[Today's Prayer] “Mass Deportation of Afghans from Pakistan Threatens the Lives of Christian Converts”

Open Doors, an international Christian persecution watchdog organization, has warned that the ongoing large-scale deportation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan could seriously endanger the lives of Christian converts.

According to the UK-based Christian Today (CT), Pakistan deported approximately one million Afghans last year. Most of them were reportedly undocumented migrants, refugees, and their children.

The Pakistani government cites immigration law enforcement and national security as the primary reasons for the deportations. Authorities have expressed concerns that some Afghans may have connections to the Taliban, Islamist militant groups, or criminal organizations. Iran has also implemented similar policies for similar reasons.

Open Doors pointed out that Christians are likely among those being deported. In particular, it warned that if they are returned to Afghanistan under Taliban rule, their lives could be placed in severe danger.

(Excerpt omitted)

Meanwhile, Open Doors noted that the situation for Christians who remain in Pakistan is far from safe. In Open Doors’ World Watch List of Christian persecution, Pakistan ranked 8th and Afghanistan ranked 11th.

In Pakistan, there are frequent reports of Christian and other religious minority girls being subjected to kidnapping, sexual violence, forced marriage, and forced conversion. Families of victims are often unable to receive help from the judicial system and, in some cases, even face authorities siding with the perpetrators.

There are also concerns that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are being misused in some areas to incite mob violence against Christians.

Source: Christian Daily

“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.” (Psalm 92:12–13)

Lord, we hear the news that the Pakistani government has deported approximately one million Afghans over the past year in the name of national security and immigration law enforcement, and that many Christian converts may be among them, placing the lives of believers in serious danger.

Please have mercy on the Afghan refugees who have been living in Pakistan without a place to settle and are now being deported. Protect and preserve the Afghan Christians who must return to Afghanistan, where the Taliban remains in control.

Just as the righteous flourish like a palm tree and grow like the cedars of Lebanon, may the faith of Afghan Christians grow stronger and overcome in this time of confusion and uncertainty.

Not only in Afghanistan, but also among the Christians in Pakistan who live under persecution, pour out Your faith and strength. Raise up people who will help and support those Christians who are suffering without assistance.

May unjust laws be removed, and may Pakistan and Afghanistan be governed by the eternal Word of God.

Through the Christians of Pakistan and Afghanistan, establish a holy Church that does not fear any hardship or persecution.

Through Pakistan and Afghanistan, may believers who are God’s holy temple arise throughout Persia and among all nations. Amen.