Not to be Ignored

Dateline: Pakistan – Sometimes, even praying Christians can get anesthetized to some of the needs around the world.  Take Pakistan, for instance.  How often is Pakistan in the news, either for being the site of a bombing or other attack, or for being connected to it in some way?  After so many of these stories, we might find ourselves tuning out.

But, behind these stories are real people – and in these cases, many of these real people are our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Just consider what has made it to the headlines of Compass Direct news in the last month, just in Punjab Province, and re-commit to pray if you are one (like me) who has not paid attention.

June 18 – Two Christian cousins were falsely accused of murder and selling alcohol.  The accuser – their employer – and another man got drunk and began randomly firing shots for fun, accidentally killing a neighbor.  Though these two innocent cousins were at home, not at the employer’s, it made no difference to the local authorities.  A senior superintendent who pursued the matter, brought to light the corruption in the local office.  The cousins have been freed and the corrupt official suspended, but no charges have been filed against the murderer.

June 25 – A team of Christians were leaving the area, having just finished revival services for the evening, when a group of armed men began firing at them.  Though the rear window was shot out, they were able to drive on, and were safely hidden from the gunmen’s sight as they drove into a field off the highway.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that the local police chief wouldn’t file the report because of pressure from local Muslim groups.

July 1 – We see God’s intervention as a motorcyclist drove next to a church entrance and threw a grenade.  This church was beside a Christian children’s amusement park that was heavily attended at the time.  The grenade didn’t explode, and was safely removed by the authorities.  This followed many Christian clergymen and other Christian organizations receiving threatening letters from Islamic militants.

July 5 – At another village, Islamic extremists issued further threats, also aimed at a church.  The threat is that they will reenact the slaughter and destruction of August 1, 2009, if any renovation or building is done to this aging facility.  In addition, to add to the landholdings of another “influential” man, the house of the assistant pastor has already been demolished, with hopes of seizing the church property, as well.

July 8 – In a relatively small community, the wife and four children of a police officer (all Christians) recently transferred there were murdered while the husband was at work.  Their crime?  False accusations against the 11-year-old son of blasphemy against Muhammed.  When the mother argued that he wasn’t capable of doing so, they were all murdered.  Because of the “influential” man who did the accusing, the police are not filing charges.

Our brothers and sisters in Pakistan live a difficult life most of us cannot imagine.  We may not be able to go physically to encourage them or provide shelter or safety, but we can lift them up in prayer to the One Who will never leave or forsake them.  Will you join me in recommitting to prayer for Christians like these?