Pakistani Christians lit on fire

By April 14, 2015
FMI_Pakistan flag
FMI_Pakistan flag

(Image courtesy Forgotten Missionaries International)

Pakistan (MNN) — Brutal persecution is putting Pakistan back in the headlines. At least two Pakistani Christians in Lahore were recently targeted by Muslims.

“If they identified themselves as Christians, they were attacked,” reports Bruce Allen of Forgotten Missionaries International (FMI).

Friday fires

On Friday, while on their way to the mosque, two Muslims stopped 14-year-old *Fodor in the streets and asked him what religion he followed.

When Fodor said he was a Christian, “They pursued him on their motorbikes; they threw kerosene on him and then lit him [on] fire,” Allen says.

“He was burned over 55% of his body.”

"Fodor" suffered burns on 55% of his body.  (Photo courtesy of Forgotten Missionaries International)

“Fodor” suffered burns on 55% of his body.
(Photo courtesy of Forgotten Missionaries International)

FMI supports national church planters and pastors as they carry the Gospel to their countrymen. The ministry’s National Director for Pakistan, *Nehemiah, informed Allen of this attack shortly after it happened.

A few hours later, when Allen was passing the news along to FMI-supporters via e-mail, Nehemiah called again: another Christian boy had been set on fire.

“We were wondering if we were going to be seeing a spate of these [attacks] over the weekend,”recalls Allen. “So I quickly alerted Mission Network News and said, ‘Can you help us get the word out to be praying for God to protect these people, who are not denying His name?'”

A prayer request went up on MNN’s Facebook page, and prayer warriors responded.

“We are so grateful for the thousands of prayers that were offered, and over the weekend, those attacks have abated,” Allen reports.

That doesn’t mean Pakistani Christians aren’t safe, though.

Pakistani persecution

No connections have been made between last month’s Youhanabad attacks and the recent burnings. But, Allen says, the attacks DO point to a rising trend.

“There has been a swelling of anti-Christian sentiment in recent weeks, especially in Lahore,” he states.

FMI_ISIS letter

“You must embrace Islam
or be ready to be killed.”
(Photo courtesy of Forgotten Missionaries International)

“As you watch in society and you see pamphlets endorsing terrorism, you see threats against Christian schools, you see bombings against the churches: it’s just growing there, absolutely.”

Pakistani Christians can’t turn to the government for help: they’re part of the problem. Over the weekend, Nehemiah updated Allen about one of the Christian men kidnapped by police following last month’s riots.

“He just died on Saturday due to the torture his body received in the days since his arrest,” shares Allen. “The beatings were severe enough that it caused him to die.”

Although the Youhanabad mastermind has been arrested and confessed that the riots were pre-planned, dozens of Christians are still being held captive.

What can you do?

You might not live in Pakistan, but there are a few things you can do to help through FMI.

PRAY
Intercession isn’t just important — it’s a lifeline. In the Comments Section below, write your prayer for Pakistani Christians.

FMI_Pakistan church group

(Photo courtesy of Forgotten Missionaries International)

“As members of one another, as Paul says in Romans 12, we are to be upholding one another,” says Allen. “One of the best ways we can do that, even across the continents and across the miles, is to pray for one another.”

Not only have Friday’s Facebook prayers reached God’s ears, they’ve been encouraging oppressed believers, too.

“So many of the prayers that’ve been offered, we’ve been able to relay to our team in Pakistan,” Allen shares. Those Gospel workers are then able to tell their congregations, “The Body of Christ around the world is lifting them up before the throne [of God].”

Please keep praying for the safety of Pakistani Christians. Pray also for their boldness.

“The forces of evil are very strong and not subtle. It is just very overt, and the Christians need courage,” Allen says.

GIVE/GO
Traveling to Pakistan might not be possible for you, but you can help indigenous pastors and evangelists “go” instead.

pakistan

An elder of a Pakistani village church. It is estimated that only about 2% of the nation’s population claim to be Christian.
(Photo, caption courtesy FMI)

For $100 per month, you can empower a national church planter with income, opportunity for on-going training, and emergency medical expenses. Your partnership helps the pastor focus on the crucial task of pioneer evangelism and discipleship, until his church matures to the point of being able to independently support him.

Learn more here.

Your financial gifts could also help FMI’s “safe house” ministry. What began as a single safe haven for persecuted Pakistani Christians has expanded to a second safe house for persecuted women, and a third safe house for “overflow.”

As oppression rises, so does the need for safety. At the hyperlink above, you can help FMI keep their safe house ministry afloat for $200/month.

* Name changed for security purposes

18 Comments

  • cris says:

    I pray that God will covered you with His precious blood, May His Devine protection be with you brethren, stand firm on your faith…God bless.

  • Don Lasinsky says:

    Isaiah 41:10-13
    Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My
    righteousness. Behold all they that were incensed against thee shall be
    ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive
    with thee shall perish. Thou shall seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee; They that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of naught. For I, The Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, “Fear not; I will help thee.”
    This is not only a prayer but God’s promise to His people!

