A missiological study of prayers for Hindu evangelism in Nairobi

Abstract

This study describes the different types of Prayers for evangelism to Hindus employed by Christian ministers whose ministries' focus is reaching the Hindus in Nairobi. A phenomenological research methodology supplemented by slight ethnographic method has been used in this study. Data was collected through participant observation and ethnographic interviews, then recorded and transcribed. The findings reveal that ministers to Hindus in Nairobi employ personal prayers and prayer walks more than spiritual warfare and prayer nights. There are various manners in which these prayers are employed. Many employ conversational approach as well as simultaneous praying. Prayers are often employed silently in the presence of Hindus and strangers. Fasting is relatively employed while praying in tongues is the least manner in which the ministers pray. In regard to places where the prayers are employed, homes, churches and Hindu temples are most common. Less common are prayer retreat centers and other natural environments such as mountains. Praying in the temples as well as Prayer-walking where there are Hindus prove to be enriching to prayers. Praying in such places enable people to see their objects of prayer and as such have more passion in their prayers. Claims of results to prayers employed prove that prayer enhances the efforts of evangelizing Hindus. In addition to direct praying for Hindus to convert to Christianity, praying for health and economic welfare of Hindus is common and has proved to be a means of witness to the Hindus of God's love and power leading to conversion from Hinduism to Christianity. Prayers are also employed for the ministers to be empowered and the new converts to grow in the Christian faith. Since prayer has proved to be beneficial in enhancing evangelism, for more fruit in Hindu evangelism ministers to Hindus should employ more of prayer warfare. More ministers should also engage in more protracted prayer sessions by going to pray in prayer retreat centers as well or engage more in all-night prayers. Fasting while praying should also be practiced by more ministers involved in Hindu Evangelism. There is little understanding of what spiritual warfare entails in the context of Hindu evangelism. More research should be done to ascertain what spiritual warfare is in the context of Hindu Evangelism. There is little if any aspects of Hinduism that influence prayer employed. This is because the ministers to Hindu do not spend much time studying about Hinduism. To make their prayers more effective they should study about Hinduism to identify how that can aid their prayers.