In addition to the recent outsourcing of information technology tasks to India, the US has been outsourcing Christian prayers and thanksgiving to India as well, according to the New York Times. Although isolated to Roman Catholic services, there have been requests for prayers of grace, thanks, and need due to a short “supply” of church staff and clergy within the US.

People usually request such prayers through email, snail mail, or word of mouth. A small fee (in the form of a voluntary donation) can be given by Indian priests and pastors, although a fraction of that in the US. Income is used to support pastors in the growing Christian population in India. The Indian state of Kerala has been receiving the most requests so far.

Rector James Narithookil of Bangalore's Dharmaram College says that he welcomes such requests from overseas, which greatly helps his ministry and members of his seminary.