As you know, TMAI has one training center in the Middle East with two locations in separate, undisclosed countries. We’ve been in touch with our contacts in the region and in prayer for all those affected by this unfolding tragedy.
We have heard testimony of God’s Church being built in Afghanistan and urge you to continue in confident prayer for God’s people and the leaders of the Afghan church at this time.
As reported, the Taliban march door to door each day, seeking to enslave or slaughter our brothers and sisters in Christ. Hearing the footsteps, many believers have come to accept that their time on earth is short—and as you read this, they need our prayers.
With the increased risks of terrorist cells and suicide bombings, the circumstances in Afghanistan are expected to become even more dangerous. While several details of this troubling situation remain clouded and uncertain to us, we know the promises of Christ remain clear and dependable. We must pray, and we must pray with confidence in the character, love, and purposes of Christ.
We know that His promise remains true:
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
– 1 Peter 5:10
Considering this promise, please join us in praying—with an open Bible—for the following:
1) Perspective: This suffering will pass.
As God lives, the reign of the Taliban will end, and one day Christ will rule this world in love and peace (1 Pet 5:11). In comparison to eternity, Peter assures the persecuted that they suffer “for a little while” (1 Pet 1:6–7). Please pray for God to remind His people in Afghanistan of eternity as they endure this dark hour.
2) Peace: God has graciously destined His people for glory in Christ.
God promises that nothing—neither tribulation, nor distress, nor peril, nor sword—will be able to separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:35–39). Indeed, as Afghan Christians are mistreated, abused, and even killed, they share in the sufferings of their Savior who experienced the same (Phil 3:10–11). When Christians stand firm in the joy of this truth—as Paul says, “in no way alarmed” by their opponents—it is a sign of their salvation and victory over the forces of darkness (Phil 1:27–28). And along with praying for their spiritual peace, please pray that God would also grant them physical mercies and protection as He wills.
3) Power: God will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish His people.
Pray that God would give Afghan Christians a fresh sight of His sovereign care for them. What the Taliban intends for evil, God intends for good (Gen 50:20). In fact, the Taliban are firmly in the grip of God’s sovereign hand, and all of this works for the good of those whom He calls (Rom 8:28; 11:36; Dan 4:17; Isa 10:5). Pray that God would give strength to His children in Afghanistan, that they would be emboldened by the truth that Christ will not cease to pray each of them home to Himself (John 17:24; Heb 7:25).
Thank you for praying with us.
