Pakistan is a diverse and vibrant country, but sadly, rising tensions are making life increasingly difficult. Vaguely worded blasphemy laws are misused to settle personal scores and punish religious minorities, children are taught using biased textbooks, and Christian and Hindu girls are abducted, forcibly married to Muslim men and made to convert. These are just a few of the issues: but we pray knowing our God is big enough and powerful enough to answer all our prayers!
- Sunday 6 August
Today, please pray for Asia Noreen (also known as Asia Bibi), a Christian woman falsely accused of blasphemy in 2009, and sentenced to death. Her final appeal in the Supreme Court was adjourned after one of the judges cited a conflict of interest, and she’s still in prison in solitary confinement.
- Monday 7 August
Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan are targeted by blasphemy laws that essentially make it a crime for Ahmadis to practise their religion, legitimising violence against them. In December a mob of 1,000 people attacked an Ahmadi mosque and tried to seize the building. Pray that God would protect Ahmadi Muslims today, and that the unjust laws legitimising this violence against them would be repealed.
- Tuesday 8 August
On our last visit to Pakistan, we met the families of Christian and Hindu girls and women who are abducted, forcibly converted and married to Muslim husbands. They’re even renamed, so that nothing of their old identity remains. Pray that these girls would be reunited with their families: and that existing legislation would be fully enforced by the police and the courts, to stop this exceptionally cruel practice.
- Wednesday 9 August
“Extremism in Pakistan is rising, but what impressed and encouraged me most is that so many are boldly speaking up in the face of such a hostile, dangerous environment. A young generation of religious freedom activists is rising up and they need our prayers.” Dave Mance, Head of Campaigns, speaking about his recent visit to Pakistan. Let’s join him in prayer for a new generation of activists.
- Thursday 10 August
Schoolchildren in Pakistan are often taught from a curriculum that is biased towards promoting Islam, denigrating other religions, and promoting ideology instead of facts. Please pray that this curriculum would be changed so that these children don’t grow up learning to hate people from other faiths.
- Friday 11 August
On Pakistan’s National Minorities Day, please pray for God to protect religious minorities, including Christian, Hindus, Sikhs and Shi’a Muslims, who face blasphemy accusations, harassment, imprisonment or worse every day.
- Saturday 12 August
God, we lift the nation of Pakistan to you today. Thank you for the bravery of its religious freedom defenders and the hope that they give to so many people who are facing difficulties and dangers: protect them and grant them wisdom and courage, we pray. Amen.