• Flooding was and continues to be a huge disaster. It is important to pray.
• Millions of people affected.
• Food and disease problems take a huge toll, even years later.
• It will be less if people pray.

Pakistan means, "Land of the Pure" or "The Holy Land".

Formed in 1947 as a homeland for the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent, its primary identity is religious rather than ethnic or historical. The largest single ethnic group are the Punjabis (80 million) from the rich agricultural province of Punjab, but the Pushtun, Baluch and Sindhi communities are also significant in size and influence. Urdu, the national language, is the mother tongue of only a minority of peoples within the nation.

This diversity is at the root of growing tensions within Pakistan and in recent years it has resulted in rising levels of both ethnic and sectarian (especially Sunni vs. Shia) violence. The inability of the various groups to live together in peace under the banner of Islam has caused many to question the ideological basis of the country. This was especially seen in the subdued way in which people commemorated 50 years of independence in 1997.

Bondages in Pakistan

The dissatisfaction with what Pakistan has become; e.g. rampant corruption, drug addiction and violence in "the land of the pure", has opened the door for Islamic fundamentalists to offer their solution to the social problems through an Islamic revolution. This has tended to make the already beleaguered Christian minority even more apprehensive. Yet despite of the growing influence of fundamentalism, Pakistanis today, especially the educated, are more open to consider other options than at any time since the formation of the country.

Religiously, Islam in Pakistan venerates the person of Mohammed to an extent that comes close to the Islamic definition of idolatry. The "blasphemy law", which forbids demeaning God or his prophets, has been used predominantly as a means to settle scores, both against other Muslims and against minorities, including Christians. Yet under the surface of official Islam there lies a world of bondage to charms, spirits and the "evil eye".

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

Pray for the Muslims in Pakistan:

* Pray that the growing undercurrents of dissatisfaction will not erupt into widespread violence but open their hearts to new options, especially the Gospel.

* Pray for the Pakistani church, historically small, weak and divided, to be renewed and set on fire with a vision for ministry to their neighbours. Pray for literature and other resources to be produced in the heart languages of the people.

* Pray that the power of folk-Islam, including the power of charms, curses and amulets, would be broken and that people would be free to respond to the Gospel.

Background on Pakistan (World Factbook)

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples.

The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but discussions and confidence-building measures have led to decreased tensions.

Economy of Pakistan

Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes, low levels of foreign investment, and a costly, ongoing confrontation with neighboring India. Record floods in July-August 2010 lowered agricultural output and contributed to a jump in inflation, and reconstruction costs will strain the limited resources of the government. Textiles account for most of Pakistan's export earnings.

About Pakistan

Population: 187,342,721 (June 2011 est.) World rank #6

Life Expectancy at Birth: 65.99 years. World rank #166

Ethnic Groups: Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhagirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28%

Religions: Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%

Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski and other 8%

Literacy: 49.9% -- Male: 63%, Female: 36%

School life expectancy: 7 years

People and Power - Pakistan Video

A report from Baluchistan, where nationalists struggle for greater control over their region's natural resources

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One-fifth of Pakistan was under water. Outbreaks of cholera and dysentery caused deadly waterborne diseases. The number of people reported to be suffering from acute diarrhea was in the hundreds of thousands.

Opportunities

Yet this disaster opened opportunities to show God’s love to the Pakistani people and serve in the name of Jesus Christ. Many recognised that the help was from local Christians. One Pakistani district official commented, "I appreciate the efforts of Christian people; you always step in first to help in times of need and serve without any greed."

At the end of one distribution, a man from a local village said to Christian workers, "I’d never met any Christians in my life. This is my first chance to see a Christian; but you look like us.” The team member told him that they follow Isa (Jesus). The man replied, “No person from my faith came to help us, but you came from a distant place. Surely you are true followers of Isa" (the Islamic name for Jesus). Another man said after working alongside a team for one month, "There is no salvation without Isa Masih (Jesus the Messiah)." He had been seeking the truth for two years.

Not All Good News

However, it was not all good news in Pakistan. According to one leader, "Some Christian refugees were openly denied aid, while others are told to leave or convert to Islam. You can imagine that terrible choice: either you abandon your faith or you cannot feed your child."

