Day: April 15, 2013

Please pray for Christians in Pakistan – World Watch List #14

Peanut Gallery: Persecuted Church in Pakistan – World Watch List #14

Discrimination impacts all aspects of daily life. Opening a new church building is virtually impossible and emigration of Christians continues unabated. The Christian community is very vulnerable and sexual assaults on underage Christian girls by Muslim men continue to be reported.

pakistan mapPAKISTAN
Population: 180 million (5.3 million Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Islamic Republic
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism/Dictatorial paranoia/Organised corruption

Christians are caught between Islamic militant organisations, an Islamising culture and a weak government with a military complicit in fuelling Islamic militants. The Rimsha Masih case prompted a debate on blasphemy laws, but others still face charges and extremist groups continue to incite hatred for Christians. Many Christians are uneducated manual workers who suffer unfair treatment from employers. Muslim men continue to sexually assault underage Christian girls. Opening a new church building is virtually impossible and emigration of Christians continues.

Asia Bibi
Asia Bibi

PLEASE PRAY:

  • Praise God that the laws of Pakistan give Christians considerable freedom to run established churches
  • Give thanks that the Christian population is growing and a steady but significant trickle of Muslims are joining churches
  • For imprisoned Christian Asia Bibi, sentenced to death on blasphemy charges.

PERSECUTION DYNAMICS

Persecution has been in evidence in Pakistan for many years and the country is set to surpass Indonesia as the world’s largest Muslim population by 2030. Christians account for 2.5 per cent of the population.

Rimsha Masih
Rimsha Masih

In 2012 the case of Rimsha Masih, who was accused of having desecrated the Qu’ran, gained international attention. After three months in detention she was finally released in September and later exonerated of all charges. The case prompted a debate on how blasphemy laws are misused to target innocent people. Extremist groups continue to incite hatred for Christians: at the time Rimsha was released, other Christians were facing blasphemy charges.

Pakistani Christians search for salvageable belongings from the remains of their razed houses in Lahore on Monday (11 March 2013)
Pakistani Christians search for salvageable belongings from the remains of their razed houses in Lahore on Monday (11 March 2013)

Discrimination impacts all aspects of daily life. Opening a new church building is virtually impossible and emigration of Christians continues unabated. The Christian community is very vulnerable and sexual assaults on underage Christian girls by Muslim men continue to be reported. Many Christians are uneducated manual workers who suffer unfair treatment from employers. There is, however, freedom to run established churches and the Christian population is slowly growing. Despite this, society neglects the Christian minority. Extremist views may well gain popularity in the coming elections, to the disadvantage of minorities.

Morning Reading: Luke 18:35-43 NLT – mercy

Reading: Luke 18:35-43 NLT

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind beggar was sitting beside the road. When he heard the noise of a crowd going past, he asked what was happening. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

image
“Healing of the Blind Man”
by Brian Jekel

“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him. As the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”

And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Intercessions: Taizé

O Christ, born of the Father before all ages, you took upon yourself our humanity and you rose for us: we worship you.
— Glory to you, O Lord.

Son of God, Source of life, we invoke your goodness upon us and upon the entire human family.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Allow us to live by your life and walk as children of light in the joy of Easter.
—Hear us, Lord of glory.

Increase the faith of your Church; may it faithfully bear witness to your resurrection.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Comfort all who are burdened, and engrave in their hearts your words of eternal life.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Strengthen those who are weak in faith, and reveal yourself to doubting hearts.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Give strength to the sick, support the elderly and reassure the dying by your saving presence.
— Hear us, Lord of glory.

Liturgical Music: “O Lord Hear My Prayer” – Taizé

Prayer: Taizé

Risen Christ, through the Gospel your voice makes itself heard softly. You tell us: “Why worry? Only one thing is necessary, a heart attentive to my words and to the Holy Spirit.”