[2024 Ramadan Day 12] ‘Pakistan’, the final weapon of the gospel of the kingdom of God

Pakistan, meaning ‘holy land,’ is a country with the second largest Muslim population in the world, with 97% of its 240 million population being Muslim. Pakistan is home to over 100 different ethnic groups, most of which are unreached and do not have a church to spread the gospel to their people.

Pakistan is facing an unprecedented serious economic crisis, including skyrocketing prices and exchange rates, due to the continued economic collapse, including the fallout from China's Belt and Road Initiative. Every year, the Pakistani government and companies provide free flour during Ramadan, but amidst this economic crisis, people's lives became extremely difficult during Ramadan last year, and huge crowds flocked to receive this flour. A stampede occurred among the people who gathered to receive it, and 20 people, including children, lost their lives and many others were injured in stampedes across Pakistan. In this reality, criticism of the incompetent government grew stronger, and eventually the country's prime minister, who had the support of the common people, was impeached and arrested on corruption charges, and in the recent election, he again received tremendous support, leading to chaos and division leading to violence across the country. As protests continued, the situation fell into deeper chaos.

In the summer of 2022, unprecedented floods struck the country, submerging a third of the country and damaging more than 2 million homes. After the flood, water-borne diseases such as dysentery and cholera spread everywhere, and the suffering of Pakistani souls who have already lost their homes and families continues to this day. But even in the midst of this, God turned disaster into glory. Through the flood, doors to many areas of Pakistan that had previously been inaccessible were opened, and not only did healing and restoration take place among the souls of unreached tribes met there, but churches were established through two or three people who accepted Jesus as their savior, and we were able to see the great work of missions training beginning.

Meanwhile, the suffering and persecution of the Pakistani church by fundamentalist Islamic forces is increasing. An angry Muslim mob looted and set fire to churches in a Christian village in Pakistan's Punjab province after two Christians were accused of blasphemy, spreading violence across the country. In addition, a brother in faith right next to him was killed while preaching the gospel to a Muslim co-worker, and while preaching in a park, he suffered hardships such as being accused of blasphemy and being imprisoned. However, many young Christians took them as models and are joyfully devoting themselves. They have received missionary training and are being sent as missionaries to the Arab, Central Asian, and Maghreb regions, and are now being sent as long-term missionaries to the remaining 100 unreached tribes in Pakistan that have not been paid attention to.

Hallelujah! We praise God, who is raising up young people in Pakistan to go to the nations, bearing witness to the gospel even in the face of death threats! May you help Pakistan become a nation that sees the glory of Jesus Christ in the midst of suffering!

[Today’s prayer]

1. Please help the souls of Pakistan come to the Lord, who provides salvation and increases grace even in the midst of economic and political chaos. May you break the deeply-rooted spirit of Islam that prevents over 100 ethnic groups in Pakistan from coming before the Lord, the truth, and shine brightly the light of Jesus Christ, who is eternal life.

2. The Pakistani church may seem weak and appear to have nothing, but we confess that it is by no means weak. May all the things on earth that are exalted against God be destroyed and may Pakistan reveal the glory of the Lord. Satan continues to threaten those who believe in the Lord through Islamic fundamentalist forces, but would you help the Pakistani church to hold fast to the hope of heaven, follow the path of the cross of greatest glory, and declare victory to all nations.