God sien, God voel, God hoor en is teenwoordig

As we continue our journey of prayer across the Ganges River Valley, we are nearing the end of this pilgrimage of intercession. Today we turn our hearts toward Patna en Kolkata, two influential cities whose histories and realities reflect different facets of life in eastern India. Patna, the capital of Bihar, stands in one of India’s poorest states. Many families surrounding this center of government still struggle with poverty, unemployment, and limited opportunity. Local lives are often shaped by rural hardship and urban migration in search of survival.

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is known for its rich cultural heritage, intellectual life, and artistic influence, with a long history as a center of learning and political thought. Yet beneath its historic beauty and prominence, many residents face overcrowding, hardship, and deep social need. Across both cities, human trafficking continues to prey upon the vulnerable. Caste-based oppression remains a painful reality for many marginalized communities. Many face barriers in education, employment, marriage, and social acceptance. Generations have grown up hearing they are less valuable because of the circumstances of their birth, leaving wounds of exclusion, shame, and hopelessness that shape families for decades. Behind the immense populations of Patna and Kolkata are millions of individuals loved by God, each carrying hopes, struggles, and a longing for dignity, justice, and hope.