Hardships For Christians

Hardships For Christians Yesterday, we heard of the riots in Lahore. Today, we continue. “The smoke, the smell of gas and burning,” a teacher’s son said. “The rage with which they dragged and smashed our equipment out of our homes. The loss of all the little we had, how we will recover?” A neighbor seconded the emotions in a whisper that mixed with tears and choked her throat sounding more than her audible words.  “We were too afraid to call the government for help, in case we would be accused of blasphemy.” As Pastor Khursheed, who came from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after his own church was destroyed in the floods in 2010, spoke to Christians in Joseph Colony, he saw a look in their eyes that he recognized all too well – despondency, despair, and disillusion. “We need the world praying for us right now. Our crisis is spiritual,” he weeps. He explained that Christians fled when the police made their way to the colony on the Thursday and then again on Friday morning, forcing people to leave the residential area. “To some of us it seemed the police was doing us a favor and protecting us to save our lives. To others, it appeared the police were threatening us to leave,” said one young man. Pastor Khursheed went from home to home, praying with people and advising them how best to clean up, how to minimize the effects of the gas pollution, and how to remove rubble in ways that would reduce incidents of injuries.  One With Them Unemployment, lack of education, and impoverished living conditions has marginalized the Christian community in Pakistan. Be One With Them today as you join in this prayer: Our Heavenly Father, you know all, see all, and are in control of all. The plight of Your children in Lahore is not a surprise to You. Please give Your children strength, wisdom, provision, and compassion, to follow Your Word as they rebuild their lives. They have indeed picked up their Cross to follow You. Please encourage them that they are fully equipped to fight the spiritual battle in this world. They have the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, sandals of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. 2013.06.20

He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the Lord Almighty. (Isaiah 43:13)