Christian Churches, Homes Burned in Pakistan

Thousands of angry Muslims went on a rampage last Wednesday in Jaranwala, Punjab Province, Pakistan, burning 19 churches and destroying 89 Christian homes, while damaging another 400. (Release International, Aug 21)

“We don’t have words to describe the terrible destruction of church buildings, Bibles and everything in them. All we could see were ashes,” said a local minister.

A call to attack issued from mosque loudspeakers prompted hundreds of Christians to flee, an act which saved their lives and prevented injuries, praise God. More than 6,000 police and armed forces have now restored order and arrested at least 146 perpetrators. But Christians who have returned are wondering how they will rebuild or even survive.

The riots broke out after a Muslim claimed to have seen two Christians tearing pages from the Quran, writing blasphemous words on them and tossing them in the street. Strangely, their names and identity card numbers were attached on an extra page. Two Christians have now been arrested. (Aljazeera, Aug 18)

Blasphemy carries the death penalty in Pakistan, and although the government has yet to execute someone for that reason, fabricated allegations can incite riots, violence, lynchings and other forms of murder of Christians and other minorities in the mainly Muslim nation.

Lord, we thank You because even in the midst of such terrible violence and danger, no Christians were injured. Please intervene on behalf of these who have lost their homes and earthly possessions. Provide for all their needs, bless them abundantly and rebuild their lives, homes and churches. Give Christians courage and Your love’s empowering to forgive and show love to those who have persecuted them. Thank You for Christians in other areas of Pakistan who have already reached out to help with food and water. Please also quickly provide shelter, bedding, clothes and all other needs. Be a Shield around every Christian in danger, especially the two who have been arrested. Bring any false accusations to light clearly, and bring to justice the Muslims who incited these evil attacks. Protect the two Christians and the hundreds of others who are in prison awaiting trial for blasphemy charges which may or may not be true. Some have been there many years already, because judges or others in authority fear retribution if they are seen as lenient. Be near to Christians in custody. Fill the jail cells or other places where they are being held with Your angels and Your felt presence. Remind them of worship songs and Scripture passages that give them hope. Use them to share Your Good News with other prisoners and even guards and authorities. Raise them up as You did Joseph, giving them favor and setting them free. Whenever Muslims rise up against Your people, make Your angel armies visible to them. Bring persecutors to their knees in fear of You. Cause those bent on evil to drop their weapons of violence and surrender to Your invitation to love instead. We ask You, Jesus, to personally visit each one of the thousands of Muslims who participated in the attacks. Give them dreams of You standing there, arms open wide, telling them You alone are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Make the Good News known to them in such a clear way they will realize You are the One they’ve been longing for. Use this terrible event to bring about a deep hunger for LOVE instead of violence in every Muslim’s heart. Cause the lost to seek the truth about Christ, and give them courage to believe. Awaken Jaranwala, Punjab and all of Pakistan to You, O God. From this terrible tragedy bring forth hope and new life through Your salvation. Lord, still about 98% of Pakistan is unreached with the Gospel. Turn thousands of Muslims to faith in You. Open the way for Your Word to be translated into every language and made available to every person in each of Pakistan’s 828 unreached people groups. Don’t let even one more Pakistani die without hearing the good news of Your salvation.

Continue praying here:

Christians Run for Their Lives in Pakistan

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by finding gifts for those you love at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:

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