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There is some encouraging news coming out of Pakistan for Christians who have lived under the threat of false blasphemy accusations and religious violence.
According to Reuters, registered blasphemy cases in Pakistan have fallen by roughly two-thirds this year as the government and military have cracked down on hard-line Islamist groups. That does not mean the danger is over, but it is a significant change in a country where blasphemy accusations have sometimes led to mob violence and death.
One recent case is especially encouraging. A Christian family in Karachi was targeted by a mob last month after being accused of blasphemy. Police intervened and rescued the family. An initial investigation reportedly found that the accusations against them were false.
That matters.
False accusations of blasphemy have repeatedly been used against Christians and others in Pakistan. Since 1990, the country has experienced about 90 blasphemy-related lynchings. In that setting, police protecting an accused Christian family rather than allowing a mob to determine their fate is no small development.
At the same time, Christians should not assume that the danger has disappeared. Observers warn that extremist groups could regain strength. Government policies can change. Political conditions can change. A temporary decline in persecution is not the same thing as lasting religious freedom.
Still, when Christians who have been living under serious threat receive some measure of protection, we can thank God for it and pray that it continues.
Hebrews tells us:
For some believers, those fears are very real.
Our concern should go beyond hoping that Christians remain physically safe. We should pray that they will have freedom to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ openly and without fear. The early church prayed, not merely for relief from opposition, but for boldness in the middle of it:
Pray that false accusations will continue to be exposed. Pray that police and government officials will protect the innocent. Pray that violent religious movements will lose their influence. Pray for Christians who have already suffered. And above all, pray that believers will be able to live faithfully and proclaim Jesus Christ openly.
This development is encouraging, but the need for prayer remains.
“Remember them that are in bonds.”
News Article
According to Reuters, registered blasphemy cases in Pakistan have fallen by roughly two-thirds this year as the government and military have cracked down on hard-line Islamist groups. That does not mean the danger is over, but it is a significant change in a country where blasphemy accusations have sometimes led to mob violence and death.
One recent case is especially encouraging. A Christian family in Karachi was targeted by a mob last month after being accused of blasphemy. Police intervened and rescued the family. An initial investigation reportedly found that the accusations against them were false.
That matters.
False accusations of blasphemy have repeatedly been used against Christians and others in Pakistan. Since 1990, the country has experienced about 90 blasphemy-related lynchings. In that setting, police protecting an accused Christian family rather than allowing a mob to determine their fate is no small development.
At the same time, Christians should not assume that the danger has disappeared. Observers warn that extremist groups could regain strength. Government policies can change. Political conditions can change. A temporary decline in persecution is not the same thing as lasting religious freedom.
Still, when Christians who have been living under serious threat receive some measure of protection, we can thank God for it and pray that it continues.
Hebrews tells us:
Christians living in relative safety should not forget believers who face consequences simply for bearing the name of Christ. For many of us, confessing Christ does not mean wondering whether a neighbor might make a false accusation, whether a mob might gather outside our home, or whether the authorities will protect us.
For some believers, those fears are very real.
Our concern should go beyond hoping that Christians remain physically safe. We should pray that they will have freedom to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ openly and without fear. The early church prayed, not merely for relief from opposition, but for boldness in the middle of it:
That is a good prayer for our brothers and sisters in Pakistan.
Pray that false accusations will continue to be exposed. Pray that police and government officials will protect the innocent. Pray that violent religious movements will lose their influence. Pray for Christians who have already suffered. And above all, pray that believers will be able to live faithfully and proclaim Jesus Christ openly.
This development is encouraging, but the need for prayer remains.
“Remember them that are in bonds.”
News Article