After the Janwala riots in Pakistan

One year later.

Christians in Jaranwala continue to try to rebuild their lives. Many are still dealing with the aftermath and trauma of the tragic events that affected more than 10,000 believers when their churches were burned, their homes destroyed, vandalized, and looted. The sights and smells of burned bibles and household goods are still fresh in their minds. Believers like Malina and her husband Hamid (a pseudonym) are moving past this traumatic experience.

“I sometimes lie awake for hours,” she says, ”My husband was at a Christian camp that day, and he came back the next day. He didn't witness the attack, so he heard about it from us and saw the destruction. He still doesn't sleep well to this day. He sometimes hugs our son so close and tight that he's afraid he'll suffocate him.”

Alina was pregnant and due to give birth around the time of the riots.

Malina is one of more than a million Christians affected by the August 16, 2023 tragedy. According to data from civil rights-focused Pakistan HAFPI, 19 churches were torched and 89 Christian homes were destroyed in Faisalabad, Jaranwala.

Many of the affected believers are still struggling to find work and their children are unable to go to school.

Pray for those who are rebuilding their lives as we mark the first anniversary.

🙏This is Malina's prayer request.

“Please pray for my home. For God to protect our possessions and people, and help us to trust Him if this happens again. It's hard to trust when we live in a place we don't recognize, so many of us would rather leave. No one is responsible for us. Pray for the leaders who have spoken up for us. Pray that God will make the government listen. We need freedom through justice, freedom everywhere. Pray that God will change the hearts of our enemies, that they will give us our jobs back, that they will allow our children to come home, and that they will allow us to buy groceries in the stores. Pray that they will never come here again and burn our Bibles and crosses. Pray that I can learn how to read and write. My husband used to read the Bible to me, but now I want to read it for myself.”

Psalm 73: 23-26

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.