Pray for Muslim Background Believers in Pakistan.

According to a UNHCR report on religious conversion in Pakistan, under orthodox Islamic law, converting out of the Muslim faith is considered a capital offence. In addition, family members and neighbours often feel honour-bound to kill friends or family if they discover that that person has converted to another faith, such as Christianity.

However, many Muslims are coming to faith in Christ in Pakistan and this is the testimony of one such young couple:

It all started when they were given a New Testament and began to read it. They knew about Jesus through the Koran because He’s regarded as a prophet in Islam, but they didn’t know much about Him.

However, as they read the New Testament accounts of Christ, they said the concepts of Christ’s love, His mercy [and] forgiveness were ‘mind-blowing and heart-shaking’. And so, they made the decision to follow Christ.

As part of a Muslim family, the couple were living with [the husband’s] parents, other siblings, and their own young children. Living all together in the same compound was restrictive, and even more so when this couple became followers of Jesus.

They would huddle together at night behind their closed bedroom door to read the Scriptures together, but when the husband started to share the gospel with his family, they rushed on him and started to beat him.

Miraculously, he managed to escaped with his wife and children.

Their simple testimony is this: “We’re willing to follow Christ, and we’re aware of the cost.” They had counted the cost, and now that cost is being exacted upon them, but they are more than willing to pay it, especially knowing that the rest of the Body of Christ still stands with them.

• There is a constant stream of Pakistan Muslims coming to Christ. Pray for these new Christians in Pakistan, where they are, at the very least, ostracised and threatened by their families and communities, and often struggle to find work and a safe place to live. Pray for their protection, for opportunities for them to meet together to encourage each other, and that they will not lose heart.
• Pray for the existing church in Pakistan to reach out to these Muslim Background Believers. Often, the existing Church is very cautious to accept Muslim background converts because sometimes it is a trap and will lead to more persecution of the existing church. Pray for courage to build bridges of friendship with MBB’s, and for this to be an encouragement to the existing Church in their faith too.
• Pray for Pakistan, as it grapples with increasing Islamic fundamentalism. Pray for wisdom for the government, protection for it’s people and for a continued move of the Holy Spirit that will draw many to the truth and life of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6 vs 18: “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”

Source: http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/