Asif Pervaiz has been in prison since 2013. He was accused of sending blasphemous text messages by a Muslim man who had unsuccessfully attempted to convert Asif to Islam.
Asif had lost his sim card, which this Muslim man somehow managed to obtain. Blasphemous texts were sent from this sim card, incriminating Asif. In September 2020 he was given the death penalty.
Source: Release International
Currently, it’s very difficult for brother Asif; he is in a very small cell that he shares with two Muslims. These two men are creating problems for him which makes it difficult for him to read the Bible and sleep. However, in his time in prison, he has read the New Testament nine times.
Asif remains concerned about his wife and children as they are finding life difficult without him. The family have had to move and they are struggling to pay rent and school fees for the children.
His wife Marylin visits Asif every month and is asking God’s people to pray for her husband to be free and for their safety.
Let us pray.
- Pray the Lord’s ministering presence will be upon Asif, Marylin and their children. Pray they will see the Lord’s merciful hand at work in their daily lives so that they will not despair but continue to trust in Him during this trying time.
- Pray the Lord will give Asif wisdom and grace in his dealings with his fellow prisoners. Thank the Lord for the opportunity for him to read God’s Word while in prison. Pray for an increase of faith.
- Echo Marylin’s prayers for her husband, that the Lord may ensure his release soon and that in the meantime, the family will be protected.
In Psalm 7 we read these words of refreshment and wisdom. You Righteous Lord are work in and through your people. In Your good, loving and eternal purposes may these words be the experience of Asif while in prison with those who would persecute, distract and mock him. May he count it all joy that he suffers all kinds of trials because of the name of Christ.
14 Behold, the wicked man conceives evil
and is pregnant with mischief
and gives birth to lies.
15 He makes a pit, digging it out,
and falls into the hole that he has made.
16 His mischief returns upon his own head,
and on his own skull his violence descends.
17 I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.
We ask omnipresent Lord that you be powerfully and wonderfully with Asif, Marylin and their children as they endure this suffering. We pray for patience and that they will see Your merciful hand at work in their daily lives so that they will not despair but continue to trust in You during this trying time.
Give Asif wisdom and grace in his dealings with his fellow prisoners. We praise and thank You for the opportunity for him to read the NT while in prison and ask You to increase his faith in Christ and His promises. Thank you for Marylin’s faith and prayers for Asif, that You may ensure his release soon and that in the meantime, the family will be protected and blessed by fellowship and the encouragement of your Spirit. Lord have mercy.
Thank you brother for your faithful prayers for our brothers and sisters.