Religious prejudice pervades all areas of life. Minorities – Christians, Hindus, Shi’as and Ahmadis – are considered second-class citizens and face institutional discrimination in education and in the workplace. Discriminatory legislation and electoral procedures also disadvantage them, and they are often victims of targeted violence. The state repeatedly fails to hold those responsible to account.

Sunday 15 December

Christians continue to be falsely accused of blasphemy, a crime which, under Pakistani law, is punishable by death. Pray today for Christian couple Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Masih, Ashfaq Masih, Nadeem Samson, and Sawan Masih – just a few of those who are currently accused of blasphemy – for their health and protection, and that they would be acquitted swiftly.

Monday 16 December

Religious discrimination is prevalent in employment. In Punjab and Sindh provinces, local government documents stipulate that sanitation workers must be Christians or non-Muslims. Pray for the immediate removal of these discriminatory regulations, and that the local authorities would stop targeting Christians and non-Muslims for menial work.

Tuesday 17 December

Schoolchildren receive biased education, with textbooks actively fuelling religious intolerance – for example Hindus are described as ‘enemies of Pakistan’. Praise God that, as a result of our Faith and a Future petition, which thousands of you signed, the Department for International Development has promised to ensure that no UK taxpayer money will fund these biased materials.

Wednesday 18 December

The Hazara are a predominantly Shi’a Muslim ethnic community which regularly faces threats from sectarian groups. They live in heavily guarded neighbourhoods surrounded by high walls to protect themselves from extremists. Despite this, they continue to be attacked by hard-line Sunni Muslim extremists, and in April a bomb killed eight members of their community in Quetta. Pray for consolation for the victims’ families, and for an end to this religiously motivated violence.

Thursday 19 December

During a recent trip to Thailand and Malaysia, CSW’s South Asia Officer interviewed Pakistani Ahmadi refugees living in dire conditions. Many had fled their country as a result of religious persecution and have been waiting for years to receive refugee status. Pray that Thailand and Malaysia will sign the 1951 Refugee Convention, giving them better protections, and that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will ensure they can access affordable healthcare and educational opportunities.

Friday 20 December

‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33. Today, pray this verse over all those in Pakistan under attack because of their faith.

Saturday 21 December

Loving God, we ask you to pour out your Spirit on the nation of Pakistan today. May discrimination, bitterness and violence make way for tolerance, hope and unity; and may citizens learn to respect and make peace with one another, regardless of their religion or belief. Amen.