Graham Staines was an Australian missionary who had served leprosy patients in India since 1965. His sons were 10 and 6 at the time of the murders.
Graham Staines was an Australian missionary who had served leprosy patients in India since 1965. His sons were 10 and 6 at the time of the murders.
Aug. 28, 2025 | India

Murderer of Missionary Family Freed from Prison

[6] prayers in [1] nation have been posted for India.

On April 16, 2025, prison authorities in India’s Odisha state released one of the men who had murdered Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two young sons, Philip and Timothy, in January 1999. Mahendra Hembram, who set fire to the car in which the family was sleeping, was sentenced to life in prison in 2003 but was granted early release for good behavior. Hembram’s release was celebrated publicly by Hindu nationalist organizations such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who called it “a good day for us.” The convicted murderer was greeted at the gate of the prison by crowds chanting Hindu slogans and welcoming him as a hero. The organizer of the attack, who was convicted of two other murders as well, was denied early release in May. Front-line workers expressed concern that the celebrations surrounding Hembram’s release signal an increasingly hostile tone across the nation that is emboldening Hindu extremism.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in India and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for India

  • Lord Jesus, You have said in this world we WILL have trouble, but we should take heart, for YOU, Lord Jesus have OVERCOME the world! John 16:33 Please help Your people to not get discouraged when we see hostility rising against us. Take what is evil, and use it for good, as only You, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, can do!
    Roberta V - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for believers in India: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong & united in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Bring Hindu extremists, particularly killer of a missionary & 2 sons, to repentance. Bring peace & hope to India, despite all this. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
    Lisa D - USA
  • Dear Father we pray halt the spread of Hindu extremism in India in spite of the release of the murderer Hembram. Move in the hearts of government officials to see that religious freedom is best for the nation. Protect your children in India and bless them with wisdom and courage.
    IJN, Amen.
    Lois Y - USA
  • Beloved Father: Please arise in defense of Your lambs in India to protect them from Hindu radicals. May this man, Mahendra Hembram, be convicted of sin by Your Spirit, & turn to Christ. Please soften the hearts of Hindu radicals that they would turn from their evil. Cause the church to grow throughout India. We pray in the Blessed Name of Jesus Christ.
    Mario C - USA
  • Dear Lord,

    Front-line workers expressed concern that the celebrations surrounding Hembram's release signal an increasingly hostile tone across the nation that is emboldening Hindu extremism. We pray that the only and true God will be shown to all who follow a false religion. Forgiveness given, that all may see Christ's glory.

    Amen!
    Chris R - USA
  • Lord, I pray for those who celebrate releases of murderers. I pray they turn to you and realize the error of their ways. Touch them with the Holy Spirit, and change their hearts. I also pray that these murderers do not get another chance to kill another person. In your son's Holy name, Amen.
    Brenda A - USA
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