Praying for Afghanistan

Continent: Asia
Capital City: Kabul
Government: Taliban
Population: 34,124,811
Major People Groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, 77 people groups in total
Religion: Muslim 99.7% (Sunni 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%), other 0.3%
Language: Afghan Persian or Dari, Pashto, Uzbek, English
GDP Per Capita: $1,900
Literacy Rate: 38.20%

The Afghan people have suffered greatly from over 30 years of conflict both from internal factions and external groups.

A devastating civil war, followed by the oppressive rule of the Taliban, an extremist Islamic group, has created a society where over half the population has known nothing but war.
These conflicts left over 1 million dead, an estimated 4 million children orphaned, and approximately 2.5 million refugees.
The Taliban was driven out and a democratic government established (2002-2004), corruption remained rampant
With the withdrawal of US troops this last week, Taliban and tribal warlords are destabilizing the nation. Infrastructure is being destroyed
Afghanistan has one of the world’s lowest living standards, most live in poverty, and over half lack access to clean water.
Afghanistan’s destructive opium production rate is the highest in the world.
Life expectancy is only 50 years. 40% of the population is under the age of 14.
Under the oppressive Taliban reign (1996-2001):
girls were often forced to marry as children,
could not receive an education or be employed,
were required to wear a full burqa in public,
and could not leave the house unless accompanied by a male chaperone.
Those conditions for women improved slightly, but any freedoms are now being removed by the Taliban.

Pray for appropriate and expedient solutions to ongoing threats of violence.
Pray for Afghans who are seeking Truth to boldly embrace a new identity in Christ.
Pray for protection over Afghan believers and perseverance despite suffering.
Pray for wisdom for political leaders as they relate to the new administration in Afghanistan.
Pray for God to suppress the brutality. They are fully reliant on Him, as He is the only One who can and will protect them.
Pray that those who are trying to get to help would remain hidden supernaturally as they travel along the same routes where their oppressors are searching.
Pray for miraculous protection for women and children being forcibly taken and those that have already been taken for their protection, salvation, and deliverance.
As our brothers and sisters face a surge of persecution …

Pray for BOLDNESS! Pray the prayer of the early church in Acts 4:29: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness!”
Pray for PROTECTION! Many missionaries, pastors and leaders are trapped with the airports closed, borders shut and no way out! Heaven authorized two jail breaks in the book of Acts. Pray for divine interventions.
Pray for UNITY! Pray that the Church around the world would be united in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. This is NOT a partisan political issue. This is a KINGDOM issue.
Pray that the Church in Afghanistan would have courage and perseverance. Pray that they would experience revival in spite of the persecution they endure.
Pray for the underground church that it would continue to grow and expand in these days! Pray for a fresh wave of God's work to spread like a wildfire across the Middle East!

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