  • Don Lasinsky says:

    This is where I turn when I need help from the Lord. Write these verses on your heart because the Lord never makes promises He does not keep! All my brothers and sisters in Christ are loved and we all care about what we may have to endure.
    Matthew 5:10-12
    Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
    Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.
    Rejoice and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you!

  • God have mercy on our brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Father God remind us that we are one body and when one member suffers, we all suffer with them. 1 Cor. 12:26 Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Cor. 15:57.

  • Brooke says:

    Dear Lord,
    Thank you for being with Fodor and the others who were attacked recently, and for protecting their lives. Please quench the enemy’s fires and allow the work of Your Spirit to prosper, help people to surrender to You, to see their need for you. Please strengthen our brothers and sisters in the truth that they are not alone and help them demonstrate Your forgiveness in the face of all this hatred. May the enemy be hindered and Your people strengthened and encouraged! May Your light shine brightly!

  • I pray that God will intervene and bless those who have gone through trials and sufferings for not denying Jesus as their personal Saviour. To you, Fodor and fellow brethren, trust in the Lord with all your heart….May God bless u always.

  • Barbara says:

    I hear your need! God hears your need! Like Jesus told the crippled man “take up your mat and walk” we must all take up our mat’s and take action! I am praying for you! I am praying for this enemy! Remember Paul once persecuted the followers! God is in charge! “Occupy till I come”

  • K.W. says:

    Father,
    I pray that you would strengthen your children and give grace to those who follow you in spite of persecution. Help them to stand firm. Remind them of your promises and the great inheritance that awaits them in heaven — the glory that far out weighs all the suffering in this life. And please, be a very present help and companion to them, that they would feel your presence and know that you are with them.

  • Beate says:

    Dear Lord, please comfort and strengthen your people. Let your Word be alive in their hearts. Make them aware of your love and your presence with them all the time. Give them your strength to forgive what seems impossible to forgive. Help them to keep trusting you by the power of the Holy Spirit. When they are afraid, help them to turn their eyes upon you, and protect them from the enemy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • David says:

    Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit,

    We praise you for your grace and your love and thank you for your relentlessness in pursuing us. I ask that you be present with those who are being persecuted for righteousness’s sake, and that you are able to use these persecutions for your kingdom. Bring more people to you through their bravery and courage. But Lord, please revive your Western Church and ignite a passion to participate in solidarity with our brothers and sisters suffering for your name.

    In your Almighty Holy name I pray. Amen.

  • Darlene says:

    Heavenly Father, thank you for your servants…those willing to profess their faith in You, those willing to “go” and share the hope that is found in You. Thank You for sharing Your heart with us. And now I pray for Your mighty hand over Your children. Lord, let their suffering be not in vain, but let it bring glory to Your name. Let the light and love of Christ shine through this darkness, bringing the persecutors to a relationship with You. Holy Spirit, comfort them. Give them peace and boldness. In Jesus name!

  • Mary Adans says:

    Amen and Amen.

  • Tammy says:

    Lord God, we lift up the region of Pakistan to You, and all those who love You around the world, who are persecuted because of You. Jesus, thank You that You go ahead of them, and You go behind them. You are with them on every side. Lord, I pray that they would intensely feel You near to them, that You would give them supernatural courage and supernatural protection. Lord, give their attackers the spiritual eyes to see that You Yourself stand behind them, and cause them not to dare to touch those who are Yours! Awaken their consciences Lord, and may they be ashamed when they come against, or even THINK against Your children. Help us to forgive as You forgave in the midst of the battle, and do not let bitterness take root in us. We declare that You are GOOD and You are mighty and You are Lord of ALL!

  • As I read or see the news, I often pray this verse from Psalm 7:

    O righteous God,
    who searches minds and hearts,
    bring to an end the violence of the wicked
    and make the righteous secure. (Ps. 7:9)

  • Barbara says:

    Father,
    You have called us to follow You, regardless of the cost. I pray You would continue to embolden these believers to continue to proclaim Your name. I pray for their protection. Remind Your children throughout the world to pray and speak the truth in love. I pray the eyes of men’s spirits would be opened to see Who You are and to repent.
    We trust and believe You.
    Amen

  • Diana says:

    Oh Lord, God of heaven and earth, I pray your hands and spirit be on the people in the middle east that are being persecuted and murdered because of the name of Jesus our savior. I pray His precious blood covers above, below and around these precious people as they try to live and witness for you Lord Jesus and share your love to their world. Grant them peace and strength to make it through each and every day until you return.
    Amen

  • faisal says:

    I am Faisal Ashraf from Karachi Pakistan and my wife name is shumaila. we got married in 2013 and we don’t have child
    Please pray for us that God give us baby and also pray for my visa process that God give me success and help me to go abroad.

    Thanks

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