Pastor Gideon was murdered by Hindu activists after he planted a church.
Pastor Gideon was murdered by Hindu activists after he planted a church.
Feb. 01, 2018 | India

Pastor Gideon Murdered by Hindu Activists

[273] prayers in [14] nations have been posted for Pastor Gideon's church.

Hindu activists murdered a VOM-supported pastor in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in January. Pastor Gideon Periyaswamy’s body was discovered in his home on Jan. 20, 2018, by members of his congregation. The pastor’s killers hanged his body with a noose around his neck to make it look like a suicide, but it was clear that he was killed before being hanged. Gideon, 43, was trained through a VOM-supported church planting ministry in 2015 and went on to plant a church in a high-caste Hindu area near the city of Chennai. He experienced severe opposition to his ministry from Hindu activists, and he frequently asked for prayer. But according to Morning Star News, he also told a fellow pastor, “If the Lord permits it, I would die as a martyr for Christ.” Christians in the area are demanding that police investigate the murder, but the government and Hindu activists are insisting that the pastor committed suicide, according to VOM sources. Gideon was unmarried at the time of his death. Pray for the family and congregation Gideon left behind, and pray that the ministry in that area continues. Pray that other pastors in the region will not give in to fear.

Write your own prayer for Pastor Gideon's church

  • Bring millions to faith as a result of the way Pastor Gideon died and how he lived.
    Mark M - USA
  • Dear God, thank you for Gideon's time of grace. Please comfort those grieving, and strengthen other pastors who may fear a same departure. Remind all of your loving grace and promise that You are with us through all things. Bring justice to the area in Your time. Thy will be done. Amen.
    Delphine H - USA
  • Father let these believers work out their salvation with fear and trembling; for it is you who works in them, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure. Let them do all things without grumbling or disputing; proving themselves to be blameless and innocent, Your children above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.
    Kendall P - USA
  • Lord God I pray for the Christians and Pastors to remain in faith being bold and strengthened in the Lord. May they never give up Hope but continue preach and sharing the good news of the Kingdom of God and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. May they keep the love for their persecutors and praying for them and may more souls be added to your Kingdom.
    Sipho S - South Africa
  • Lord I ask that you strengthen the faith of Pastor Gideon's congregation. Give them a greater sense of unity and urgency to come together for worship and drawing closer to you so that they may spread the good news even in the face of persecution. Give them the boldness of disciples knowing that heaven awaits. Amen.
    Ingrid V - USA
  • Father let these believers be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Doing nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than themselves. Having the same attitude which was in Christ. Let them rejoice in the Lord always.
    Kendall P - USA
  • Dear Jesus, defend the name of your faithful servant Gideon who was murdered. Convict the wicked men who did this to repent and come to you for forgiveness. Convict the government leaders of the wrong that was done. Bring many to know You because of Gideon's life and sacrificial death.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Father please strengthen the Christians in India with renewed faith and perseverance to bring millions of Hindus to you Jesus. They are your children and walk in darkness with not enough leaders to bring them to you. Grow your Churches in India and place your Pastors in them giving them the resources and love and guidance to do your work. Amen.
    Laurie T - USA
  • Heavenly Father, thank You that Pastor Gideon's death is not in vain, that his willingness to live or die as You permit testifies of his absolute trust in Your Sovereignty. May his example of devotion motivate Your people everywhere to be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to Your glory & praise, in Jesus' name amen
    Carol S - USA
  • Father, I thank you for welcoming Gideon home. Reward him for his faithfulness on earth. Comfort his family and his church. Do not let other Christians in his region be discouraged. Excuse of his death. Instead embolden them to continue sharing your gospel of hope and peace. Give them live, even for their neighbors who persecute them. Amen
    Lauren T - USA
  • Holy Father, bless those grieving Pastor Gideon's death. May there be justice for his murder. May his life be an example to everyone who knew him, and may the faithfulness of those left behind convict those who do not believe in Your son and who need salvation. Fill them with Your Spirit and hold them close to You as they live for You. In Jesus' name
    Eli S - USA
  • Abba Father I call on your name for such a time as this. I pray for the family and Congregation that Pastor Gideon left behind.May their faith increase and stand firm for each other for the sake of your ministry. I pray may justice be done and may these killers come to give their lives to you.I pray for the security of Pastors in this community. Amen.
    Evelyn F - USA
