Pray for Afghanistan

A member of the Afghanistan parliament has called for the "public execution of Christian converts."  After a video was broadcast on Afghan television showing men being baptized and praying, the deputy secretary of the Afghan lower house stated that such apostates from Islam should be arrested and executed.

A video showing Afghan men being baptized and praying in Farsi has caused an uproar in Afghanistan.  After being broadcast on national television, members of the parliament said these and other apostates should be publically executed.  They also called for foreign aid groups to be investigated.  Some suspected of proselytizing have already had their activities suspended.

Proselytizing in Afghanistan is illegal and anyone choosing to leave Islam can be punished by death.

According to International Christian Concern (ICC), national Christians have gone into hiding to avoid being arrested and possibly executed.

The statements made in the Afghan parliament, noted one observer, sounded like the sentiments of the Taliban.  Even as military forces from non-Islamic nations are fighting to free Afghanistan from terrorism, Christians inside the country are being threatened with deadly persecution.

"Intervention is not a choice," said ICC, "but a responsibility."

PRAY FOR:

- Believers in Afghanistan to be protected by the mighty Hand of the Lord.  Pray for them to put their hope and trust in the Lord and be strengthened by the Spirit of the Living God.  (The Bible, Psalm 46:1)

the Lord to move among members of the Afghan parliament, transforming hearts and leading them from the violence and oppression of Islam, into the liberty and life of Jesus Christ.  (The Bible, II Corinthians 3:17)

- Pray President Hamid Karzai to publicly denounce this threat and to vow to protect all Afghani citizens.

- Christian humanitarian agencies to use wisdom in dealing with this new threat and for the Lord to give them favor with the Afghan government.  (The Bible, Proverbs 1:7)

- the Lord to set the people of Afghanistan free from the bondage of Islam, the fear of the Taliban, and the clutches of the enemy.  (The Bible, II Corinthians 4:4)

- the Taliban to be defeated and those deceived into fighting for this  terrorist organization to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel.  (The Bible, I Timothy 2:4)

- the Lord to intervene and for Christians throughout the world to pray and stand in the gap on behalf of Afghanistan, our Christian Brothers and Sisters, the lost, and unreached of this nation.  (The Bible, Hebrews 13:3)

- Believers to be strong and courageous. Pray for them to not be terrified; to not be discouraged, for the LORD our God will be with them wherever they go. (The Bible, Joshua 1:9)

- the Kingdom of God to come to Afghanistan in great power, with signs and wonders.  Pray for multitudes of Afghans to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.   (The Bible, Matthew 6:10)

Sources:  International Christian Concern, Associated Free Press