Friday, November 18, 2011

Devadasi


Even though the practice is outlawed and pressure from human rights groups mount, an evil practice continues.

In India, poor people (especially the Dalits) sometimes dedicate their young daughters to a life of service in a local temple. These girls are Devadasi, "god's female servants." They function as prostitutes, serving priests, temple workers, local landlords, and other men with money or power. Their patron deity is supposed to be pleased by this. Parents who give up their daughters in this way are hoping to appease the gods. The practice is an ancient one, spread all over India.

A law bans the Devadasi, but there are more than 450,000 of them. Poverty and the girls' position in the caste system render the law ineffective. In their villages, the girls are considered public property. They are not allowed to marry or have a family life. If they attempt to give up their role, their society rejects them. If they flee to a city, they have little choice but to practice the only trade they know. They are trapped in a world of poverty and exploitation, and they often contract awful diseases.  

Yet Jesus can redeem their world. Please pray that many of these communities will obey national laws and stop this practice. Pray for the local churches that are ministering God's grace, restoration, and healing to these innocent girls.

"…But where sin increased, grace increased all the more…" (Romans 5:20)

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1) Invite President Russ Sharrock to speak in your church regarding Asia International Mission.

2) Help support our Children’s Home

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Prayer Requests
Pray for a harvest of new believers in India.
Pray for more sponsors to support and expand the work in India.
Pray that the new believers will grow in spite of opposition from anti-Christian groups.


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