The case of Asia Bibi, the Pakistan Christian mother-of-five who was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy, has taken an extraordinary turn. According to a story monitored by the ASSIST News Service, Qari Salam, who accused Bibi of blasphemy charges, which resulted in a jail sentence and possible hanging, is reported to have 'ostensibly' regretted filing a blasphemy charge against the impoverished Christian woman. ‘The source of his guilt is the realization that the case was not based on facts but on hyped religious emotions and personal bias of some village women, including his wife.’ Bibi has been languishing in Sheikhupura jail since a sessions court gave her a death sentence for insulting Prophet Muhammad. Qari, according to some of his close friends, was now thinking of not pursuing the case anymore and expressed his desire to some of his friends, only to find himself in a difficult situation when activists of an Islamic religious organization ‘convinced’ him not to change his mind. (See Prayer Alert 10-2011)

Pray: that the case against Asia Bibi will now be dropped and she will be set free. (Ps.142:7)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12010128.htm

The Bishop of Peshawar in Pakistan is asking Christians to pray after a church was destroyed. According to Anglican Alliance, thousands of people stormed the compound in Mardan, near Peshawar last week. They burnt down the church and destroyed the homes of two priests and the head teacher of the church school. The attackers also looted newly installed computers from the school before setting it on fire. No one was harmed in the attack but Bishop Humphrey Peters said the damage had been ‘very severe’. ‘We will need to rebuild. We are asking for people around the world to keep us in their prayers,’ he said. ‘The government and faith leaders in Pakistan have a role to play in educating people that they have the right to protest, but to damage property and terrify people in this way is completely wrong. The government and faith leaders should provide the lead in preventing attacks,’ he said.

Pray: that God will come alongside the believers and protect them from those that persecute them. (Ps.119:157)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/appeal.for.prayers.after.pakistan.church.stormed/30693.htm

The US State Department has condemned a Pakistani minister's offer of $100,000 (£61,600) for the death of the American maker of an anti-Islam film. It said the step was 'inflammatory and inappropriate’. Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour made the offer after a wave of protests against the film across Pakistan and the wider Muslim world. Sunday saw a fresh round of protests over the film in Pakistan, Nigeria, Greece and Turkey. A State Department official told the BBC: ‘The President and Secretary of tate have both said the video at the core of this is offensive, disgusting, and reprehensible - but that is no justification for violence, and it is important for responsible leaders to stand up and speak out against violence.

Therefore we find Mr Bilour's announcement is inflammatory and inappropriate. We note that the Prime Minister's office has disassociated itself from his comments.’

Pray: against inflammatory offers and remarks such as Mr Bilour’s that they would fall on deaf ears and not lead to more violence. (Ps.7:9)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19692971

Elections were completed last weekend. Although there were demonstrations and terrorist attacks (sadly over 130 lost their lives) those elected are relatively clearly defined and the country can move forward. Pakistan is on the brink of economic collapse and its citizens have suffered horribly from a recent spike in terrorism. Please pray for the new government to successfully employ wise tactics for both these desperate situations. There are tensions with neighboring Afghanistan and India, along with the frustrating and unpopular counter-terror partnership with the United States. Please pray for wisdom for Nawaz Sharif, that he may turn his country in the right direction. In the past Sharif displayed more interest in consolidating his political power than governing effectively. If his third time in office is to be different, he will need to focus on the economy, domestic order and foreign relations.

Pray: also for the openness of new leadership to hear the voices of the religious minorities and allow them to live in peace.( Pr.4:6)

More: http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2013/0514/3-priorities-for-Pakistan-s-new-government/The-economy

This year an election will be held in Pakistan to elect a new president. Already there is much discussion about how to make the election fair and honest amid charges of potential fraud. Potential candidates are positioning themselves to run for nomination. We are asked to start praying now for the preparations for the elections to result in a free and fair event that the people will see as legitimate. Pray also for the candidates to be persons of honour and righteousness, able to govern effectively and for the region to move further towards freedom and justice. Taliban and al-Qaida affiliated groups with safe heavens in the north-west of Pakistan (see item 1 below) are very active in operating terrorist activities against the present ruling Awami National Party. The upcoming election process may turn into a battle ground and law enforcement authorities may find the situation very difficult to control. See also and For INSIGHTS into how to pray into terrorism rooted in Afghanistan and Pakistan click the 'Info' button.

Pray: for God to rule and reign throughout the region as it attempts to go through a transition towards peace and stability. (Pr.8:15)

Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=428&Itemid=93

In what has become disturbingly common practice in Pakistan, registering the usual low interest from the international media, once again Pakistan's Christians have been subjected to a hate-fuelled mob attack, hell-bent in their desire to make life unbearable for what little remains of Christ's followers in the region, reports Dignitatis Humanae Institute. Using the well-worn pretext of an alleged breach of the Pakistan's blasphemy law, an armed mob of local Islamists set upon the Christian neighbourhood within Lahore, reportedly attacking at least 200 Christian homes, a collection of shops and two churches in arson attacks. Whether there have been any casualties is yet to be determined. Such wanton destruction now means a large number of Christian families have been displaced, impoverished, and made homeless for nothing they have done personally, but for the hate held against their faith by certain Muslim groups in Pakistan.

Pray: for God’s mercy and protection for His people as they face such persecution.

More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue18984.html

The Haqqani Network is credited with introducing suicide bombing to Afghanistan and has been blamed for the series of brazen attacks during the weekend of April 15th in Kabul. The 18-hour battle left 36 insurgents and 11 others dead. Apart from Kabul the eastern capitals of Paktia, Logar and Nangarhar provinces also came under attack as suicide bombers tried to storm a NATO base, an airport and police installations there. JH. is one of the most important Taliban military commanders fighting against the Afghan government and US forces in Afghanistan and is seen by some analysts as the main engine in the Taliban movement. Despite ill health, he is in his 70s, he inspires Haqqani foot soldiers believed to number up to 4,000, as well as other militant groups who revere him. His son, S., is seen as more ruthless, and runs the daily affairs of the network. He is aligned with the current leader of al-Qaeda. We are asked to continue to intercede for PEACE and against CORRUPTION, and may all shady practices and illegal dealings be exposed no matter who is involved.

Pray: for J H and his son to experience miracles, for visions and dreams of truth from Jesus Christ and for all unholy alliances to disintegrate. (Ex.20:3)

In Pakistan energy shortages, inflation and insecurity are concen trating the minds of a generation about to vote for the first time on Saturday. Election-watchers regard young people as critical swing voters. Those aged between 18 and 29 make up 46% of the population, and many of them are eligible to vote for the first time.See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/08/pakistan-elections-imran-khan In the Philippines the husband of a town mayor was killed and a bomb attack injured four people in separate incidents of violence linked to mid-term elections next week. See: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/163407 Final results in Malaysia’s election show the ex-deputy prime minister's three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition won just 89 of 222 parliament seats, despite capturing the popular vote during Sunday's polls. The ex-deputy prime minister is vowing to stay in his post and lead a campaign challenging the results of a controversial defeat.

Pray: against all in positions of authority across the nations who conspire and plot their own  selfish ambitions. (Ps.2:4-5)

More: http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysias-anwar-vows-to-challenge-election-results/1656668.html