Gospel for Asia has come up with a novel initiative to get Christians praying for the millions of people living the reality of the Slumdog Millionaire movie on the Indian sub-continent.

Danny Boyle’s 2008 hit film shocked many living in the comfortable West with its portrayal of children surviving the tough slums and underworld of Mumbai.

Inspired by the movie, Gospel for Asia is hoping that its Slumdog Million-Prayer initiative will transform life for the more than 300 million Dalits who continue to face discrimination and oppression in the Indian caste system.

Dalits have traditionally been regarded as ‘Untouchables’, ranking at the very bottom of the caste system.

Although they officially renounced the Hindu Caste system on 4 November 2001, Gospel for Asia says “little has changed for them”.

Their low status makes it hard for them to secure employment beyond the most menial and degrading jobs, imprisoning them in a life of poverty.

Gospel for Asia is hoping that enough Christians will sign up to pray for Dalits on November 4 that over a million seconds of prayer will be offered for them throughout the day.

In the course of the next 12 months, the organisation is asking Christians to come together to achieve the goal of praying a million minutes for Dalits.

“More than 300 million Dalits are oppressed and downtrodden by the caste system,” the organisation said in its appeal.

“We can’t let this situation persist. We need you to be a part of this initiative which has the potential to transform life for millions, to stand with them and be a part of this movement for change.”


On the web: www.slumdogmillionprayer.org