After Mussarat was arrested, her home was attacked by protestors with one of her teenage daughters there. Her daughter, frightened for her safety, fled for her life.
Meanwhile, Mussarat was in jail. She describes her experience and the horrific treatment she endured: “I have both diabetes and high blood pressure. In the dark, hot, filthy nights of Punjab’s summers, I cried for help. It felt like I was suffocating severely in the small jail cell.” She went on to say that she was abused and received derogatory remarks about her faith from the policewomen in jail. She was further mistreated and hit by other women prisoners when she cried for help due to her poor physical condition. The prisoners told her that she was an infidel and yelled, “Even if you [are about to] die in here, we won’t bring you out to breathe in open air.”
In torment as a persecuted believer in Pakistan, she stood true to her faith. ”Whenever I felt breathless and helpless, I prayed with tears and worshiped Him with happiness in the darkness. I knew Jesus is my light and He will bring me out of pain. He will break these chains. And He did … I was aware of the intensity of the charges against me. I was told it was impossible for me to get bail and exit jail, but I had faith in God who can change impossibilities into possibilities. So, I prayed with tears throughout all hours of the day in my small jail cell,” Mussarat says.
The scripture she continued to repeat to herself for strength is from Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
After her fervent prayers and the prayers from the Global Christian Relief community, a miracle took place: Mussarat received bail. This is something unprecedented, as blasphemy charges are taken very seriously.
Once she returned to work, however, a mob gathered around the school with sticks and rods, motivated by spiritual rewards if they killed her. She lost her job because of the sensitivity of the case she’s involved in.
“The school head is very angry at me. She cannot bear seeing me, and she will never hire me again. I have no other source of income, and I can’t find other work,” she explains.
She also had to flee her home and stay in different places without a permanent place of residence. “I am helpless, starving to death but still considered a threat to someone’s religion, only because of my faith and belief in Jesus.”
Still, Mussarat is grateful to God for performing a miracle in her life. “Jesus has taken me out of an impossible situation, and I have a strong faith He will again melt and mold hearts with the prayers of believers and will send His heavenly assistance in these difficult times. I will continue praying and worshiping Him till my last breath.”
One of the scriptures that encourages Mussarat is Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
What an impactful testimony to the power of prayer! The Lord hears our prayers and moves. Prayer truly does change things. When we put our faith in the Lord and seek first His kingdom, things happen! James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Thank you for praying for Mussarat, a persecuted believer in Pakistan. She needs our continued prayers. Join us in praying for her once more:
Lord Jesus, we ask You would protect Mussarat, her family and those she is staying with from harm. Surround them like a shield. Also, we pray for financial provision for her and her family. Provide abundantly for all of her needs and give her a job that she will be safe in.
Lastly, we pray for her lawyers helping her, that they would continue to be faithful even though she can’t pay them at this time. Keep her safe in court from those who would want to harm her and change the mind of the authorities. Let Your favor rest upon her and in her case. In Your name, we pray, Jesus, Amen.
About The Author
Amanda is a contributor at Global Christian Relief, an organization committed to raising awareness for Christian persecution. Learn more at GlobalChristianRelief.org.
*Please note that a representative photo has been used to ensure Mussarat’s safety and anonymity.
