Shahbaz Bhatti, the Minister for Minorities Affairs and long-time Christian human rights activist who campaigned tirelessly for the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan, was assassinated on 2 March 2011. His loss is still mourned by the many who worked with him. But amid all the significant problems facing Pakistan today including an energy crisis, political corruption, and high unemployment religious intolerance is one that permeates Pakistani society.

The worst single attack against Christians in Pakistan took place on 22 September 2013 when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in All Saints’ Church, Peshawar. At least 81 people died, and over 100 were injured. As we approach the third anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti’s assassination, please lift up Pakistan in prayer.

This week, please:

• Pray for all who continue to speak up for minorities in Pakistan;
• Pray for the activists and CSW partners who regularly risk their lives in this work;
• Pray for the families who lost loved ones during the Peshawar church attack and other incidents;
• Thank God for the many Pakistanis from various faiths who condemned such attacks and take action to prevent more in future;
• Pray for all who spread hatred against others on the basis of religion;
• Pray for reform of the education curriculum, which contributes to forming attitudes which can lead to religiously-motivated violence;
• Pray for Christian leaders as they establish trusting relationships in a country where so many divisions stem from mistrust.