*DAILY PRAYER UPDATE OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH*

*BY PERSECUTION RELIEF*

*FRIDAY, 23 JANUARY, 2026*

🧰 *PERSECUTION CASE UPDATES*

1. *Pastor Kalu Bheel from Chhatarpur district Madhya Pradesh state* informed that on 21/01/2026, the prayer hall where believers had been gathering for worship since 2010 was demolished by a JCB without any prior notice or opportunity for proper investigation.

Earlier, during a Sunday worship service, a group of people interrupted the prayer meeting, questioned the believers, and later filed a complaint with the Tehsildar, accusing them of illegal religious activities and unlawful occupation of government land.

The village Patwari (land records officer) is now claiming that the land allotment (patta) belongs to a different location, despite the fact that the family has lived, built homes, and farmed on this land for generations. He has suggested that a new prayer hall be built at the alternate location.

Following the demolition, believers are living in deep fear, and the pastor is currently in hiding due to threats and the risk of further harassment or violence from hostile groups.

A few weeks earlier, a believer named Kamlesh was brutally assaulted, and his leg was broken after he refused to give money for a village religious activity. He is now recovering and walking with the help of a stick.

Please pray for peace, courage, and comfort for the believers, protection of pastor, justice and truth to prevail. May the Lord be their refuge and strength in this difficult time.

2. *Sister Malin Englengpi (who is Pregnant) and her husband brother Bikram Tokbi from a village in Nagaon District of Assam state* are facing severe persecution because of their faith, from locals and own family members.

On 22/01/26, they were chased out from their home. They are in helpless state. Church, Kindly pray for God’s protection and provision for them.
– Informed by Lorence

3. A *church Cross was demolished by antisocial people* in a village in *Kanpur Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh state*, government land measurement is also currently in progress.

Another church in a different village in *Kanpur Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh state* is closed following strong opposition and threats from fundamental groups.
Please pray for the reopening of the church, believers’ safety, and God’s intervention
– As informed to Persecution Relief.

🧰 *TODAY’S PRAISE REPORT*

1. Praise God! *Evangelist Mr. Sunil Kumar, believer Mr. Birju, and Dharmendra from Kanpur Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh state* were taken into police custody and by the grace of God they were released without any FIR.
⁠- As informed to Persecution Relief.

🧰 *COURT HEARING UPDATES*

1. Sister Jeena informed that the bail hearing of *Pastor Rajkumar Yesudasan from Thane District, Maharashtra State* did not take place on 22/01/2026. Next hearing is on 27/01/2026. Please continue to fervently pray for him.

2. Pastor Rampratap informed that the next hearing of *Pastor Santlal, his wife Alakrani, and his brother Santosh from Fatehpur District Uttar Pradesh State* is on 29/01/2026.
On 22/01/2026 the hearing did not take place due to lawyers strike.
We request your continued prayers for their bail without delay. They have three small children aged 2, 5 and 7 years who are currently staying with a believer family.

3. *Pastor Balram, Madan Pal and Ramswaroop from Lakhimpur Kheri District, Uttar Pradesh State* who had their case hearing scheduled on 22/01/2026 got adjourned for *04/04/2026*. Church, let us earnestly pray for the complete closure of all the cases.
– as informed to Persecution Relief

4. The case hearing of *Pastor Uday Raj, Vimla, Akash, Abhishek, Raghuveer, Chinta Devi, Sushila Devi from Ayodhya District, Uttar Pradesh State* that was scheduled on 22/01/2026 got rescheduled to *12/02/2026* since the witness did not appear.
– as informed to Persecution Relief

5. *Pastor Chaggan Davar from Alirajpur District, Madhya Pradesh State* informed that he is asked to sign documents two consecutive days 22/01/2026 and again on *23/01/2026*.
He was charged under sections 3 & 5 of Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 2021. Church, please continue to pray.

6. The case hearing of *Pastor Joshua, sister Kiran and Asmit from Shahjahanpur District of Uttar Pradesh State* that was scheduled on 22/01/2026 got adjourned for *23/02/2026*. They were charged under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Church, continue to pray.
– As informed by sister Kiran

7. The case hearing of
*Pastor Biju Mathew from Meerut District, Uttar Pradesh State* that was scheduled on 22/01/2026 is rescheduled to *27/02/2026*. A discharge application is submitted. Church, continue to pray for divine mercy and for the case to be closed miraculously.

– as informed to Persecution Relief

🧰 *REJOICE IN SUFFERING*

*1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed”*.

Dear Church, Pray for the Persecuted saints to be anchored in eternal hope and to delight in their trials, even when their suffering is unpleasant.
Pray that they will experience a supernatural peace and joy that will outweigh all of their worries.

🧰 *CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION UPDATES FROM MEDIA*

*16 members of two converted families assaulted in Narayanpur: Houses destroyed, ration burned, tension in village; injured hospitalized*.

https://dainik.bhaskar.com/kl5P1BL07Zb

🧰 *PERSECUTION RELIEF DAILY BIBLE 📖READING PORTION ON PERSECUTION:*

🪔Genesis Chapter 23
🪔 Matthew Chapter 23

*SUPPORT & HELP FOR THE PERSECUTED*

*BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE*

If you know of any families of the Persecuted saints, who need any basic necessities, please contact us at +91 9993200020.

*SHELTER FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS*

If you are a Persecuted Christian in need of a place of shelter, we are willing to make necessary arrangements.

📲 WhatsApp: +91 9993200020

*LEGAL COUNSEL & IMMEDIATE HELP*

For all legal counsel and immediate help for the Persecuted Church, call our Toll-Free Helpline:
📞 1800-1234-461

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*APPEAL*

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🔗 www.persecutionrelief.org/pray/

*DISCLAIMER*
*IMPORTANT NOTE*

Persecution Relief Prayer Updates are posted with only one intention—to PRAY for the PERSECUTED and the PERSECUTORS.
Unauthorized sharing, reproduction, or dissemination of any part of these prayer points is strictly prohibited.
Persecution Relief disclaims any liability regarding the use of this information.

*FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION AMONG CHRISTIANS ONLY*