Modern Martyrdom in Pakistan

In America, typical sacrifices made to attend worship on Sunday morning relate to giving up our tee time at the golf course, changing the time we have set for brunch, or not in sleeping after a night out on the town.  

We have no clue what sacrifice really means, but the worshipers at All Saints Anglican Church in Peshawar, Pakistan do.  Over 80 of them were killed last week during a suicide bombing attack during worship.



 

O God, you make the blood of the martyrs the seed of the church: Grant that we who remember before you the blessed martyrs of Peshawar, who opened in the heart of Pakistan the loving way of your Son Jesus Christ, may like them, persevere unfalteringly in the faith for which they died, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 

 

(Adapted from the prayer about the Martyrs of Uganda found in "The New Book of Festivals and Commemorations" by Philip Pfatteicher).

 

UPDATE: Here is a link to a great article on Pakistan's Christian minority: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/09/pakistan-christians-blog.html 

 

UPDATE #2: According to the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Peshawar, the death toll from the September 22nd bombing is 127, with 170 injured.  Here is a link which contains the Bishop's information, as well as links to sites which offer a way to help.

http://titusonmission.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/peshawar-all-saints-update-bomb-casualty-toll-funds-appeal-other-bombings/