Many of India's states are named after a particular language, and Telegana is home of most of India's Telegu speakers. Broadly speaking Indian languages are divided into the northern Aryan and the southern Dravidian branches. Telegu is a Dravidian language.

In the United States, South Asian communities jokingly call themselves "desis," and old religious and communal animosities are put aside in this foreign land. They use English as their common language in South Asia and in the US.

But each language group likes to have their own associations where they can speak the language of their hearts. For this reason, there are Telugu associations throughout the United States. Most of the Telegu speakers, or other South Asians for that matter, are from professional backgrounds. Many own businesses or practice medicine.

South Asian Hindus are a minority in the United States, so their religion is a means to maintaining their culture. They are already losing much of their cultural uniqueness by speaking English. Hinduism is a means to maintaining their cultural identity.

It will take believers who are willing to learn about Hindu cultures and appreciate them before they approach Telegu speaking people with the gospel. Some "desi" groups like Tamil speakers already have fellowships of strong believers. Someone will have to find ways for Telegu speakers to follow Jesus without feeling like they are abandoning what is left of their culture.

Those who follow Christ in India tend to be from "backward" (lower, less powerful) caste backgrounds. Forward (higher, more powerful) caste members are the ones who have the opportunity to move to Western countries like the United States. For this reason, there are very few believers among the Telegu speakers in the West. Pray for a breakthrough among forward caste Telegu speaking Hindus both in India and in the West.

* Pray for a T4T (Training For Teachers) movement to penetrate forward caste Telegu speaking people in the United States that will affect their communities in India.
* Pray for the kingdom of God to penetrate hearts of Telegu speakers

Scripture Prayers for the South Asian, Telugu-speaking in United States.