26 July 2006
Methodist Church backs ecumenical day of prayer for Pakistan
The Methodist Church is supporting a day of prayer for Pakistan,
taking place on August 6. The day of prayer is organised by the
Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Association in Bradford.
The day of prayer is a response to attacks on Christians and
churches in Pakistan, but the organisers want people to also focus
on a wider range of concerns. The day of prayer has drawn wide
support from local and national churches and Christian
organisations.
The Revd Peter Whittaker, Chair of the Methodist West Yorkshire
District, is one of the local church leaders backing the event. 'An
important minority group with whom we work more and more in the
West Yorkshire District are Christians of Pakistani heritage,' he
says. 'They need our prayer support as they search for their
identity in this society and as they seek to support other
Christians in Pakistan who are often under pressure, suffering
discrimination and even persecution.'
Dr Elizabeth Harris, Methodist Secretary for Inter Faith Relations,
said, 'This day of prayer is important in highlighting the
discrimination faced by Christians in Pakistan. But many of the
things Christians will pray for on 6 August, such as harmony
between faiths, political stability and freedom from terrorism,
would benefit all Pakistanis. As Methodists, we are committed to
praying for and supporting Christians wherever they suffer.'