Christians bombed on Easter

72 people killed in suicide bombing of Easter celebration in Lahore, Pakistan

On Easter Sunday, Christians all over the world gathered together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the U.S. and many other countries, people congregated without fear for their safety, a privilege many American Christians take for granted. In the Pakistani city of Lahore, a suicide bomber killed 72 people and injured 342 who were celebrating Easter at an amusement park.

Terrorist organization Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a militant Islamic group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Unfortunately, this is only one of many attacks aimed at Christians that have recently occurred in Pakistan.

“Last March, two bomb blasts at churches in Lahore killed 14 and injured more than 70 people,” Joe Carter of The Gospel Coalition wrote. “A twin suicide bomb attack at a Peshawar church in 2013 also left around 80 dead. And in 2009, nearly 40 houses and a church were burnt by a mob in Punjab, burning alive eight people.”

Although the attacks claimed several innocent lives, including women and children, Americans do not seem to have taken any notice. The U.S. State Department and White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest released a statement condemning the actions of the terrorist organization.

“The fact that you have an extremist organization targeting religious minorities and children is an outrage,” Earnest said.

Coverage by the U.S. ends there. The media soaked up the story for a couple days and then it disappeared. More importantly, Christians forgot.

In our complacency, American Christians easily forget that our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world are hurting, and we do nothing about it. Hardly even a prayer is said for the survivors who lost loved ones at the hands of terrorists.

So what can American Christians do from so many thousands of miles away?

First of all, talking with friends and family about Christian persecution happening around the world spreads the word that it is an ongoing issue that cannot be ignored. By talking about these acts of terror, people cannot claim that they were unaware. Once someone’s eyes are opened to the truth, he or she is far more likely to want to do something to help.

The Church cannot sit idly by, protecting their congregation, and pretend that nothing bad happens in the world. At the least, church leaders must provide prayer for those Christians being persecuted and offer a way for members to help in any way they can.

Showing fellow Christians that they are being prayed over and they are loved gives them hope during a crisis.

As Americans, it is also our responsibility to speak to our leaders about what we care about most. Writing a letter or calling your senator is one way to tell them what is truly important. Tell your senator that you condemn terrorism and acts of violence against Christian minorities in the Middle East. If enough people speak up, elected leaders who have the power to create change will get the message.

American Christians must wake up and realize that if they continue to ignore the acts of terror committed against our brothers and sisters in Christ, the terror will continue to grow and consume Christians all over the world.

Young is an opinion writer.