Oh Lord God, you are the Most High God. There is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath (1 Kings 8:23). You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). You are our strength and shield, we trust in you and find help (Psalm 28:7). Your way is perfect, your word proves true, you are a shield and a fortress for all who take refuge in you (Psalm 18:30).
We come before you, recognizing that you are the Most High God, to ask that you pour out your mercy on the people of Afghanistan. Our hearts break for what is taking place in that nation, and we know that your heart breaks as well. We know that you are the defender of the weak, the father of the fatherless and the protector of widows (Psalm 68:5). We know that you care about justice and you care about what is going on in Afghanistan. And so we trust that you will act and we call on your to have mercy.
We want to first lift up the country of Afghanistan as a whole. We pray that you would rescue the weak and the needy in that country and deliver them from the hand of the T-ban (Psalm 82:4). We plead on behalf of these people that the injustice and the terror of the T-ban would be brought to an end and that the people of Afghanistan would experience peace. We pray that there would be a spiritual awakening among the people of Afghanistan, that they would seek God and perhaps feel their way toward you and find you (Acts 17: 27). Make yourself know to people in Afghanistan and refugees who are fleeing the country, Lord. We pray that you would open their eyes and that you would show yourself to them through dreams and visions. May they see Jesus and turn to him, Lord (Hebrews 1:1-2).
We pray as well for the Afghans who are all over the world and have family and friends in Afghanistan. Please comfort them and bring them peace. May the churches in those areas rise up and reach out to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). As refugees pour out of Afghanistan, Lord, please stir the heart of your church to reach out to them: to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to welcome the stranger, to clothe the naked, to visit the sick (Matthew 25:35-36). Stir up your church to be your hands and feet among those who are fleeing and in danger because of the T-ban in Afghanistan.
We know that you have made all people in your image (Genesis 9:6). This includes those who are experiencing pain and trouble in Afghanistan and it includes the T-ban as well. We recognize that you do not desire the killing and the pain and destruction that is taking place in Afghanistan right now to continue. We recognize that the T-ban are under the grip and the power of the evil one. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Please, father, break the power that the evil one has over the members of the T-ban. May Christ be revealed to them and may their hearts be changed because of the power of Christ in their lives breaking the power of the evil one.
Lord, we lift up your church in Afghanistan, the people who are called by your name. We pray that you would strengthen their faith and that you would fill them with your peace (Colossians 1:11, John 14:27). We pray that believers would persevere, no matter what happens next. As they face terrible trials and persecutions, Lord, please give them the boldness to stand up and to continue to proclaim your name in the face of their enemies (Acts 4:29). May your church in Afghanistan continue to grow through this time, Father God. We do pray that they would count it all joy, whatever trials come thier way. May they know that this time of testing will produce in them steadfastness (James 1:2-3). We know that the one who endures to the end will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Please encourage and strengthen the church. May many in Afghanistan come to know you because of the witness of believers around them.
Finally we ask that you would empower and strengthen those who are serving Afghans. May they not grow weary of doing good (Galatians 6:9). Help them to remain steadfast and immovable, abounding in the work of the Lord. May they be assured that their labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). We ask that you would raise up workers, raise up laborers for the harvest among Afghans, both in Afghanistan and around the world (Matthew 9:37-38).
Lord, hear our cry for mercy. Hear our prayer. Amen.
Amen and Amen!
Amen!