“We celebrate Easter knowing that at any time a suicide bomber could come in and disrupt our service, our worship, our prayer. Then I think: will it really be disrupted, or will I be sent into the fullness of worship?”
– Pakistani mother of two
In Pakistan, Christians are considered second-class citizens and are discriminated against in every area of life. Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy laws continue to be used to accuse Christians of insulting the Prophet Mohammed or the Quran. Even a false accusation can lead to mob violence.
Church leaders can be arrested if they don’t abide by the authorities’ wishes. Their arrests act as warnings to the church and intimidate them further.
Most Christians live in Punjab Province, where many incidents of persecution and discrimination occur. However, Sindh Province next door is also a notorious hotspot for bonded labour and many Christians live as modern-day slaves. During the pandemic, Christian day labourers were forced to convert to Islam in order to receive aid.
Additionally, a silent epidemic of kidnappings, forced marriages, and forced conversion of Christian girls continues to take place in Pakistan.
– Pray for safety for believers who are working dangerous and unsanitary jobs.
– Pray that any believers accused of blasphemy would be delivered from false accusations.
– Pray that the Pakistani Christian community will be encouraged and kept from exhaustion and despair.
