From Randy Alcorn: Please pray for the families of victims, those who were injured, and the church in Pakistan. (Read following from Clive Calver, World Relief president.) If you wish to help financially, you may send gift, with note designated “Medical Help, Pakistan church,” to

World Relief
7 East Baltimore St
Baltimore MD 21202

See website at www.wr.org

PRAYER REQUEST FROM WORLD RELIEF PRESIDENT CLIVE CALVER

Dear Friend:

On Sunday, March 17, 2002, Christians were gathered for worship at the non-denominational Protestant International Church in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Christian men, women and children—including many Americans—had just finished singing “This is Holy Ground” and were listening to the sermon.

Suddenly, men burst into the worship hall and threw several grenades. The explosions killed five of the worshipers—including an American Embassy worker and her teenage daughter. Dozens more were seriously injured. As I write, some are fighting for their lives.

This ‘holy ground’ was suddenly splattered with the blood of martyrs.

American Jim Killgore is the former pastor of the Protestant International Church in Islamabad. He left Pakistan last summer, and is currently working for Advancing Church Missions Commitment (ACMC), a longtime ministry partner of World Relief.

This week, Jim was shocked by the appalling act of terrorism. He knows many of the victims and their families. As I write, Jim is in route to Islamabad to comfort the grief-stricken and the traumatized. He will speak to the church this Sunday.

Please ask God to sustain Jim—and fill his heart with a message of comfort and hope.

The day after the attack, I met with Jim and pledged World Relief’s support. Jim told me that many of the victims were unable to afford medical treatment. In the coming months, many will need extensive care and therapy. Through Jim, World Relief is working to meet some of the physical needs of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ.

Please pray that our heavenly Father, the great Healer, will ease their pain and suffering.

At times like this, I turn to the Scriptures for comfort. In 2 Corinthians 5:1, the Apostle Paul tells us: “We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have an eternal house in heaven.”

I also look to the Scriptures to guide my response. In 1 Corinthians 12:26, Paul tells us that if one part of the Church body suffers, then “every part suffers with it.”

Thank you for standing with our hurting brothers and sisters in prayer at this critical time. Pray that the church will stand strong as a testimony to God’s love in this part of the world where terror too often strikes.

With love and peace in Christ Jesus,

Clive Calver
President, World Relief

Note: Although this is dated material, EPM thought it was still relevant to know that this kind of persecution is still happening in our world today.