Persecution Pakistan

If you have been following the news, you would have known about the severe persecution against Christians in the city of Jaranwala, in the Faisalabad district of Pakistan. On 16 Aug, a Muslim mob set on fire, 28 churches, houses of poor christians and looted their all valuable goods in the name of Islam. The old, children, women and young girls were forced to flee from their houses in order to protect themselves. 

My contacts from Haggai International informed me that there is a great immediate need for dry ration, cots, cooler for water, some clothes for wearing and for sleeping sheets. There is also a major need to repairing for burnt houses and church buildings. Not much help is coming to them at this moment.

Some of my Christian friends from Pakistan were clamouring for help. 

I managed to raise some funds from concerned friends in this region and through PEC rendered some help for our brothers and sister in this time of need. But for "most of the christian world", it was jut another sad incidentt in another part of the world. "We cant be helping everybody in crisis, let alone those persecuted for Christ". 

What was your reaction when you heard about this persecution or even the one in Manipur, India. Were you moved to pray; and go further to provide some help?

I was reminded of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. When he heard about the calamity facing the walls of Jerusalem, he did two things:

First, he fasted and prayed:

• Nehemiah 1:4 - And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven

Second, he took action

• Nehemiah 2:5 - And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.

Unfortunately for many christians, yes this is sad but nothing more.

One of my pastor friends from Indonesia said that even though their church income is very small, they collected some money to help the victims of the persecution. I was moved when I heard this. They didn't have much but still they were willing to help. A try reflection of the Macedonian church. 

What is lacking today in many churches and christians, I believe, is compassion, the kind of compassion that Jesus had. The kind of compassion that would distinguish us from the rest of the world. The kind of compassion that will be willing to make the sacrifice, like the church in Macedonia.

What will take us to see the world in the way Jesus saw.? The same things that happened to the christians in Pakistan can also happen to us. Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

Jesus Himself said, "In this world you will have tribulations".

By helping those in need, especially those suffering for the sake of the gospel, we display the love of Christ.

• John 13:35 - By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What will take us to end gospel poverty?. What will take us to fulfil the Great Commission?  If we christians don't, no one else will. 

Chris Ghanaian, Professor of Theology & Global Studies, Liberty University recently made this comment on why Jesus did what He did in Matthew 9:36 

• Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 

He submitted that if we see people as "sheep without a shepherd" and if we SEE the "fields ripe for harvest", we will be moved with compassion and do what Jesus did.

I want to thank my friends who responded immediately to the call for help. There is still much need in Pakistan. Let me know if you want to help.