Our Prayer for Afghanistan

At Christ Church, we have been heartbroken about the current crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. Following a retaking of the country by the Taliban, many Afghan families, especially those associated with the United States, women, and professing Christians find themselves increasingly vulnerable. 

Many have lost their lives already, and many more have had their lives and families threatened. One pastor in the country reported that he received a letter from the Taliban stating, “We know who you are, what you do, and where to find you.”

While seeing this unfold from the other side of the world might cause feelings of helplessness, we have the ability to both pray and respond to this crisis with bold assurance that we serve a just God that sees, cares, and will act.  

What should I pray for?

“we have the ability to both pray and respond to this crisis with bold assurance that we serve a just God that sees, cares, and will act. ”

Prayer is not our only response, but as we see this tremendous amount of suffering, it is undoubtedly our first one. While this list is certainly not an exhaustive one, it is a collection of six requests we have heard from our friends, partners, and other leaders around the world on where to begin:

Pray for all those experiencing this crisis in Afghanistan.

• Pray for the preservation of their lives and that the innocent would be hidden from their pursuers.

• Pray that they would have discernment on who to trust on the ground.

• Pray especially for the bodies of the girls and women and the lives that are in danger—some of which are due to their association with the United States.

Pray for the persecuted and underground church in Afghanistan

• Pray that they would have the ability to hide when necessary and the courage and strength to stand firm when necessary.

• Pray for supernatural protection and perseverance.

• Finally, pray that they would preach the gospel through their suffering and potential martyrdom in a way that leads others to embrace Christ for the first time.

Pray for the leaders of the Taliban

• Pray that the leaders of the new Taliban would have softened hearts, see the emptiness of their cause, and dread this latest round of bloodshed.

• Pray that, like Paul, they would experience the mysterious and glorious grace of the gospel supernaturally.

Pray for our leaders

• Pray for the international leadership community to respond to this crisis to protect the vulnerable in quick, tangible, and just ways.

• Pray that there would be an appropriate and expedient solution to ongoing threats of violence.

Pray for veterans

• Pray for the veterans and families of those that have served previously in Afghanistan in our military.

• Also, pray for those that experience PTSD and for those that have struggled with this news.

Pray for local ministries and partners

• Pray for local agencies and ministries serving the Afghan population in Memphis- World Relief, Refugee Empowerment, Refugee Memphis, Asha’s Refuge, and others.

• Also, pray for the current Afghan population in our city and those who will resettle over the coming weeks and months.

• • •

What else can I do to respond?

The gospel must first be preached to all the nations…(Mark 13:11) The nations have come to Memphis—including Afghans. 

The global unrest of this crisis that we see on our phones and our televisions is heartbreaking, and its effects will ripple into our city. Thankfully, we have a longstanding partnership with World Relief Memphis, our local refugee resettling agency, that will lead us in our response. Here are some tangible ways that you can respond locally to this global need:

• Serve: Afghan refugees begin to arrive in Memphis this week, and more will likely be coming throughout the Fall. Volunteer opportunities exist to support these arrivals, including serving as a conversation partner—a great way to become friends and help these refugees learn English, and as a Good Neighbor Team member—a group that guides families in everything from meeting them at the airport to enrolling them in social services.

• Advocate: You can also use your voice and your platform to advocate and educate others on the current crisis by sharing resources and stories from the ground. Read and share this story from USA Today that features Seeta Habib, a recent refugee resettled here in Memphis, or this post on The Gospel Coalition from Mark Morris, who teaches at Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies (MCUTS) and leads Refugee Memphis.

• Give: World Relief has also established a fund to connect Afghan community members to resources such as mental health services or additional expenses upon arrival. These gifts will help support other costs beyond the federal funding that the ministry receives for each resettlement.

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