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

Prayer Ideas:

• Pray for the long-term recovery work across Pakistan. Pray for all the flood victims -- the bereaved, the injured, and those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Many have lost wealth, homes and businesses built up over generations. Pray that all will find adequate shelter, clean water and food. They need the hope that comes from God’s promises.
• Pray for Christians in Pakistan, the majority of whom are desperately poor. May they know the comfort and provision of their heavenly Father.
• Pray for the many new believers who came to know the Messiah during the floods. They need discipleship and to understand the love of God the Father and the Messiah.
• Pray for the many believers who seek to bring hope, life and peace in difficult circumstances.

Listen to the Podcast - DAY 14 - The Pakistan Floods

Video: Unprecedented Flooding in Pakistan (3:57)

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Northern Pakistan, bordered by China to the north, Afghanistan to the northwest, and India to the east, has some of the most breathtaking sights in the world. It is there, nestled between five of the world’s highest mountain peaks, that Pakistan’s northern tribes can be found.

The Kolai Tribe

Numbering around 410,000, the Kolai are one of those tribes (last year we prayed for the Kho people).

Most people in this region work as farmers and shepherds. The northern tribes are isolated by mountain ranges and political borders. Many of the Kolai have various health problems due to poor water quality and poor nutrition. Drinkable water, sewage disposal, and drainage facilities are available for less than 8% of the population.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

What They Believe

Today, the vast majority of the people are Sunni (orthodox) Muslim, and some also practice shamanism. They believe that there is an unseen world of demons, fairies, and ancestral spirits, so they depend on shamans to cure the sick, communicate with the spirits, and control events.

Prayer Starters:

• Worship the Lord as the only true Deliverer from the power of sin, death and demons. Proclaim Jesus as the true Lord of the Kolai villages and towns.
  Pray that the Kolai would extend favour to those who bring the Gospel.
• Ask the Lord to raise up labourers who can effectively deal with the significant spiritual forces at work in the Kolai area (Mark 6:13, Acts 10:38).
• People are needed to help with sanitation and nutritional issues as well.

Listen to the Podcast - DAY 06 - Kolai People of Pakistan

Video: Interview with Pakistani Pastor (2:51)

House Churches & Persecution from Jeff Powell on Vimeo.

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The soaring Pamir mountains dominate the landscape of greater Badashan / Badakshan, which spills over North Eastern Afghanistan, Eastern Tajikistan and Northern Pakistan. The peoples who live in these isolated mountain communities generally feel distinct from the majority of the populations in their nations. Badakshanis speak Eastern Persian mountain languages. They are often fairer skinned than others in their countries, with Caucasian features. However, the most distinctive aspect of Badakshani identity is their religion.

Badakshan is the one part of the world where the Muslim Ismaili sect makes up the majority of the population. The Agha Khan, their spiritual leader, has become like a god to them. To quote a Badakshani: “The Agha Khan is like a living Koran for us. He shows us the way and how to live. Our religion is not stuck in history. We have a modern Imam to show us how to live in the 21st Century. We see the light of Mohammed on him.” Most other Muslims consider the Ismailis to be heretics.

There are few believers in Badakshan and no known believing communities. However, many Badakshanis are coming to faith elsewhere. There are believers in Dushanbe - the capital of Tajikistan - and in Moscow, where many Tajik Badakshanis become migrant labourers. Pray for believers living in other places, that they might wisely proclaim Jesus in their communities.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

Prayer Starters:

• Meditate on Jeremiah 16:19-21 and use it in prayer.
• Pray for those who worship the Agha Khan as a god, and that they may come to a realisation that he is just a man.
• Spiritual blindness and the spirit of deception seem to be two major strongholds in Badakshan. Pray for these barriers to the Gospel to be removed.

Video: Sights and Sounds of Badakhshan

Special Section: Pray for the Uyghur Peoples of China

The following information came from Western China as we were preparing the “30 Days” for 2009. We have asked for prayer for the Uyghurs in the past. It seems urgent to pray now. Some Uyghurs live within 400 kilometers of Badakshan.

