[2026 Ramadan] Day 13 On the day of the Lord’s power, a land of young people like the morning dew who joyfully commit their lives for Jesus and the gospel—North India! Arise, shine, the holy army of..

<North India>

India, located in South Asia, has a population of 1.4 billion—the largest in the world—and with an average age of 28, it is a nation of young people. It borders China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, making it the largest country in South Asia. As one of the cradles of the world’s four ancient civilizations, India has a long history and is the birthplace of many religions such as Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. As a result, religious pluralism is widespread throughout the country.

India is a land where the gospel was first received through the apostle Thomas, and a church was established early on, and where William Carey, known as the father of modern Protestant missions, carried out his ministry. It is also a land where many missionaries dedicated themselves through the Student Volunteer Movement (SVM) in the early 20th century. Today, India has the second-largest Christian population in the world, with approximately 80 million believers. However, most focus only on domestic evangelism and remain very passive in overseas missions, and only a very small number serve among Muslims. Although some young people, trained through student-led mission movements, are rising with the Father’s heart to go into Muslim regions, only a few churches show concern and pray for Muslims during Ramadan.

Furthermore, in April of last year, in a popular tourist area of Kashmir under Indian administration, armed assailants opened fire on local tourists, killing at least 20 people. The attackers reportedly asked Hindu tourists if they believed in Allah, and those who did not were shot. As this attack was believed to be linked to a Pakistani Muslim militant group, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated to the brink of war. Particularly in the border regions of Punjab and Kashmir, sounds of missiles and gunfire were heard daily, and in Kashmir, drones and missiles were launched even into civilian areas, leaving residents in fear. As a result, Muslims within India have increasingly been viewed as terrorists. Even when Muslims come to churches seeking to worship, they are often rejected out of fear that they may cause harm to church members.

Yet, the majority of unreached people groups in India are still Muslim. For the fulfillment of the Lord’s Word, the global church must rise to serve Muslims in India. Though Muslims in India are treated as second-class citizens—almost invisible minorities—the church must proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation as it serves them in His love.

As Ramadan begins, Muslims gather with their families to fast and read the Qur’an diligently. Even those who are not normally religious tend to participate during this season, caring for one another and fasting together. For many, Ramadan is not only a time of religious discipline but also a joyful season spent with family and friends, even celebrating late into the night.

In Islamic schools across India, children, adults, and even women diligently read the Qur’an. It is common to see children carrying Qur’ans throughout neighborhoods. Some young children even fast without drinking water. Through this, they strengthen their religious identity and unity.

However, they tend to be more tolerant toward Christians, who also face persecution from Hindus, and often do not strongly resist hearing the gospel. Therefore, Ramadan can actually be a strategic time to share the gospel more actively.

Sister A’s household, with many children and teenagers, had been visiting a nearby home every evening to worship and pray together, showing openness to the gospel. The sisters joyfully sang praises and prayed together with their younger siblings. However, as Ramadan began, they began to express a stronger Islamic identity. They said that singing is sinful during Ramadan and began fasting, emphasizing that they are Muslims. Even so, we pray that they will overcome the strong bonds of Islamic identity, rely on Jesus who gives eternal life, and grow in faith. Despite Ramadan, they continue to attend worship. Recently, the eldest daughter, Sister M, visited a church with us—and afterward, she expressed a desire to read the Bible! Hallelujah! God is at work among them. We believe that Muslims in this land will surely return to God.

Hallelujah! On this day of the Lord’s battle, when darkness seems even stronger during Ramadan, we believe God will raise up holy young people in this land who joyfully devote themselves as His chosen ones. We believe that the remaining unreached Muslim peoples of North India will overcome darkness and rise like the dew of dawn—becoming 10,000 holy MBBs (Muslim Background Believers) who will bring life to all nations.

[Today’s Prayer]

1. We believe the Lord will call forth holy young people in India. Let the Indian Church arise in missionary revival.

2. Have mercy on the Muslims of India and make them Your people through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

<Bangladesh>

Bangladesh, meaning “the land of Bengal,” is a nation where about 98% of the population is ethnically Bengali. After being separated in 1947 from British India into West Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), the country gained independence in 1971 due to discrimination and inequality from West Pakistan. Out of a population of approximately 170 million, about 90% are Muslim. The gospel has reached only about 0.2% of minority ethnic groups outside the Bengali majority.

Bangladesh hosts the Bishwa Ijtema, the second-largest Islamic gathering in the world, which began in 1946. Around 5 million participants gather in two phases from within the country and abroad, strengthening their Muslim identity. After the gathering, they disperse in groups to villages to propagate Islam.

In the summer of 2024, large-scale protests against long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League led to many casualties and national instability, including her resignation. In February this year, a general election resulted in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), an Islamist political party, gaining a significant majority in parliament.

While former Prime Minister Hasina was criticized for authoritarian rule and corruption, she was also seen as maintaining policies that restrained Islamist extremism and offered some protection to religious minorities. Now that the opposing party has taken power, fears are growing among Christians in Bangladesh about increased Islamist violence against other religions and the possible nationwide implementation of Sharia law.

Among Bangladeshi Muslims, some treat Ramadan lightly as a ritual, and more young people are choosing not to fast. Yet at the same time, many pursue spiritual and physical purification through fasting, and mosques across the nation are filled late into the night with people reciting the Qur’an.

With Ramadan following immediately after the election, there are concerns that increased political influence of Islamic groups may embolden extremists, leading to intensified persecution of religious minorities.

Sister N, who lives next to the church where we hold weekly worship, has been attending regularly since connecting with us. Last week, when asked if she truly believed in Jesus, she replied, “If I didn’t believe in Jesus, I wouldn’t keep coming to these meetings.” This week, her husband also joined the worship gathering. However, Sister N is currently facing persecution from neighboring Muslims who question why she converted to Christianity. We pray that the Lord will protect her and her family, strengthen her faith through persecution, and use her as a witness to share the gospel with Muslims who do not yet know the truth. We believe that every generation in Bangladesh will rise as those who follow Jesus—the truth—and who lay down their lives for Him and the gospel. They will arise as a holy army!

[Today’s Prayer]

1. In Bangladesh, which has entered a new era after the election, we break in the name of Jesus every spiritual force and power of Islam overshadowing the nation. May God Himself rule and reign through His truth and power. During Ramadan, may countless Muslims who cannot find true hope encounter Jesus through dreams and visions and be transformed by the gospel!

2. Pour out the power of the gospel and the Holy Spirit upon the churches in Bangladesh. Even in persecution, let them cast off all fear and boldly proclaim the gospel to Muslims during Ramadan!

3. Bangladesh urgently needs laborers for the harvest. Currently, only two families are serving in this land. Send many workers—especially young people from the Korean church and the global church—to shine the light of the gospel here!