Christians are a beleaguered minority caught between Islamic militant organizations that routinely target them for violence and an Islamic culture that discriminates against them. Death threats are routine for church leaders, beatings are common, and damage to church property occurs on a monthly basis. Christians cannot rely on government or the military to protect them. The killing in March 2011 of Christian Cabinet Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, was ‘one of the most demoralizing acts for us of recent years’, according to a church leader in Karachi.
Pray:
- Asia Bibi, the first Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, is still in prison. Pray for her release
- Praise God that the Christian population is growing, and a steady trickle of Muslims are joining these churches
- Praise God that Pakistan has backed a UN resolution calling for all states to foster religious freedom; pray that this may become more of a reality in 2012.
