Pray for Asia Bibi waiting for final appeal of her death sentence in Pakistan
Not stand by while the Christians of the Middle East are being attacked.
Pray the protection of Psalm 91 over my brothers and sisters facing dangerous circumstances around the world.
For six years, Asia Bibi has languished in a prison cell after being accused of violating Pakistan’s Islamic anti-blasphemy laws. The Christian mother of five children has been sentenced to death, and her lawyers have appealed the court’s decision many times. The final appeal hearing was scheduled to take place in October, but waspostponed after one of the judges recused himself. The new date for her final appeal has not been set at this time.
Radical Muslim clerics in Pakistan have demanded that Bibi be hanged regardless of the outcome of the pending hearing. An influential mosque declared that anyone defending Bibi will be treated as blasphemers themselves, and threatened anti-government demonstrations if she is released. Throughout her long trial proceedings there have been violent public demonstrations against her. A Pakistani governor who supported her case was murdered and his killer had widespread popularity even after being prosecuted. The judge who presided over the murder trial was forced to flee the country over threats to his own life.
Bibi’s family is in hiding. Her children are growing up without their mother, and her husband is trying to hold onto faith that his wife will return to their family. Their story has drawn international attention, and over half a million people have signed a global petition asking the Pakistani government to release her. Although the hostile environment in Pakistan makes impartial justice for Christians like Asia Bibi very difficult to achieve, we have not given up hope.
Asia Bibi is not the only Pakistani believer who will be in prison during Christmas this year. As she waits to learn her fate, her spiritual brother is also waiting for an appeal of his blasphemy conviction. Outside the prison walls, four million Pakistani Christians are preparing to celebrate Christmas amid very high tensions and threats against them. Pakistan’s government has pledged to provide security to Christian church services during the holidays, but the threat of attacks and mob violence is still very high. As we pray for the release of Asia Bibi, we also pray for the safety of every Christian in Pakistan.
Please Pray:
- For Asia Bibi’s continued health and spiritual strength during her imprisonment.
- For the judges in her case to have the courage to deliver fair and impartial justice.
- For Bibi’s family to be safe and filled with peace.
For every Christian in Pakistan to be protected from all threats against them.