What to pray for Afghanistan

 Over the last few days the fear, devastation, and chaos of the Afghan situation has left many of us feeling bewildered and overwhelmed. In such crisis situations there is a discipline in prayer, and this blog is a basic response to so many friends struggling in knowing how and what to pray. Yes... God hears the cry of our hearts, the inexpressible made expressible by our union with Christ through the help of THE precious gift and gracious presence of His Spirit (Romans 8:26), but how do we pray intelligently, and intercede with consideration and growing conviction for these things? 

 

Here are 2 starting points /concrete foundations which may help a little...

THOSE STAYING

1) Pray for those remaining in Afghan for the sake of the church and to reach out to the hurting:

Over recent weeks, friends have been airlifted and migrated. Some so committed to the refugee cause have moved with the refugees wherever that takes them - we pray for our friends in refugee camps who are sharing aid, hope and the only lasting hope in Christ that many will turn to him. Those who remain however have the hardest task... how do they minister to the now underground church, shepherd them with teaching when contact is minimal, support them when they and their families are in deep danger? Whilst our hearts  pray for the danger to be taken away  - there may be much deeper things going on here as the two kingdoms face in battle, and as pastors lay their lives down for the sheep they protect. 

Pray that the kingdom of light seen through our Christ like brothers and sisters (who have chosen suffering for the sake of the church), and their weapons of love, truth and prayer, will shine brightly and expose the kingdom of darkness and fear for what it is.  

Phil 2:15

"that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."

 

• Pray for their supernatural purity and love in attitude, instinct, and conduct when surrounded by grotesque sin and self service. May children of the living God display true community (John 13:35), the indwelling of the God who is love (1 John 4:7-21)
• Pray for their rest and peace in Christ, assurance of eternal truth and redemption (Isaiah 43:19) as wanton destruction pervades every vista.
• Pray that they continue to live for the unseen and not what is seen. 

Daniel 12:2

"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."

Hebrews 11:1

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

2 Cor 4:18

"as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

THOSE ON THE MOVE
  2) Pray that in God's sovereign purposes, many will migrate to a situation which will aid their hearing of the gospel. Pray that the Kingdom of Christ, the new community of love will advance because of these circumstances. 

The enemy is not creative, his ways are predictable. (we do not have to be "outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs"  2 Cor 2:11).  Throughout history the enemy intent on destruction has repeatedly shot himself in the foot  being outmanoeuvred within God's redemptive plan. We see this most profoundly and acutely at the cross where the goal of executing the Son of God is seen as success, but all it does is complete our salvation, our sin is paid in full, our salvation is totally secured. 

 

Psalm 68:18

 

When you ascended on high,
    you took many captives;
    you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious—
    that you, Lord God, might dwell there.

 

Ephesians 4:8

This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

Colossians 2:13-14

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

 Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

 

Pray then that what was " intended for harm" may prove to be a pivotal moment whereby many come to find eternal life and hope in Christ. We have many friends on the ground, and as scattering occurs, we are seeing contact increase with those who are running into the arms of Christ, the gathering of his people. ACTION has instigated a new strategic project to this end, and if you would like to be part of that you can do so by contacting the office, or IM us. There is need for 500+ families, for tents, clothes and basics. By God's providence our workers and networks are perfectly placed. If you would like to help, we can help you do that through God's good people on the ground. Earmark any gift with "Afghan relief". God will have his way, and all his ways are good. 

 

Psalm 46:5

God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.

 

Psalm 100:5

 

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

We read all Psalms through the lens of Christ. He is our ultimate refuge and security. Put yourself in the place of an Afghan believer reading Psalm 91. We cry with those who weep and grieve (Rom 12:15-16). 

Psalm 91

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he^[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honour him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”