Indian elections: how you can pray

Indian elections take place between 14 April and 1 June. Please join in these prayer requests from Open Doors local partners in India, asking that the elections would be peaceful and fair, and that our church family would be protected.

Nationwide elections are taking place in India between 19 April and 1 June, in seven phases across different states. The results will be known on 4 June. Christians in India are asking their global church family to join in praying during these elections. These believers know that religious freedom is at stake. Freedom of religion or belief is a constitutional right in India – but Hindu nationalists are increasingly threatening that right.

• 10 things Christians should know about India's elections

Elections are scheduled for 19 April in Manipur. The state hit headlines last May when ethnoreligious violence broke out between Kukis and Meteis. Christians on both sides were disproportionately targeted. “The election in Manipur will see the response of the people and which political party is supported," says Priya Sharma*, a local Open Doors partner. "The year-long violence with no political intervention has left the people concerned about their future. There is intercommunity distrust, tension and division. The people of Manipur expressed that they want peace, stability and unity. The results of this election will show the future course of the state, whether the violence continues, or the state will experience normalcy and harmony." 

As the elections continue, you’ll find the latest prayer points from Open Doors partners in India, and other local believers, on this page.

Pray for the election process

• Pray for peaceful, violence-free campaigning and elections, and that there will be unity between Christians
• There are instances of some opposition leaders being arrested for corruption. These allegations may or may not be true, but will certainly affect the elections. Pray that people are able to make the right decisions
• Pray that people in the country will elect the right candidates without being influenced by false or misleading propaganda. Pray for truth to prevail and for citizens being able to make informed voting decisions.

Pray for Manipur elections

• "Pray for a fair-minded and unbiased government to come to power, and for a peaceful and smooth election process," asks Priya Sharma
• Pray for the Manipur government to favour all communities, govern with equality, and that they would be sensitive to the human rights of all communities and tribes 
• Pray for the persecuted Christians, especially Christians living in relief camps, that they would not be threatened by the religious extremists and have the freedom to cast their vote freely
• Pray that this election will put an end to the ongoing violence and disputes in Manipur
• Pray that this election would give the Manipur Christian community the freedom to worship and gather freely 

Pray for the impact of the election results

• Pray that the government that comes in serves the best interests of every citizen, including religious minorities
• Twelve states in India have anti-conversion laws, which are often used to harass and target Christians. Indian believers fear that the election results could see more states adopt these laws, or even the implementation of a nationwide law. Pray that this wouldn’t happen, and that existing laws would be repealed.

Pray for Christians facing persecution and discrimination

• Christians were attacked during Holy Week and Easter celebrations. Pastors have been arrested and believers have been attacked in a few incidents. Christians have been falsely accused of forced religious conversion, including one case being lodged with local authorities. Pray for the Christians in India to experience God’s security and protection and continue to stand strong in the face of persecution
• Christian NGOs are being labelled agencies of religious conversion and having their licences cancelled. Pray for India’s Home Office to have a discerning mind focused on justice
• Tribal Christians continue to face attacks and threats from religious extremists. Pray for the persecuted Christians who are expelled from their homes and have lost their livelihoods, particularly in Manipur. In many places, church services are banned and churches are closed. Please pray for God’s favour in this situation
• Pray for the state of Chhattisgarh (in Central India) where attacks on believers and churches are on the rise after the BJP came to power. Christians are protesting and appealing to the state government to intervene and punish the offenders
• The north eastern states are witnessing rising number of attacks on Christian institutions. Christian colleges are being targeted and threatened constantly. Several laws and policies have been introduced to target the Christians, such as a bill in Assam to criminalise prayers for healing. Please pray for God’s sovereignty in these situations, and for believers to know and trust His peace.

*Name changed