June 2004: This page is being reconstructed with new information.
The information on this page may no longer be accurate.
GUJARATI
Population : 32,000
Religion : Hindu (majority), approximately 30% maintained their Muslimties
Language : Gujarati
Nationality Race : originated from India
% of Christians in this country : 1%
Scriptures in their own language : Bible (1823), NT (1820), Portions (1809)
Jesus film in their own language : available
Christian radio broadcast : FEBA, TWR
Gospel audio recordings : available
Mission agencies or church planters working : some in other countries
Most marriages in Gujarati societies are arranged. For the Hindu Gujarati, caste and social rank are very important considerations. The Muslim Gujarati are only allowed to marry those from selected groups. They also practice purdah, which means that the women are required to wear veils and remain isolated. Marriage is considered to be an alliance between two families, not just two individuals.
Although textiles, plastics, chemicals, and heavy machinery are produced in Gujarat, 70% of the working class are farmers. Wheat and grain are staple crops, and rice is produced in wetter areas. Monsoons are the key to existence for the Gujarati farmers. They are not yet fully equipped with machinery, but the use of tractors has increased.
Hindus worship many gods, some of which are animals. Cows are sacred, but they revere monkeys, snakes, and other animals as well. They teach such things as yoga and reincarnation. Hindu shrines contain sculptured images of their gods. Everyday priests wash and dress the images and bring them food. This is not considered idol worship since they believe the gods are actually present in the images. The Gujarati Hindus hope to better their positions in this life and in the life to come by exhibiting charity, being devoted to the gods, and showing mercy to fellow humans and cows. On the other hand, the Gujarati Muslims (usually Sunni), often despise the Hindus. The Muslims look down upon their worship of millions of gods and are not hesitant to express the prejudices they feel.
In many countries where there are Gujarati communities, there are no missionary agencies targeting this people group. Sadly, even in Christian countries (such as Kenya) where there are three missionary agencies working among them, the Gujarati remain zero percent Christian. The Bible is available in their language, but the Gujarati must see Christianity lived out. only then will they understand that true freedom and peace is found in Jesus Christ alone.
Prayer alone has the power to release these Hindus from the bondage of worshipping many gods. Likewise, only intercession can break the strongholds of Islam.
PRAYER POINTS
- Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Gujarati bound.
- Ask God to call out prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
- Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send many laborers into Myanmar and even to other countries to share Christ with the Gujarati.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Gujarati towards the Gospel.
- Ask God to create a hunger within the hearts of the Gujarati to know the Truth.
- Pray for a strong church to be raised up among the Gujarati as soon as possible.
links to related information: www.joshuaproject.net , http://www.bethanynorth.com/profiles/profile1.html
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