The Christians at Prayer Digest file two brief reports here which should remind us to pray -- and pray fervently -- for the peace and protection of our brethren who are under fire.Pakistan: There is concern about increasing pressure from the Taliban and the spread of sharia law in Pakistan, particularly in the north. After the government allowed the imposition of sharia law in the Swat valley, Taliban overran neighboring Buner, just 60 miles from the capital Islamabad, under cover of a peace pact.
Pakistani forces attacked Taliban fighters last Tuesday in an attempt to push them farther from the capital, but refused to discontinue peace talks. Christian believers fear extreme punishment for those who refuse to convert to Islam.
The Taliban attacked six churches and burned several Christian homes in Karachi. A nine-year-old Christian girl was gang raped and murdered in Faisalabad.
Sudan: Orchestrated attacks on Christians in Sudan are said to be on the increase since the International Christian Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudan President al-Bashir on charges of war crimes in Darfur.
Pro-government militias suspect Christians of siding with those who accuse him of war crimes. An evangelical church was completely destroyed. The pastor was still suffering from injuries sustained in an attack earlier in the month.