Elijah Project: Day 2

All right ladies and gents, we’re starting off this project with a big one.

All of the following information comes from Operation World by Drake Mandryke and is in no way my own work.

Country: Afghanistan

This is a country shattered by decades of war.

60% of the country is under the age of 20 and have only known Taliban rule.

What to pray for:

1) Continued threats of violence from Taliban that take a guise as civilians, as well as landmines that are still active throughout the country

2) Health risks- it is the world most dangerous place for a child to be born with one of the highest infant mortality rates. 78% of the population does not have access to clean water, and women are not allowed to receive medical care from men.

3) Poverty and living standards- many join with Taliban forces simply for the wage offered.

·    Afghanistan grows 90% of the worlds opium. This is a high source of their income as a country, also increasing the number of overdoses each year. Pray for the success of alternative agricultural means to prosper the country. 

4) Afghanistan is one of the most unreached countries in the world containing 48,000 mosques and not a single church building.

·      Afghan believers- pray for the protection of the underground church and for the clarity and consistency of their witness

·      Pray that no attacks can discourage or destroy the church, but that through suffering, the church will grow.

·      Many Afghans cannot see how to be both Afghan and openly Christian. Even if they wish to believe.

5) The status of women- depression and suicide or common, especially in widows.

·      Female literacy is under 20%

·      Over half of Afghan brides are under 16 years old.

6) The need for scripture- a full bible translation does not exists in any indigenous minority language.

What the Lord put on my heart through prayer:

A country of individuals:

As Americans, it’s easy to hear of the people of Afghanistan and to stereotype them in our minds. We think of Osama Bin Laden and the attacks on 9/11. We picture a country filled with hostile citizens that should be considered enemies.

But this is NOT how the Lord see’s them. He see’s people. He see’s individual hearts that he wants to set free. And to be honest, Afghans feel the oppression of the Taliban in much greater ways in their own country than we have here in the west. We often forget that.

Along these same lines, when we hear the word Muslim, we often associate that with the word “enemy” as well. It sounds horrible, but many of us do it without even thinking. We fail to see God’s heart for them. They are not simply a people group and they are not the enemy. They are lost children.

As Christians, we must learn to pray through the eyes of Christ and not through a template created by our own society. My prayer today is for our hearts, mine included, to be opened to this. To pray into God’s heart for the children of Afghanistan.

Freedom from fear:

Through my prayer I just felt the Lord showing me this tremendous spirit of fear surrounding the people of the country. Fear of the Taliban, fear to step out to be different in a culture so uniform, especially when it comes to belief.

I pray specifically for the church in Afghanistan. I pray that they won’t fall prey to this spirit of fear, but that they would go to battle against it. That they wouldn’t let it take a hold of their own lives as a church, determining their steps and deterring their faith. And even greater, that they would enter into intercession for their nation to break free from it.

In the same way I pray discernment for the church. That while not falling prey to fear they would be sensitive to the wisdom that comes with the Holy Spirit. That they would know the Lord’s voice and be filled with boldness to speak out when they are led. And more than anything I pray for endurance as they take that step of boldness. That persecution would not deter or discourage them, but that it would just stoke the fire within them.

You know, sometimes I feel a little hypocritical praying into situations like this when I’ve never even had a glimpse into the lives of those that go through it every day. But it makes me so grateful to know that I’m being led by the Holy Spirit. And although I’m not there with them, although I live in a country of freedom where I’m not afraid to pray, through prayer and intercession I’m able to join in with my brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.

There is unity in prayer that none can come against.

So Father, in joining in with this fight, I just pray peace and confidence over the church in Afghanistan. I pray for protection and discernment. And I pray for freedom over a nation that has known nothing but hostility for years. With this new generation I pray a release of bondage and for a generation of courage that will lead the country into a new time of freedom. I pray for Christian leaders in politics. I almost feel ridiculous praying for that because it seems so impossible. But Father we know nothing is impossible with you. Thank you for the love that you have for the Afghan people. I pray that each person will feel the magnitude of love that you have for them in such a deep and redeeming way. Thank you for hearing. Thank you for loving.