In Northwest China there are only 100-200 believers among the Uyghur people (pronounced ‘ooy-goor’) who number about 11 million in population. The Uyghurs are largely preoccupied with a) making a living and b) the strife between their Muslim / Uyghur cultural heritage and the controlling Chinese Communist system. This area was a significant point on the Silk Road from Europe and the Middle East to China and now it seems to be one of the last regions to be reached by the Body of Christ. In the past fifteen years, thousands of Muslims all along the Silk Road in Central Asia have become believers in Jesus (along with millions of Han Chinese), however, there is still no resilient Uyghur church. There are many stories of unfair treatment, as well as house fellowships being broken up as soon as they get started. Three key men are now in jail; the little community of believers is floundering. Fear keeps them from moving beyond private belief to a sharing, deep life in Christ.
May God guide you to pray for the Uyghurs as only he can.

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One language, many tribes

Possibly five million people in northern Pakistan are Hindko speakers. This is more than the population of Norway and about the same as Turkmenistan. Made up of several ethnic groups, mostly Pathans and Moghuls, the Hindko are more of a language group than a people group.

Hindko speakers make their living as farmers or merchants in the foothills of the Himalayas. Corn and wheat are the most important crops. These grains are ground into flour and used to make a flat bread that accompanies every meal. The people lead very simple lives, but often go to great lengths to secure an education and a better future for their children. Only about 25% of Hindko speakers can read in any language.

Compared to their Pashto-speaking relatives, Hindko speakers are know for being gentle and peace-loving. They even tend to be more open-minded than their neighbours. Still, only a handful of Hindko speakers are followers of Jesus. At the same time, economic disparities and political disenfranchisement have led many of these gentle people to seek change through Islamic fundamentalism. The local school system has been largely taken over by fundamentalists which has sometimes even led young men from poor families into terrorist organisations.

Looking for Answers

The devastating earthquake of October 2003 caused deaths in nearly every Hindko-speaking family. Even today, many are still looking for a new livelihood, permanent housing, and answers to their deeper questions. Interest in reading the New Testament remains high, but the Word of God in Hindko is not yet available in print. Most have never had an opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

Prayer starters:

* Pray that Hindko believers would overcome their fear of persecution .

* Pray for additional believers willing to lovingly serve Hindko speakers through practical means.

* Pray that God would reveal Himself through various means including dreams and visions among Hindko speakers.

* Pray that Hindko speakers would have access to God's Word in their own language through print, audio recordings, radio and the internet.

Troubled Pakistan

The entire world has become aware of the suffering of Pakistan. The Kashmir Earthquake, terrorist bombing and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto kept Pakistan in the headlines in recent years. It is possible there will be other events before this booklet is published. Remember to pray for this country.

Video: BBC: Saira Khan's Pakistan

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Muslim But Different

Their practices are based around the teachings of Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri, a 15th century and South Asian Islamic Messiah figure (Mahdi). In religious practice, the Zikris differ greatly from mainstream Muslims. Zikris perform five daily prayer rituals called Zikr in which sacred verses are recited which differ from orthodox Islamic prayer. Zikris do pilgrimage to their most famous shrine at Koh-e-Murad, near the city of Turbat in Baluchistan, on the twenty seventh night of Ramadan. "Koh" means "mountain", and "Murad" is a name, meaning "aim"or "desire". It has been reported that the Zikris perform rites similar to a traditional Hajj when on pilgrimage to the shrine.

The name Zikri comes from the Arabic word dhikr (pronounced "Zikr" in South Asia) that refers to remembrance, usually of Allah. This is reflective of the Zikri worship, focused on the recitation of Islamic credos. The movement of Syed Jaunpuri started as a reaction to the worldly pursuits of the Muslim elite. Zikris have faced persecution mainly from Sunni Muslims, but this usually has occurred in areas where they are in a minority, or in conflict with non-Zikri power groups. The Zikri came to Baluchistan seeking safety, and in their isolation, they deviated from the Muslim majority practices.

The Future Question

It is probable that many other influences will come into the lives of the Zikri in the coming years. The Pakistani and Chinese governments have been deeply involved in developing the Gwadar deep-sea port which is being linked to the rest of Pakistan, to China and to Central Asia through a system of roads and pipelines. Gwadar's population is about 50% Zikri. If the forecasted economic development based on the port actually takes place all of Baluchistan and the region will be significantly affected.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

It has been reported by a couple of fishermen that Jesus appeared to them in a storm and rescued them while on a fishing trip. Pray that many more Zikri fishermen would truly encounter Jesus, and become real fishers of men!

Prayer Requests for the Zikri Baluch:

* In recent years a number of Zikris who have become followers of Jesus. Pray for growth in the ways of God (faith, hope and love) for all of these new believers (1 Cor 13).

