Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: June 19, 2021
Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.’ (John 11:25 NLT)
When Lazarus died, Jesus wept alongside his friends. But he also promised the wondrous gift of eternal life to all who believe in him. We hold onto this truth as we pray for the family of Nehemiah Christie, who passed away on 6 June at the age of 40.
‘Many ask me, “Nehemiah, why do you support these people?” But I say to them, “Is this not their human right? To practice their faith?”’
As a Christian leader and human rights defender in India, Nehemiah lived under the threat of violence every day. Yet he still devoted his life to pursuing justice and championing religious freedom for everyone.
It was CSW’s privilege to partner with Nehemiah over a number of years, including through our Defend the Defenders campaign in 2017 and at the 2018 UN Human Rights Council, where we raised concerns together about violations in his home state of Tamil Nadu.
We give thanks for his friendship, his faith, and for the countless lives he impacted through his tireless advocacy work in South Asia.
Join us in praying for his wife, Deepika, and their two young daughters, Elena Abigail (12) and Neginah Yale (4).
In summary, please pray:
- For the presence of God to comfort and sustain Nehemiah’s wife and daughters through their loss, as well as all those who knew him as a friend and colleague at CSW.
- Give thanks for Nehemiah’s commitment to upholding the fundamental freedoms set out in the Indian constitution, asking that his advocacy work continues to bear fruit.
- For the protection and perseverance of human rights defenders across South Asia to keep on pursuing justice.