Insight E-Mag - May 2009
Profile for Prayer: Pakistan
A team from INCM recently returned from a trip to Pakistan. Read their story here.
- INCM Partnered with Brethren Churches of Pakistan in 2008 and 2009
- Population: 172,800,048 (49.8 % are 0-14 years old)
- Religion: Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shi'a 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%
Major issues for prayer:
1. After half a century of misrule, Pakistan needs a government that allows a real democracy to develop and spends its income on economic rather than military development, ends a culture of uncontrolled corruption and gives a fair deal to all its citizens. Pray for the binding of the spirit of lawlessness and violence that has crippled this nation, and for the raising up of leaders of integrity.
2. Islamism has severely damaged the economy and social cohesion of society. It has trampled on the constitutional rights of women and minorities subverted the judicial system and brought fear and violence to this nation. The network of Islamic schools has poisoned the next generation with hatred for India, the West and Christians, and extolled a willingness to die fighting for Islam. Pray that this ideology might be so discredited that its influence may be broken.
3. Shari'a law has only been partially implemented, but its effects for minorities are dire. There is a mandatory death sentence for 'disrespect to the Prophet' and a life sentence for desecration of the Qur'an. The potential for malicious rumors and false charges against Christians has been realized. Innocent people have been sentenced to long terms of imprisonment. Pray for the abrogation of discriminatory legislation - specifically, the blasphemy law - implementation of a fair system of justice and a police force that impartially applies the law.
4. Young people are a major subject for prayer since 50% of the population is under 15. Only 25% of children go to school and exploitative child-labor affects 6 to 20 million. Drug abuse is a major problem. Few ministries focus on either Christian or non-Christian youth. Pray for these children and for workers to step up and reach out to these children.
