In Pakistan, for example, Christians know one wrong step could lead to a charge of blasphemy against Islam. Such accusations result in mob violence, imprisonment, long legal battles or worse, with little protection. Just last month, four people were sentenced to death under these laws. 

“It’s a huge challenge for our partners in places like Iran and Mauritania, Afghanistan [and] Pakistan, because the punishment of blasphemy in those countries is death,” says Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations.

Pakistan courts have issued many death sentences for blasphemy, even when evidence is scanty. But so far it has never carried one out. Often, vigilante justice from Pakistan’s majority Muslim population keeps things out of the courts entirely. Kelley says minority Christian villages can quickly become targets. 

“In one case, recently, over 20 churches were burnt down, houses destroyed, people’s vehicles and motorcycles torched, police standing by allowing it to happen,” he says. 

Yet Christ stands with His people in every injustice. He even saves others through their witness.

“One of the main differences between Islam and Christianity is Jesus said, ‘The world’s going to hate you, but be encouraged because they hated Me before they hated you — and furthermore, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you,’” says Kelley. (See John 15:18–19 and Luke 6:27–28.)

“That’s the the Christian message, and that softens the heart — the Holy Spirit uses that to soften the heart of the most radical.”

Now that you know more, please pray for gospel advance where blasphemy laws rule. Pray the Christians will faithfully endure through terrible circumstances. Then, learn more.

“As the body of Christ, we need to be praying. We need to understand these issues. We need to educate ourselves about what’s going on in these countries [where] if you share the gospel that we take so freely here in the US, you literally could be killed,” says Kelley.

To understand more and pray for persecuted Christians around the world, connect with coverage by Morning Star News ands persecution.org.

Finally, pray also for resources to build up the local churches. Kelley says, “Training is critical in [these] parts of the world, especially the leaders, to give them opportunities to grow and strengthen in their faith.”

Learn more here about how Unknown Nations comes alongside believers under fire. 

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Abyan Athif/Unsplash.

Lauren Libby with Trans World Radio says, “You can view persecution as being a negative or you can view it as an opportunity. When persecution is applied, that’s when the church grows the fastest.” 

In 2023, 720 incidents against Christians in India were reported, says International Christian Concern. Compare that with 505 incidents reported in 2022. 

Twelve of India’s 28 states currently have anti-conversion laws in place, which are routinely used to stir up community wrath against Christians. (Read about just one recent case here.) 

(Logo courtesy of Trans World Radio)

“How in the world do you support people in a situation that’s becoming more and more persecuted?” Libby asked a church leader in northeast India on a recent visit. 

He responded immediately with one simple word: “Prayer.” 

Wherever you are today, would you pray for India’s Christians?

“It seems like it’s a nebulous thing, but it’s the most concrete thing that we can do,” says Libby, “because as we pray, we energize God’s Spirit in [peoples’] lives. We can do that long-distance, halfway around the world.”

Pray for God’s mercy on persecutors and for government justice toward Christians and other minority religions. 

To learn more about how TWR works to brings the gospel into the ears and hands of people in India and around the world, click here. 

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Tom Chen via Unsplash.