The following is from my friends at Mission Network News - one of the best sites online covering Christian missions and persecution.
Pakistan (MNN) -- More than 20 people have died in violence in the siege of the Red Mosque. Leaders have threatened to impose Taliban style rule in Islamabad. It's proving to be a rallying point for government opponents. The building has been surrounded by Pakistani government troops since July 3, when clashes broke out between armed student radicals and government forces.
However, Glenn Penner with Voice of the Martyrs, Canada says, "The hotbed for militant Islam is really Pakistan, not necessarily even places like Iraq or Afghanistan. But, a lot of groups like the Taliban and Al Qaeda actually receive an awful lot of their train and inspiration from Pakistan."
Penner believes this newest crisis could be difficult for Christians. "It seems like every time there's a dispute between the government and the militant islamists the Christians often face consequences in some regards or another."
He describes some of the violence Christians face regularly. 'You've got young girls being kidnapped and raped. You've got church leaders who have been arrested, believers who have been charged with blasphemy simply because they've gotten into a dispute with their neighbors. This is a regular occurrence."
Penner calls Pakistan one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians.
Voice of the Martyrs Canada is doing all they can to help the church in Pakistan by, "Helping to equip church leaders to understand, what does the Bible teach about persecution, and then to encourage their fellow believers to respond in a biblical fashion to the persecution that they're facing."
AS attacks against Christians increase, Penner says the work of Christians won't end. "Those that are active and who are compelled to share the Gospel of Christ are going to do so whether or not there's persecution. And so, as bad as things may get there, there are always going to be those who are going to be reaching out to those that hate them with the love of Christ."
Penner is asking people to pray that VOM can provide resources that we need and pray specifically for our brothers and sisters who are reaching to out. It's not safe for them to do, but it's never save to follow Jesus, is it?"