Bandoni and Naren were on their way home from a prayer meeting like this one when they were attacked.

MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- An anti-Christian extremist mob attacked a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary and a member of his church Monday as they returned home from a prayer meeting.

Bandoni Masih, who serves as pastor of a local church, and Naren Dandi, a member of that church, were bicycling home from a prayer meeting when 12 members of a local anti-Christian extremist group stopped them. They accused Bandoni and Naren of converting people through force and fraudulence. Then they dragged the men off their bicycles and beat them severely.

Bandoni was badly injured and had to be hospitalized.

The state where the attack occurred has an anti-conversion law on the books. This law spells out harsh penalties for anyone who uses fraud or allurement in order to get someone to change religions. If a Christian or Muslim is found guilty of violating the law, they can be sent to prison and be forced to pay a steep fine. Anyone who wants to become a Christian is required to seek permission from the government.

Most often, the existence of the laws gives local people the opportunity to harass Christians who are telling others about Christ.

GFA-supported pastors are often thrown into jail for alleged violations of the law. A few have been convicted and forced to pay the fine.

Bandoni asks for Christians to pray for him to recuperate quickly and for his attackers to realize the love of Jesus Christ in their lives.

He also asks for prayer that the government officials will prosecute the people who attacked him.

Jesus promised His followers that the world would hate them, and many GFA-supported missionaries have learned that this promise is true. Read their stories here.