Prayer against sexual violence in India in response to assault of activists

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/22/asia/india-gang-rape/index.html   PHOTO: AFP

Lord, we grasp for words when considering the problem of sexual violence in India. It is absolutely overwhelming to read of an 8-year-old girl held captive in a Hindu temple for five days of rape and ultimately murder. We are sick to our stomach to think of girls being gang-raped and set on fire, only to have their attackers “punished” with pushups and small fines. And now to learn of the five women who were protesting sexual violence, only to be dragged to a forest and raped by village leaders! And to know that women who speak out may be murdered or their homes burned down! Lord, we are sick with grief about the problem of sexual violence in India. We are flabbergasted that men could possibly view women and children with such lack of humanity—and then go unpunished. So today, though overwhelmed, we cry out against rape culture in India. We pray for whatever it takes to change that part of the culture. We pray for protection for those who speak out, and for courage for more to join them. We pray for masses of Indian citizens, including law enforcement members and community leaders, to mobilize in protest of this scourge so things can actually change. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.