1. Afghanistan

Before praying for Afghanistan, I did some research on its history and current situation.

I found a bit of statistics and information that somewhat startled me.

The life expectancy in Afghanistan as of 2008 is 44 years old.

That means many of your  family members, your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles would be dead or close to dying. That means your older friends, the adults you look up, your mentors and teachers, would be nearing death if not dead already, as well.

The United States’ life expectancy is 79 years old. We don’t know how lucky we have it.

“Infant, under-five, and maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan are among the world’s highest. Twenty five per cent of children die before reaching their fifth birthday. Fifty women die each day from pregnancy-related complications. More than half of all children are stunted.

Because immunization coverage is still very low, preventable diseases kill thousands of children annually. Malaria (which afflicts approximately 2 million people per year), measles, and respiratory infections are the leading causes of childhood death.

The great majority of Afghanistan’s population lacks access to safe water or sanitation. Diarrhoeal diseases and tuberculosis are chronic threats to public health.

Two million children of primary school age do not attend classes. Literacy rates are low. The gender gap in education is narrowing, but girls still lag far behind boys in school enrollment.

Land mines and unexploded ordnance pose a serious risk to children’s safety.”

Concerning Christianity, Afghanistan is rated 6 out of 50 in the Christian persecution rank, with one being the highest.

The percent of population unreached is 99.9%. There are approximately 70 Christians in Afghanistan out of the population of 28 million.

Reread those numbers. Yes, SEVENTY Christians surrounded by about 28 MILLION Muslims and non-Christians.

The persecution some of us face cannot even begin to be compared to what believers over there must face if their faith is discovered.

With mention of Afghanistan, I cannot ignore the troops stationed over there. My uncle will be going to Afghanistan sometime soon for the second time. I know my prayers and many others’ will be with him.

After all of this being said, I hope you will pray for Afghanistan with me. If you’re not exactly sure what to pray for or how to pray, just think of what is most important to God.

He wants to see His kingdom expand, He wants His children to come to Him. Pray that the lost and suffering people in Afghanistan will find the Lord’s love and be saved.

Thank Him for what He’s doing in Afghanistan. We don’t know His plan at the moment, but we can trust that He cares for His people very much. Every crisis resolved, every person rescued, every life saved, is all part of His plan. Don’t doubt in your heart what you are praying. God is bigger than you think He is.

Lord, I thank you for Afghanistan and the people living in it. I know that many lives are lost each day from starvation, violence, government corruption, and sickness, but You are mightier than all these things. Those that come to You overcome death, Lord, and I pray that more will come to see what You have done for us all. I pray that the people in Afghanistan will be comforted with the news of a Savior. Thank you for the foundations and people willing to sacrifice their time and money for Afghanistan. Thank you for the aid that is helping its current situation. As each day passes, I know that You remain the same and You are continuously working in this country. Thank you for helping me better understand what goes on in Afghanistan so that I can better pray for the people living in it. Amen.