(August 31, 2023) Elizabeth Kendal, RLPB, reports…

On August 16 thousands of fanatical Muslims attacked the Christian colony in Jaranwala, a city in the Faisalabad district, Punjab province.

Fortunately, Christians were quick to flee.

• During 10 hours of rioting, the Muslims looted and ransacked some 500 homes and at least 20 churches, torching many.
• Around 2000 Christians have lost everything, including all sense of security. The pogrom, which was triggered by a blatantly false accusation of blasphemy, was led by fundamentalist Islamist clerics associated with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a radically Islamist political party.
• Pakistani Islamists have been stoking tensions, protesting and issuing threats since early July, after the Swedish government allowed an Iraqi refugee to burn a Qur’an in a public protest.
• On 2 August 2, Lahore-based terror group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) announced it would respond by attacking Christians and churches!

Urgent prayer needed overall! Please pray that our merciful God will:

* Protect, comfort, sustain and provide for the Christians who lost homes, belongings and all sense of security in the Jaranwala pogrom. May they all be able to say with the Psalmist: ‘But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head’(Psalm 3:3).

* Redeem this wickedness and turn it to good for the benefit of the church in Pakistan. May reform be forthcoming. May multitudes of Pakistani Muslims be awakened to the dangers of intolerant, fundamentalist Islam – and in rejecting it, may many embrace the beautiful way of Jesus Christ. May those who walk in darkness, see the light! (Isaiah 9:1-7) May Christ continue to build his church in Pakistan.

* Secure justice for the Christian victims of Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy law: for those who have been driven from their homes; for those who are currently languishing in prison; and especially for those who have been sentenced to death – including Noman Masih (22), Ashfaq Masih (34) and the long-suffering and ailing Pastor Zafar Bhatti (57). Lord have mercy.

‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.’ (From Jeremiah’s prayer in Jeremiah 32:17-25 ESV)

‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’ (powerful and effective) James 5:16b.
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Elizabeth Kendal is an international religious liberty analyst and advocate for the persecuted church. To support this ministry visit www.ElizabethKendal.com. Above updates excerpted from RLPB reports.

Elizabeth, an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam, Melbourne School of Theology, has authored two books: Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today (Deror Books, Melbourne) which offers a biblical response to persecution and existential threat; and After Saturday Comes Sunday: Understanding the Christian Crisis in the Middle East (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, OR, USA).
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