Rakhsha Bandhan

Rakhsha Bandhan

Aug 23, 2023 | Festivals and Holidays

Rakhsha Bandhan is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters or unrelated persons with a similar familial bond. “Rakhsha Bandhan” is a Sanskrit phrase translated as “the bond of protection, obligation, or care.”  In the main event of this festival, sisters tie a “rakhi” (amulet) around the wrist of their brother for his protection and then feed him a sweet treat. Brothers then give a gift and a sweet in return. 

This interchange also symbolizes the responsibility a brother has in protecting and caring for his sister throughout her lifetime. In rural areas where women marry outside of their villages, they are allowed to return home for this ceremony, and their brothers will sometimes escort them as they travel. It is common for brothers to be the official intermediary between their parents and their sisters’ married homes. In 2023, this festival falls on Wednesday, August 30th.

Let’s pray for Hindu peoples around the world:

  • Pray Hindus would accept the call to live in freedom through Christ Jesus and that siblings would model themselves after Jesus: “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:16,18
  • Pray that brothers’ and sisters’ love for one another would reflect Romans 12: 9-10. ”Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
  • Pray for siblings to embrace Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

 

LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
… bright, powdered pigments that are a trademark of this festival… LEARN MORE

THE NIGHT OF POWER
…the night when Mohammed is thought to have begun receiving the Quran … LEARN MORE

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
A celebration of light triumphing over darkness … LEARN MORE

Asanha Bucha

Asanha Bucha

Jul 26, 2023 | Festivals and Holidays

The holiday of Asana Bucha (also known as Asalha Puja or Dhamma Day) is celebrated in Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, and other areas with populations of Theraveda Buddhists. Asana Bucha remembers the day when Buddha preached his first sermon on the “Four Noble Truths’ from which all of his subsequent teachings stemmed. It also marks the day he established the Buddhist monkhood and the beginning of “Buddhist lent” which runs from July to October.

Celebrants of Asanha Bucha visit temples to listen to sermons, chant, and pay homage to the monks – often leaving gifts of flowers and candles for them. For some this day is known as the day before monks enter the monkhood for the rainy season. Many cultures also celebrate with candle-lit processions in the evening.

Let’s pray for Buddhist peoples:

  • Ask God that Buddhists would come to know Jesus as The Truth through which they can be made right with God (John 14:6).
  • Pray that Buddhists would hear the Message that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1John 1:5)
  • Pray that as followers of Jesus speak boldly for the Lord, He will bear witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:3)

LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
… bright, powdered pigments that are a trademark of this festival… LEARN MORE

THE NIGHT OF POWER
…the night when Mohammed is thought to have begun receiving the Quran … LEARN MORE

VESAK
A celebration Buddha’s birthday … LEARN MORE

Eid Al Adha

Eid Al Adha

Jun 20, 2023 | Festivals and Holidays

Every year Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha (June 29), the Feast of Sacrifice. It is considered to be one of the most significant holidays of the year and is celebrated for one to four days, depending on regional cultural norms. Eid al-Adha marks Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael, his son by Hagar. God, however, seeing Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, provided a ram to sacrifice in Ishmael’s place. 

Muslim families remember Abraham’s willingness to serve God by slaughtering a costly animal — a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. The animal is divided into thirds; one-third is kept for one’s own family, one-third for friends and neighbors, and one-third is given to the poor. 

Join us in prayer for Muslims during Eid al-Adha:

  • Ask God to show Muslims that He provided the ultimate sacrifice for us, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29b)
  • Pray that Muslims will understand Jesus’ sacrifice. “People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” (Romans 3:25b)
  • Pray the Good News of Jesus’ sacrifice will be joyfully shared among family, friends, and neighbors, producing a wave of new followers of Jesus Christ.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

VESAK
The celebration honors Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. Many believe that … LEARN MORE

THE NIGHT OF POWER
…the night when Mohammed is thought to have begun receiving the … LEARN MORE

THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
… bright, powdered pigments that are a trademark of this festival… LEARN MORE

Vesak

Vesak

May 31, 2023 | Festivals and Holidays

Vesak is considered to be the most important Buddhist holiday. The celebration honors Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death. Many believe that the three seperate events happened on the same day of the year throughout Buddha’s life. The holiday is known by many different names around the world. 

Generally, Buddhists celebrate the day by visiting temples, making offerings, and reflecting on Buddha’s teachings. Each region has its own additional traditions for observing the holiday. While some Buddhists, like those in Myanmar, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, celebrated Vesak in early May, Buddhist Thais, Singaporeans, and Indonesians will celebrate during the first weekend of June (2-4).

Let’s pray for Buddhist peoples:

  • Ask God to open their spiritual eyes to the truth. Pray they would discover the God of the Bible as Creator and Lord of all humanity. Pray they understand that Jesus is the only one who defeated death (1 Corinthians 15:3-9) and the only one through whom we can defeat death
    (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). 
  • Pray for gospel messengers to speak boldly and present Jesus as the only one who can forgive sin.
  • Pray for church planters to understand the socio-cultural dynamics surrounding Buddhist society so they find ways to start and establish new communities of faith (churches).

LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
… bright, powdered pigments that are a trademark of this festival… LEARN MORE

THE NIGHT OF POWER
…the night when Mohammed is thought to have begun receiving the Quran … LEARN MORE

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
A celebration of light triumphing over darkness … LEARN MORE