Introduction / History

What good does it do to have public jobs and special consideration for university admissions if you have a low literacy rate? That is the situation for the Padharia, a low-status scheduled tribe of Gujarat.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They live as landless agricultural workers. Some fish and rent out their boats.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of the Padharia profess to be Hindus. Their brand of Hinduism is influenced by traditional animism and a veneration for their ancestors. As a tribal group the Padharia are considered by higher castes to be a lower community, outside the Hindu system.

What Are Their Needs?

Since many of the Padharia are illiterate, they are unable to read the Bible that is available in Gujarati, their primary language. The gospel will have to be presented to them in oral and visual forms.
Believers can show the Gujarati JESUS Film. Medical teams of believers can bring the benefits of modern medicine to the Padharia.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to increase the tiny number of Padharia who follow Christ through disciples who make more disciples.
Ask the Lord to give the Padhar a hunger for his word and the desire to have their sins forgiven.
Pray the Lord would raise up a church planting movement among the Padhar soon.

Scripture Prayers for the Padharia in India.