  • Lord thank you for pastor Gideon’s life and ultimate sacrifice for you. Thank you for his witness and the building up of the church in the midst of persecution. I pray for justice to be served and the truth to be revealed. Help the other pastors not to live in fear but to continue to bring the gospel to all who desperately need it. in Jesus name amen
    Cynthia H - USA
  • Jesus, it seems like such a waste to have this man spend time being trained up and then to have his life snuffed out. But we know you have it all in hand, and that you have allowed this. Please use it now to expand your renown and the glory of your mighty name.
    Brenda M - USA
  • Father honor your promise to meet the needs of those who seek you first. Comfort those
    mourning the loss of Pastor Gideon. Fill them with your peace and joy as they have been counted
    worthy to suffer for you. Remind them they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them.
    Let them not be alarmed by their opponents but to trust in you.
    Kendall P - USA
  • Use the death of Pastor Gideon to embolden your church in India. Strengthen them to raise their voice in praise and hope in a God who loves and offers mercy to all who wish to receive it. Help them to minister strongly and boldly to not only those who wish to love you but also to those enemies of you. Grant protection as you send your spirit to help
    Atacy U - USA
  • Lord, We thank you for Pastor Gideon's life and death, and that he is well with you in Heaven. Thank you for his ministry. Strengthen his church and family Lord. Please bless them greatly Lord in their work for you. And thank you for the powerful example they are to us in the West. Give them courage, multiply their faith, and remove their fears. Amen
    Susan G - Australia
  • Heavenly Father, I thank you for faithful servants who are willing to die for your name sake. I ask that you continue to strengthen the family and church members. Help them to encourage one another to stand faithful in the midst of persecutions and for them to remember your Word and trust that you will never leave them. In Jesus name, amen
    Susan D - USA
  • Father, pour out your Spirit on the pastors of this area. Give them the boldness you gave your apostles and prophets. Help them to continue delivering the message of Jesus. I pray for the believers, that they grow in you. I pray for the ones who did this, may they find no peace till they find you. Speak to the hearts of those who hear the Word.
    Polly C - USA
  • I pray for Pastor Gideon's family and congregation. May ministry continue in the area and they would not give into fear. May other pastors in the area not give in to fear but be strengthened and be strong in faith.
    Darlene E - USA
  • Father thank You for Gideon. I pray that his soul is resting with You. I pray for the other pastors in that area that they would not live in fear but would be bold in Christ. I pray that they would know that You are the true God and that Your Name would be proclaimed and become mighty in the area. I pray for a harvest large harvest in the area.
    Kia W - USA
  • I pray for the family and congregation of Pastor Gideon who was murdered. I pray that through his tragic death that God may bring good out of what Satan meant for evil. May you be strengthened and comforted by the Lord during your time of grieving. Your brother in Christ. Jeff Franklin
    Jeff F - USA
  • Father in Heaven, I pray the murder of Pastor Gideon would bring boldness in other pastors to preach your word and plant Churches in this region. All throughout India. I pray this would bring about a revival in the land. In Jesus name!! Amen
    Kenneth J - USA
  • Lord I pray for all the pastors in Jesus Mighty name. Keep them safe in your loving arms. Send a pastor to his congregation quickly, who's full of your Holy Ghosts power. Lord send legions of angels to surround all your people, so that the angels will fight for them. Make them to run in fear from the weakest Christian to the strongest.
    Shirley W - USA
  • Father I ask in the name of Jesus that Gideons faith will embolden & encourage other believers, that those who killed him would be drawn to Jesus because of Gideons faith in you, I pray his congregation will continue his work and minister to others as you have called them to.
    Debby S - USA
  • Heavenly Father we come before you clothed in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and we stand with these persecuted Christians and their families as they take authority over the forces of darkness in their area. As God protected Daniel and made him triumph over his enemies, these workers have all Your power and authority. Praise God.
    julia i - USA
  • Dear Lord
    I pray for Pastor Gideon's family and church. I know Pastor Gideon is now with You; receiving his reward for dying for his Faith in You. May those that killed him be convicted and have a change of heart - may they come to You. Give those that knew and loved Pastor Gideon comfort and healing.
    In Jesus' name I pray, Amen
    Madison F - USA
  • Lord, how awesome you are to build men such as this. May his life and death burn as a testimony in the region and inspire others to trust you.
    Margaret D - USA
  • Precious in your site is the martyrdom of your children -Great is Gideon’s reward! Lord I pray people in this village will continue courageously and boldly for Christ and that Gideons murders would come to know you and healing power of your love and forgiveness...Please provide for all of your people as the battle intensifies everywhere.
    Julie R - USA
  • Bless his family keep them under the blood of Jesus
    timothy y - USA
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