(Voice of the Persecuted) Two suicide bombings at churches in Pakistan have claimed the lives of more than a dozen Christians.
- Please pray for Pakistani believers who were impacted by the tragic bombings at Christ Church and St. John Catholic Church.
- Please pray for God’s love and mercy on them, their comfort, peace, guidance and protection.
- Pray God will fill them with His divine joy in this horrific trial.
- Please pray they will feel God’s presence and respond with the love of Jesus.
- Pray that God will change the hearts of the persecutors.
- And that all people in Pakistan will strive to live in peace with all their neighbours, regardless of their religion.
Please remember the precious Pakistani believers in Thailand. They are seeking and applied for religious asylum to other nations through the UNHCR…yet the Thai government regards them as illegals. Consequently, the Thai government has arrested several hundred of the Pakistani believers. They are being held in the detention centres, including mothers separated from their infants and children. We have received reports the situation has not yet improved.
- Please pray that God will intervene in this situation in Thailand.
- Please pray that these saints will know God`s presence and joy in this dark situation.
- Please pray that God will soften the Thai government`s heart regarding these Pakistani saints.
- Please pray that the U.N. will take the necessary action and intervene on behalf of these Pakistani Christians fleeing extreme religious oppression.
Trust and believe, our prayers can change the outcome of things!
UPDATE-MESSAGE FROM ANGLICAL ARCHBISHOP.
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – “We do not need and do not want a civil war. We Christians are people of peace. Do not let the pain cloud our eyes. What future do we want to build for Pakistan? A future of harmony and reconciliation”: this is what the Archbishop of Lahore, Sebastian Shaw said to a crowd of over 10 thousand faithful who took part in the funeral of the victims of the St. John Church (Catholic) and Christ Church (Protestant) attack in Youhanabad, Christian suburb on the outskirts of Lahore.
The celebration of the funeral, which was held in the Catholic church of St. John, was ecumenical: it was attended by the Catholic and Protestant Archbishops of Lahore. The victims and the families present belonged to both Christian communities: the funeral of the victims of both attacks was celebrated as a sign of profound communion. The funeral was also attended by representatives of civil authorities and some Muslim leaders came as a sign of solidarity with Christians.
In an interview with Agenzia Fides, Archbishop Shaw said: “We have reiterated that violence is not the right path. The Gospel calls us to Always be, in every circumstance men of peace. Today, in this pain, we can pray and seek consolation in God. Christ is our consolation”. The Bishop stressed that “Christians today want peace and security. As Pakistani citizens, we ask the government security and protection, in order to live in harmony and to help build a just, peaceful and fraternal nation”.
The bodies of the victims were taken to the cemetery in Lahore, where they received proper burial. “We are in mourning, but our faith sustains us. The Lord does not abandon us in this ordeal”, says to Fides don Asharf Gill, a priest of the diocese of Lahore. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/03/2015)
VOP:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:9-11
Eye for Eye
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (words we must remember and live by)
“In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:10-12
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
In love, we stand with Pakistani Christians and pray for their endurance. Be strong brothers and sisters, God is with you.
BUT WORSE MAY BE TO COME!
March 18, 2015
PAKISTAN – Threat of major attack on Christian community
We have received a report that extremists may be planning a large-scale attack on Youhannabad, Lahore’s largest Christian colony.
Militant groups are believed to be gathering in a nearby town with the intention of ‘teaching Christians a lesson’ after two Muslims, suspected of being terrorists, were caught and killed by a mob angered by the bombing of two churches in the colony.
The group Jamatul Ahrar, which has links to the Taliban, admitted responsibility for the bombings against Christ Church and St John’s church on Sunday.
Please help your brothers and sisters in Youhannabad now by praying for their protection. Pray for peace and reconciliation and an end to the violence.
He went leaping and praising God. 