Pastor Kidnapped and Tortured

01 March 2006

At about 10:30 a.m. on February 16, Rev. Joseph Praim was walking to his bank in Lahore, Pakistan to pay a bill when a car stopped near him. Islamic preachers jumped out and grabbed him. A handkerchief was placed over his mouth and he immediately lost consciousness. According to VOMC sources, the pastor of the Full Gospel Assemblies was robbed and woke up in a dark room where he was tied up, beaten and threatened with death. His abductors told him, "You belong to Christianity and your Christian brothers made derogatory cartoons of Prophet Mohammad in Denmark; that's why we are going to kill you." After five days without food or water, he was finally left on the road, tied up. Pastor Praim is now in hiding as he recuperates from his captivity.

Pray that Pastor Praim will find new strength in the Lord as he continues to recuperate. Ask God to lead the attackers to repentance and bring them into the family of God.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here.

Pakistan

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
Country Information
Population
247,653,551 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

Leader
President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Common law system with Islamic law influence

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.