‘They had informed my family that I am badly injured and would not survive, but God gave me a new life.’ – Qaiser

On Easter Sunday 2016, a suicide bomb attack targeting the Christian community in Pakistan killed over 72 people and injured hundreds. Five years on, the survivors are still waiting for justice. Sadly, Pakistan’s minority faith communities continue to experience harassment, threats and even violence. Christians and Ahmadi Muslims are at particular risk. Find out more at csw.org.uk/pakistan

Sunday 8 August

In the print edition of the Prayer Diary, we asked you to pray for the protection of Sakina Mehtab, a Christian nurse who went into hiding in May after receiving death threats over a false allegation of blasphemy. Since then, we can give thanks that the allegation has been dropped, following intervention from local authorities and a minority member of parliament. Please pray for her continued safety.

Monday 9 August

For faith communities who are at continual risk, the danger is not just physical. They also suffer the mental torment of being always on edge, worrying whenever a loved one comes home late. Pray for peace, comfort and healing from trauma for all these individuals.

Tuesday 10 August

Criminalised, killed and cursed: this is the reality for the Ahmadiyya community, a Muslim sect who are the most persecuted religious group in the country. Radical Muslims have long encouraged violence against Ahmadis, resulting in hundreds of murders in recent decades. Pray that this hate speech would cease completely.

Wednesday 11 August

In February Abdul Qadir, a 65-year-old Ahmadi homeopathic doctor, was shot dead outside his clinic in Peshawar in north-western Pakistan. His killing marked the latest in a concerning uptick in religiously motivated attacks on Ahmadis, particularly in Peshawar. Today as Pakistan observes National Minorities Day, pray for comfort for his family as they grieve his loss.

Thursday 12 August

‘Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me.’ (Psalm 7:1) Ask God to save and deliver all Pakistan’s faith communities who are at risk.

Friday 13 August

Human rights lawyers are frequently at risk, and judges have been physically attacked and threatened with torture, even during court hearings. Many are afraid to hear prominent minority cases for fear of reprisals, resulting in slow progress in these cases. Ask God to bring a halt to these threats and attacks, so that justice can be served.

Saturday 14 August

‘Everyone who saw it said, “Such a horrible crime has not been committed in all the time since Israel left Egypt. Think about it! What are we going to do? Who’s going to speak up?”’ (Judges 19:30 NLT)

The book of Judges tells the story of a time when the people of Israel saw an injustice so horrific that they could not stay silent. Today on the 74th anniversary of the independence of Pakistan, spend some time thanking God for Pakistan’s human rights defenders, who risk their lives to speak up against injustice.

下载本周祈祷日记的可打印版本。.