital. So far, I have sent help to 15 preachers. If we have large-scale funds available, we could further help these preachers with emergency medicine, food supplements, provisions, vegetables, cooking oil, and the financial help required to get admitted and treated in the hospital.
During the first Corona wave, the preachers were able to show the love of Christ by sharing their emergency items they received with the people in the village. This behavior then helped these preachers to take the Gospel more and more deeply into the hearts of the people. Because of this, we have witnessed many baptisms and the establishment and expansion of churches wherever we have helped.
These preachers we helped in the first wave are continuously asking for help. We can repeat the same work again more effectively if funds are available on a large scale. This second wave is much more destructive and is taking many more lives very quickly.
During the first wave, there was a period of time—at least two weeks—where we had adequate time to help and save lives. Now in this second wave, people are dying within two to four days, and there is very little time to help. We are having to act quickly.
In the service of Christ,
His humble servant.
From another,
Our God is so good, and He is keeping us safe.
The second wave of Covid cases are increasing very rapidly and making India a very dangerous place. Despite Indians being vaccinated every day, Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing dramatically. The number of daily cases has increased from thousands to hundreds of thousands in just two weeks.
The virus is affecting the lives of many people. Since schools are closed, private school teachers are without jobs and are struggling for livelihood. Please pray for these people. Because of this situation, recently a private school teacher in Nagarjuna Sagar committed suicide, and his wife also committed suicide the next day, leaving their two children completely alone. In our congregation, there are three teachers working in private schools. We are trying our best to help their families. Please pray for them.
Yesterday, one brother from Guntur and another brother from Macherla congregation entered the heavenly rest. Both are such a wonderful people of God. It sure is a heavy loss to the congregation. Their families are saddened and depressed. Please pray for the comfort of their families.
We are pleading to God to show us His mercy. We lost many good preachers and brethren during the last few weeks due to Covid. Many young people in our locality also died.
Please pray for us and for our country.
Brother, in this moment we are looking to purchase Oxygen Creator—a piece of equipment that will help those who are sick.
We have volunteers to help the needy Corona-infected people if we have the funds. We can supply Medicine Kit for each patient—masks, sanitizer, and emergency inhaler. If in an emergency, we can join them immediately by ambulance.
In this lockdown, there is no work for labor. So we have been supplying vegetables, rice bags, and oils and daily needs to people while they are in home quarantine time.
If possible, we can purchase four beds with oxygen and ventilators for emergency patients arranged in our church building. If they are recovering from Covid, we can continue to council and comfort them.
It’s emergency situation in our area. People are very excited to receive help from God and His people.
From another,
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord. There are brethren in our local congregation, in Macherla and Guntur congregations, who are highly affected.
First, we distributed rice and provisions to those affected in these congregations. We also helped some preachers in nearby villages financially who are in need. Then we decided to reach the people of our town with the Covid relief.
We prepared a flyer and distributed it—it is also circulated in local WhatsApp groups. We also informed the local authorities regarding our work plan. With their help, we are locating the needy families in our town. Others are also circulating this flyer, so we are getting many requests for help from the needy local people. There are also several requesting our prayer support. So we are praying for them and encouraging them.
We decided to reach 50 Covid-affected families with relief. So we are now finalizing the list of beneficiaries. Today, we received rice bags, provision supplies and egg trays from a nearby town and stored them in a nearby school. Within two days, we plan to reach the community.
We need God’s protection during this time. Please pray for us for God’s guidance and His help as we are trying to reach these Covid-affected people and their families.
From another,
The incredible increase in needs is more than I have the energy to cook. But thank God for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve others. Pray for me.
Today I fed many Covid-affected people. God is good.
I also fed the homeless on the streets. I am happy to be used as a very small instrument in His hands.
Today, one of our Sunday school student’s family got infected by Corona. My husband tried to get a bed in the hospital. All day, we were in the hospital. It took that long to get a bed. I sent their children to their relative’s home safely.
There are so many cases that I am checking on folks everyday. Children and ladies here have been faithful to God.
When I see the environment in front of the hospital, I can’t stop myself. I am constantly surveying in the hospitals, friends, neighbors, and those on the streets. My dedication and my intention to help them is high.
The coming days are going to get much worse. I am thinking and praying a lot. Today, I am also fasting. I prayed and prayed with tears. I am thankful to God that He is using me to help the poor.
This is just a sampling of the correspondence I have received from India. I have also received many photos of the devastation that I won’t share here. There are numerous bodies of water where dead bodies are dumped, because there is no place to bury them (and because of the sheer numbers of those dying). I’ve seen pictures of people carrying around large oxygen cylinders to help those they are walking with to breathe. Any food that is brought is immediately given away.
The need in India today is great. People are sick. People are starving. People are desperate, and suicidal, and depressed. People are dying. Now is a time of great opportunity to show them the love of Christ.
India desperately needs Jesus. Only 2% of India is considered Christian. They need the hope of Jesus like never before. Help given has and will open doors for the good news of Jesus Christ—so that not only lives can be saved, but souls saved for eternity.
Pleases keep India in your prayers and in whatever way you can help please do.
Clayton Hartline
Clayton Hartline is a pastor and elder at Christ Healing Community church in Gonzales, LA. He serves as ambassador for One Kingdom speakers in India, as his family shares a rich history with the people there. He is married to his wife of 43 years, Debbie. Clayton’s greatest joy is watching Jesus transform people’s lives.