Prayer is the first and most important contribution you can make to impact Pakistan.

Persecution and intimidation have become a growing reality in Pakistan.

Minority religions face harsh discrimination in nearly all aspects of life including education, finances and politics.

Christians have been considered second-class citizens since 1949, when the democratic dictatorship imposed Objective Resolution — nicknamed Pakistan's Magna Carta — and declared that Pakistan would be modeled on Islamic ideology. Ever since then, the situation has gotten progressively worse, with almost all consequent rulers contributing to this situation. There are numerous stories of converts to Christianity losing their jobs when their Muslim employers learn they had become Christians; then others would not employ them because they were Christians. Those who are Christian from birth — who are born into Christian families — often can only find the most menial jobs that Muslims do not want to do.

Clearly Christians exist at all levels of society in Pakistan, but most are at the lower rungs of the ladder. Often overlooked, ostracized and despised; beatings, imprisonments and even some cases of murder go unpunished, as well as the destruction of property and churches. Fear and dismay has gripped some Christian communities.

1. Please pray for the Persecuted:
   
   
   1. Father in heaven, we come into your presence now, to advocate specifically for your children in Pakistan who are living in the midst of great trouble and suffering. Their homeland shakes because of war, communal violence and religious persecution. Their lands are flooded with violence, hatred, insecurity and hopelessness.
      
   2. Father we implore you to be their refuge and strength. Draw them close to you – men and women, small children, anxious parents, the frail and elderly – rescue, sustain and protect them who are the 'apple of your eye'.
      
   3. Lord, increase their faith so that regardless of their circumstances, fear cannot prevail nor have victory over them.
      
   4. That these sufferings may draw Your people closer to the Lord and strengthen them in faith and courage so that they may bear a pure testimony to those who oppress them.
      
      
2. Please Pray for the Believers:
   
   
   1. Father, give our Pakistani brothers and sisters the courage to preach Your Word truthfully and completely.  Show them how to be prepared for every situation.  Equip them for correction, rebuke and encouragement, always with great patience and care. (2 Timothy 4:2 NIV)
   2. Heavenly Father, our Pakistani brothers and sisters are Your chosen people, holy and dearly loved. Clothe them with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Teach them to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances they may have against one another. Instruct them to forgive as You have forgiven them. And over all these virtues put on love, binding them all together in perfect unity.  (Colossians 3:12-14 NIV)
      
      
3. Please Pray for the Lost:
   

   The Holy Spirit is preparing the spiritual fields of Pakistan for harvest - but the workers are so few.

   1. Pray that those whom the Father is calling would respond with obedience to come and share the message of salvation with those who are lost.
      
   2. Lord, make Your light shine in the hearts of all the peoples of Pakistan. (2 Corinthians 4:3-6 NIV) so that they can see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ.

   
   

4. Please pray for the Christian Minority:
   

   While discussions on theology between Muslims and Christians may result in an increased understanding and respect for each other, the more important discussion is about Muslims and Christians living together in society. The constitution enshrines freedom to worship, yet Christians feel intimidated by rising extremism. While Christians continue to practice, few wear outward symbols of their faith and they can find themselves the targets of Islamic missionaries seeking new converts to Islam.

   1. Pray for Pakistan to become a modern and democratic state in which there would be no discrimination on the basis of cast, creed and religion and every citizen would be treated equally.
   2. Pray for religious liberty for the Christian minorities; a liberty to comprise not only the freedom to worship but also the freedom to share our Christian faith and to convert to it.
   3. Pray for the culture of peace to take root in the hearts of all Pakistani’s and for it to spread to households and communities.
      
   4. Pray for a peaceful, democratic future for the country and for a process of continued reconciliation between the moderate forces to unite against the growing threat of extremism.

   
   

5. Please Pray for the Converts: 

   Christians who come from a Muslim background are particularly under threat with the implementation of Shari'a law. There are possibly thousands of secret believers, but only a small, yet increasing number have confessed Christ and identify openly as Christians – for it could lead to their martyrdom.

   1. Pray for protection, multiplication, and for good integration into culturally appropriate Christian fellowships. All too often such believers have the double trauma of rejection by their community and then non-acceptance by the Christian community.
      
      
6. Please Pray for the Relief from Discriminatory Legislation: 

   Shari'a law has only been partially implemented, but its effects for minorities are dire. There is a mandatory death sentence for 'disrespect to the Prophet' and a life sentence for desecration of the Qur'an. The potential for malicious rumors and false charges against Christians is ever present Innocent people have been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.

   Pray for the implementation of a fair system of justice, an abrogation of the blasphemy law and a police force that impartially applies the law.