Story number 1 for 27 Sep 2002

(Pakistan)–We begin today’s news in Pakistan where sadness was mixed with dread as Christians mourned the loss of seven members in their church in Karachi. Jerry Dykstra with Open Doors says prayer for believers there is desperately needed. “It really is a really terrible time to be living in Pakistan, and they live in fear actually every time they go to work and go to church they’re in fear of their lives.” However, Dykstra says Christians can turn this persecution into an opportunity to advance the Gospel. “We need to pray that the government will give Christians protection from the terrorist and the extremist. We need to pray that their lives will be strengthened, knowing that others are praying for them. And we also have to pray that Christians can impact other Christians and other Muslims who are in that area.” Pakistani Christians closed churches and Christian schools for the day. No arrests have been made in the attack but police say at least two gunmen are involved. Pray for the safety of believers in Pakistan as the threat against them grows.