Day 26. Kunbi in India (koon-BEE)
17,758,000
Gujarati
Hinduism
Kunbi, meaning farmer, is the name and main occupation of this people group. They are hard workers who live a simple life. From the Shudra lineage, most of them are classified as OBCs across the states of western and central India. They account for around a third of the people in Maharashtra.
Many efforts have been made to improve the social and economic status of the Kunbi. They are increasingly making use of the government educational opportunities available to them as OBCs. Some families in Kunbi villages near the major metropolitan areas like Pune, seek affordable English-medium schooling for their children; admission to Christian-run schools is highly esteemed.
The Kunbi are religious minded and god-fearing people; this fact is highlighted in their various customs and worship of Hindu gods and goddesses. The Kunbi fear Christianity’s many associations with Western culture, so it would be wonderful for them to meet Jesus followers who reflect His holiness and love so they can embrace the Good News.
Prayers for the families of the Kunbi:
Lord, send families following Jesus to live among the Kunbi who will show them the love of Jesus, bless them and learn their ways.
Lord, bless Your Holy Scriptures in their language (Hindi) to be spoken in the Kunbi homes and in the fields where they work. Open their hearts to understand the stories of Jesus are relevant to them and not foreign stories. Lord, speak to the Kunbi leaders, forgive their sins, heal and bless their families and land.
Lord, raise up Kunbi leaders who fear You. Fill them with Your Spirit so they can speak wisdom, overcome evil, pray in power to cast out demons and restore broken relationships. Lord, spark a movement of Kunbi to follow Jesus and learn all He taught.
Bless the Kunbi to embrace Jesus’ invitation: Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mt. 11:28-29)