Recently, a family member sent a text on a Friday and asked us to pray for a 16-year-old Pakistani boy the person had heard about through her church who was scheduled to be executed the following Monday evening. His crime, as described in an article from the American Center For Law & Justice (aclj.org) magazine, was blasphemy over statements he didn’t even make. “A radical Muslim sectarian group manufactured the charges against this Christian boy when he was a minor and then pressured the judge to have him executed.” (Note: manufacturing charges against Christians happens frequently in 10/40 Window nations. As a result, homes are burned and people are beaten and killed.)
The ACLJ had taken up his case through their team on the ground in Pakistan to appeal the boy’s sentencing. The ACLJ has helped to free other Christians, like Asia Bibi, a mother who was accused of the same thing. Honestly it’s amazing that they can have a positive impact anywhere in Pakistan, because, as one Pakistani pastor told us, “This happens all the time here. Pakistani Christians are terrified!”
Since we found out about the execution at the last minute, we didn’t think that we could get it onto this blog in time, and so we messaged a few people and asked them to pray.
The following Thursday night , we just assumed the execution had taken place, BUT GOD INTERVENED! We got an update on the boy’s situation: “Miraculously, the morning of his execution the court had a case come up regarding whether it was right to execute someone for faith-based reasons. It was decided that they would change their stance which caused (his) execution to be cancelled! Because he dishonored Mohammed, they are still going to keep him in prison for five years, but he is alive! Thank you for your prayers!”
We were thrilled to hear that, once again, God hears and answers our prayers! It’s one of those things that you know, but this was a great reminder!
We can keep praying for this boy, “Achmed”, and other persecuted Christians around the world!
*Note: Name and Photo have been changed
And here’s a look at one of the many unreached peoples in Pakistan, The Punjab, from thewaitingworld.net