Christians congregations trust the Lord for safety, as police protection is often not assured. (GFA STOCK PHOTO)

MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- Gospel for Asia missionary Govind Ram and members of his congregation ask for prayer as they are appealing to their Superintendant of Police for protection. This request comes after local policemen did nothing to protect them from a group of 50 fanatics who, on June 15, savagely attacked the Christians.

Govind was in his church conducting a service when the fanatics came inside, dragged him and his wife outside and began beating them in front of their congregation. Several of the believers tried to help their pastor, but the extremists just beat them, too. The police were summoned, but the officers stood by watching, apparently powerless to control the mob of angry anti-Christians.

Extremists dragged Govind Ram outside a church building like this one and beat him badly. (GFA STOCK PHOTO)

“The believers, who ran to help the pastor, were also beaten up in the presence of the policemen,” GFA’s correspondent wrote. “Meanwhile, the police disappeared in the crowd without taking any action or protecting the pastor and the believers.”

After the incident, the extremists warned Govind not to continue ministering in the village, or face “dire consequences.”

Govind and some believers from his church went to police authorities to request future protection, but they were turned away. Their next step is to lodge a formal request with the Superintendent of Police.

Govind and the Christians in his village urgently request prayer that the authorities and local police will act justly and agree to help the persecuted believers. They also ask for prayer that God will give them wisdom and courage to stand firm in these turbulent times.

Four GFA missionaries in Madhya Pradesh, Govind's state, were injured in a car wreck.

Amit Patil is another GFA missionary who recently faced persecution.

Read more about life in Govind's place of ministry.