* Pray also that these new believers would make known their faith among their family and friends, and that whole families and clans would become followers of Jesus.

* Pray that the top religious leaders of the Zikris would come to know Jesus, through the Scriptures, testimonies, films, dreams, visions, healings, etc., so that their followers would also embrace the Truth.

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Vast, rugged, describes the area of the Baluch people of Pakistan

Baluchistan is a vast, rugged, mountainous, arid, semi-desert area that is hot (above 120°F or 48°C for the most of the summer) and difficult for farming and life in general. Irrigation is either from deep wells or rain-dependent. Most Baluch are poor, though some have managed to work their way into wealthy political, medical or business positions. The majority still live in rural areas or in small towns. Their occupations are generally fishing, farming and raising livestock (goats and chickens). Baluch fishermen work the coast of the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Inland Baluch raise livestock and farm the land; dates are a major crop, as are vegetables and grains such as wheat. Some are nomads.

In large cities such as Karachi and Quetta, the Baluch pursue a variety of menial jobs, such as truck drivers, rickshaw drivers, office workers, security guards and mechanics: few Baluch work as traders and shop owners. In the Gulf countries they work as police, in the military or at menial jobs.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

Baluch women are mostly illiterate and confined to the home according to Baluch customs. Between household and child-rearing chores, they work on hand embroidery of their own clothes and other items.

Coming to Faith

Numerous evangelistic efforts have been initiated among the Baluch over the past 25 years. Some Baluch have come to faith in Christ: no-one really knows how many, but probably no more than about 20 or 30 among Baluch speakers. There is some minor persecution of believers, particularly of those who actively share their faith with others. The major need of these believers is employment, so that they can support their families and contribute to their communities.

Pray for the Baluch Muslims in Pakistan:

* Using Romans 10:12-17 as a starting point, pray for more workers to be called to take the gospel to the Baluch people. Pray that God will smooth the way for these workers, and give them divine inspiration and guidance in reaching out to the Baluch.

* Most Baluch women are isolated and cut off from those who could bring the gospel to them. Pray for openings for the Good News to reach Baluch women.

* Using John 16:33 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6 as the basis, pray for those Baluch who have come to know Jesus, that they will remain strong in the faith despite persecution.

* Pray for the few Baluch believers, that they may be prosperous (Genesis 13:2-4; Deuteronomy 8:18).

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Over the centuries some Gujjars have taken up a sedentary, agricultural lifestyle. However, many are still to be found migrating to the mountain pastures each summer. Gujjar life is hard and beset with difficulties, including poverty, illiteracy, lack of medical facilities, and disempowerment.

The Gujjar in India and Kashmir

The Gujjar lifestyle has been disturbed by 15 years of militancy in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The mountain heights are no longer considered safe, and this has caused many Gujjars to give up migrating altogether. Other areas have seen overgrazing of pastures and jungles, so that the migration routes no longer support the animal herds. Other Gujjars have given up migrating to pursue a better life in the towns with salaried employment and access to education and healthcare.

As the Gujjars move from a traditional lifestyle to a modern one, their culture is experiencing rapid change. Family relationships are struggling to adjust to a new social environment, and often there are tensions between family members. Traditional clothes are being replaced by modern ones.

The Growth of Islam among the Gujjar

Historically, Gujjars have been known as folk Muslims. Today, though, many Gujjars are becoming increasingly orthodox through the efforts of Islamic teachers. Nevertheless, most Gujjars still visit Muslim shrines in times of need, and traditional cures and amulets are dispensed by holy men called"pirs". The most influential pir for Indian Gujjars is Mian Bashir, a Sufi whose father and grandfather are entombed at the shrine of Wangat Sharif in Kashmir. In the spiritual worldview of Gujjars, these holy men are close to God, whom they consider to be distant and inaccessible apart from the assistance of a pir.

Certain shrines are said to have power to grant particular requests, such as for health, wealth, children, or deliverance from evil spirits. The supplicant pledges allegiance to the entombed saint, vowing his or her loyalty and life in exchange for the granting of the favour asked. A positive result is sometimes achieved, but only at the cost of spiritual bondage and demonisation. A small group of Gujjars has already exchanged this desperate servitude for the abundant life given freely by the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

Questions Among Gujjar Youth

The past 15 years have been turbulent times for the Gujjar people, and an assortment of external pressures have led to an increased receptivity among the younger generations. Many, perhaps most, young Gujjars have begun to question the worldview, religious beliefs and practices of their elders. They are looking for real spiritual answers.

