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Praying for the Persecuted Church in Lent - Victims of violence

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Published: 00:01 GMT Standard Time - Sunday 21 February 2010

Praying for the Persecuted Church in Lent - Victims of violence

Project(s): 00-345

Country/Region: Angola, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

“...bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.” (Psalm 7:9)

Where Christianity is the minority faith, Christians can face grave danger from extremists in the majority faith communities. They are often the victims of violence, which can result in the destruction of property and livelihoods. In addition, many Christians are injured and some are martyred.

Victims-of-violence
A Christian family sit outside the ruins of their home in Gojra, Pakistan, which was destroyed in anti-Christian violence
In 2009, Christians became the victims of mass rioting in numerous places across Pakistan. In the village of Korian, some 50 Christian homes were burned by a Muslim mob in July following rumours that a Qur’an had been set alight at a Christian wedding ceremony. The next day, an estimated 800-strong Muslim mob targeted Christians in the nearby town of Gojra. Seven people, all from one family, died. Homes were looted and at least 50 houses were burned down as the mob threw petrol bombs and fired indiscriminately. In Sukkur, Pakistan, a mob of 500 Muslims attacked a church and the pastor’s house using petrol bombs and other inflammatory chemicals. The inside of the church was torched, destroying Bibles, hymn books and furniture, while the pastor’s house was completely burned down.

“Let’s kill these Christians, these Pentecostals.” These were the words of some Muslim extremists who tried to kill two pastors in Muenga, Angola, in January 2009, but thankfully they did not succeed. The following day the church building was destroyed, just at the time the service was due to begin. Praise God that no one was hurt as the Christians were all waiting outside for some honoured visitors, who arrived late.

In Sri Lanka, “Rasika”, a Christian convert from Buddhism, was blinded when her husband became so angry about his wife’s decision to follow Christ that he threw battery acid in her face.

Barnabas Fund has been able to provide practical assistance to “Rasika” as well as to Christians in Korian, Gojra, Sukkur, Muenga and many other places of persecution.

Barnabas Fund projects include:

Victims of Violence Fund (Ref. 00-345)
Please Pray:
  • Pray for all victims of anti-Christian violence that they will have grace to forgive their enemies (Matthew 5:44).

  • Pray for calm in the countries where extremists in majority faith communities use violence against the Christian minority and that governments will act more strongly to prevent attacks on Christians.

  • Pray for strength and comfort in the Lord Jesus for all those who have been left bereaved, injured or homeless following anti-Christian violence.
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Praying for the Persecuted Church in Lent - Victims of violence

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christian, persecution, charity, church, persecuted, sookhdeo, Islam

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