What God is Saying

Sing to the LORD; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. — Psalm 96:2-3

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Prayer for Pakistan


Emergency Prayer Alert - PAKISTAN
Urgent Prayer for Believers in Pakistan
WIN PRAYER ALERT
Two Christians were shot and killed in Faisalabad, Pakistan on July 19, 2010.  The men had been accused of blasphemy and were attacked as they were being led to a custody cell.  These murders are another sign that violence against Believers is on the rise in this Muslim nation.

Pakistan FlagSince the deadly attacks in Gojra in 2009, in which eight people were killed and more than 100 homes burned, violence against Christians has been escalating in Pakistan.  In recent months, there have been numerous accounts of Believers being falsely accused, arrested, assaulted and even murdered.

In 2010, a Believer was killed with an ax, six others working with a Christian humanitarian agency were slaughtered, another had his home broken into, his daughters beaten, and stabbed.  Several have been charged with "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an.

Almost all of the violence has been carried out by Islamic extremists.  This comes as no surprise since Pakistan is home to nearly 170 million Muslims (second only to Indonesia in terms of Muslim population), and only about 3 million Believers.

In July 2010, mosques in Faisalabad held protest marches against Christians.  Demonstrators carried signs that read "Enemy of Islam Beware," and handed out fliers "calling for mass action against Christians."   Many Believers fled the region in response to these threats.

On July 19, 2010, the two men at the center of this uproar were in court.  Rashid Emmanuel and Sajjid Emmanuel had been arrested on charges of disrespecting the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad.  As they were being led to a custody cell, masked gunmen opened fire on them and both men were killed.

WIN partners pray for Pakistan on Day 28 of the WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK Praying Through the Window 9:  Global Terrorism and World Religions prayer calendar.
  Pakistan is number 14 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2010 of the worst persecutors of Christians.
Partner with us in strategic prayer:
  • Pray the Lord of Hosts to arise and do battle on behalf of His children in Pakistan.  (The Bible, Psalm 89:8)
  • Pray Believers are protected and provided for as they face this violent opposition.  (The Bible, Psalm 91:2)
  • Pray Believers will engage in spiritual warfare against these acts of terrorism and these demonically initiated attacks as well. (The Bible, II Corinthians 10:4-5)
  • Pray for Lord to enable our Brothers and Sisters in Pakistan to rejoice as they undergo these trials, remaining faithful to Jesus Christ and boldly proclaiming the Gospel.  Pray for them to forgive their enemies and those who persecute them (The Bible, I Peter 4:13,14;Ephesians 6:19Matthew 5:44)
  • Pray for comfort for those who have lost loved ones, been attack or imprisoned.  Pray for the Lord to be present with them, giving them His peace.  (The Bible, II Corinthians 1:3,4;II Thessalonians 3:16)
  • Pray the government of Pakistan will take action, arrest and prosecute those responsible for these criminal acts.  (The Bible, Psalm 11:7)
  • Pray for the hearts of Muslims to be pierced by the love displayed by Believers and by the message of the Gospel.  Cry out to the Lord for a great harvest of souls among the extremist groups.  (The Bible, Acts 2:37)

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