Prayer requests:

* Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send out additional workers among the Gujjar.

* At present there is no Gujjar Bible, but translation work is in process. Pray for translations in all Gujjar dialects. Pray also for audio/oral Bibles in the Gujjar language, as most Gujjars are illiterate.

* Pray for the fellowship and spiritual growth of the Gujjar believers.

* Pray that the Gujjar believers would organize themselves into groups that multiply and become salt and light to their people.

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Lahore - the Heart of Pakistan

For Pakistanis, however, it is Lahore's romance and rich cultural heritage that causes them to refer to the city as "The Heart of Pakistan". Lahoris are known for their poetry, their hospitality and their fantastic food. The tragic tale of the slave girl Anarkali, who was entombed alive because of her forbidden love for a prince, is remembered today in Lahore's famous Anarkali Bazaar. It was in Lahore that Rudyard Kipling set his classic tale Kim. It was also in the streets of Lahore that Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims butchered one another during the horror of partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.

In the very heart of Lahore is the Old City, which is an ancient walled citadel built before the 16th century. Today it is populated by the real Lahoris, a culturally distinct subgroup who speak their own dialect of Punjabi. Many of these families can trace their ancestry back beyond Mogul days when the emperor Aurangzeb ruled (Emperor 1658-1707). They are a closed community and totally unreached with the gospel.

Lahore's Christian roots

Lahore's Christian roots go back over 100 years. In the early 20th century John "Praying" Hyde spent years in Lahore and surrounding towns interceding for revival. An incredible move of God among low-caste Hindus resulted, and today's Pakistani Church is largely the fruit of that revival. However, the Church remains small and segregated from the majority Muslim population.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

Lahore was undamaged in the major earthquake of October 2005 and was able to offer much relief into the devastated area.

Pray for the Muslims in Pakistan:

* Pray that the kingdom of God will penetrate every aspect of society in Lahore (Matt 13:31-33).

* There are still very few people from the majority Muslim community who have come to faith. Pray for a spiritual awakening to come not just among low-caste Hindus but to the Muslim majority as well (2 Pet 3:9).

* Pray that the Christians in Lahore will be strengthened in faith and in love despite the many pressures and persecutions that threaten them (2 Thess 1:4).

* Ask God to raise up many labourers with the ability and perseverance to be salt and light to the Muslims of Lahore.

* Let us continue to pray that the aid workers and helpers to the earthquake-devastated region in Pakistan and Kashmir and India would be good examples of Christian love in action.

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The Crossfire in Pakistan

Many different people groups were caught in the crossfire of the Hindu and Muslim violence including millions of Muslims in India. Thousands of these Muslims migrated to the southern Pakistan city of Karachi and surrounding province of Sindh, taking the name Mohajir, which in Urdu has the idea of "refugee".

In Pakistan, there are an estimated 170 ethnic groups and more than 68 languages spoken.

Tinderbox for the Mohajirs of Pakistan

While other Muslims from India who migrated to Pakistan assimilated into the nation, the Urdu speaking Mohajirs, who settled in Karachi and the surrounding province of Sindh, continue to use this name even today.

A militant, ethnic based party called the Mohajir Quomi Movement (MQM) continues in a violent campaign against the government, demanding more representation and rights for the Mohajirs. In 1995 alone more than 1700 people were killed in Karachi, many of them being Mohajirs.

Flag of Pakistan

Map of Pakistan

The city of Karachi is a significant and beautiful city with a key geographical position. Karachi was the capital of Pakistan until 1963, when the capital moved to Islamabad.

Efforts have been underway for many years to bring an effective Gospel witness to the Mohajirs, but progress in slow. Much prayer is still needed for this city and province, for the peace and love of God to be powerfully present and visible.

Pray for the Mohajirs in Pakistan:

* For the workers in Karachi and other parts of Sindh reaching out to Mohajirs, for strength and encouragement.

* For the believers in Jesus among the Mohajirs and small fellowships that exist, for boldness and protection.

* For many more labourers to reach out to Mohajirs.

* For peace to come to Karachi and the Sindh, that the Mohajirs would find their true identity in Jesus.

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