Afghanistan: ‘Spring Fighting Season’
16 Jun 2011
A Christian living in Afghanistan writes, ‘As the spring fighting season is underway please remember that often what we see in the physical reflects the hidden spiritual battles that are raging. In the natural, we see sharp increases in casualties among international forces fighting for peace. We also see significant increases in civilian casualties as insurgents target banks, markets, university libraries, and security checkpoints manned by army and police. Recent suicide attacks have been staged in such a way that multiple sites are attacked simultaneously, and then rescue workers are attacked as they move in to care for the wounded. We can take courage from the knowledge that if our spiritual enemy is fighting this fiercely, it is because he knows his time is short and our prayers are making a difference. We must not lose heart, but encourage one another to redouble our efforts in prayer!’ Pray: for evil to be exposed, for righteous judgments to prevail and for national and international believers to use their most potent weapon – praise and worship! (Ps.8:1-2)
Afghanistan: Zadran people
10 Feb 2013The Zadran people are one of the most well-known ethnic tribes in south eastern Afghanistan with more than half a million living in the provinces known as Greater Paktia (GP) and NW Pakistan. GP is a politically complicated region having a strong presence of militia with shifting allegiances and violent tendencies that make governance difficult in a mountainous and cavernous terrain, providing armed groups ample cover from which to conduct their guerrilla operations. Immediately after the fall of the Taliban GP was chaotic (a small civil war broke out between rival militia commanders for control of the area). Until today, some areas remain a safe haven for militants loyal to the most famous member of the Zadran tribe, Jalaluddin Haqqani, He lives in exile in N Waziristan. It is claimed he introduced suicide bombing to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. See also: For INSIGHTS into how to pray into terrorism rooted in Afghanistan and Pakistan click the 'Info' button.
Pray: for a real dissatisfaction with militancy amongst the Zadran tribe. May men of peace be raised up amongst them. Pray for peace in the region. (Pr.28:16)
Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=428&Itemid=93
Afghanistan: US talks with Taliban
26 Jan 2012Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Islamist scholar who asked his followers to back Jihadist groups in Jammu and Kashmir, is a key mediator in secret talks between the US and the Taliban according to government sources. See http://www.thehindu.com/news/article2755817.ece In 2009, Mr al-Qaradawi issued a fatwa declaring that ‘the Kashmiris were correctly fighting jihad against the Indian army,’ arguing, ‘The jihad was legitimate since mujahideen groups sought to create an Islamic state and it was incumbent on all Muslims to help Kashmiris gain their ‘freedom from Indian aggression.’ Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi is currently the Muslim Brotherhood's leading speaker and is still urging that Islam must dominate the world under a global caliphate governed by sharia. He maintains that Islam ‘will conquer Europe and will conquer America. Some are saying the Afghanistan war is unpopular and President Obama wants to run for re-election next November saying he ‘ended two wars.
Pray: that God will keep His Sovereign Hand over all political dealings in and about Afghanistan. Pray for the emergence, establishment and protection of the Afghan Church in Afghanistan. (see this week’s praise item) (Ps.41:1-2)
Afghanistan: Update
12 Mar 2012A believer writes, ‘Demonstrations and bombs sparked by the burning of Holy Books continue. Please pray no more people will be killed or injured. Pray for the families of those who have been killed. Pray for the recovery of those who have been injured. Pray for understanding on both sides so this kind of incident will not happen again. Many foreigners live, work and serve the people of the land distributing food and clothing, teaching classes, training medical workers and leaders, drilling wells, providing medical care and much more to improve the lives of the people. They live and work in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions and must fight against greed and corruption to help the people who are truly needy. Their lives are difficult, they continue because it is what God has called them to do. Pray for Christian workers and their families to be protected in dangerous situations.
Pray: that they will receive the support and finances they need to continue, and for their lives to be a demonstration of God’s love to the people they serve. (Deut.31:6)
Afghanistan: Transition
29 Apr 2013A Christian in Afghanistan writes, ‘As the coalition forces prepare to withdraw by the end of next year, the local army and police are being trained to take full responsibility for the security of their country. There are many challenges to be overcome, including a lack of basic education for many of the local soldiers and police and a culture of corruption. Also, many in positions of authority lack the leadership skills needed to forge an effective force. The coalition soldiers work closely with their local counterparts to instil technical knowledge and tactical and strategic planning skills. In this process coalition and local soldiers spend many hours together. Pray for the Christians in the coalition to be a strong witness for Christ. A lack of security and rampant corruption have caused many people to distrust the government and thus weakened its authority. Many question whether the central government is prepared to take full responsibility and leadership of the country.’
Pray: that God will place righteous people in positions of authority in the government and the people of the land will learn to trust and support those who are protecting them. (Is.1:26)
Afghanistan: The fight against fear
26 Jan 2011
For British troops in Afghanistan - and soldiers everywhere - the first battle to win is with themselves, writes Captain Doug Beattie of 1 Royal Irish Regiment who won the Military Cross for bravery in Afghanistan. He told Channel 4 News, ‘You won't hear soldiers talk about it. Fear is a taboo subject, a word suggesting weakness or worse, what they once would have called a lack of moral fibre. Troops skirt around it, deploying phrases like ‘that was a close one’ or ‘that wasn't fun’ to mask the reality of what they are feeling. But the question is not whether soldiers feel fear - for they do - but how they react to it. It can be a powerful motivator, allowing you to do things you never thought you were capable of. But fear can also be mentally and physically debilitating preventing men from carrying out the actions needed for survival.’ Pray: for God to meet with soldiers separated from family in an alien culture, facing threats of death and injury. (Joel 2:32) More: http://www.channel4.com/news/afghanistan-the-fight-against-fear
Afghanistan: Taliban power struggle
30 Dec 2012A serious power struggle has erupted among Afghan Taliban’s top leaders. Two top-ranking members of the Quetta Shura have been battling for control and their feud resulted this week in the assassination of one senior Taliban official by members of an opposing faction. The centre of the storm is the Taliban’s top military leader, the former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum who earned a reputation as a merciless fighter on the battlefield, but as a commander is often brutal to underlings and seems incapable of responding quickly to changing conditions on the ground. Recent complaints from senior field commanders have risen to crisis levels. According to both a senior member of the ruling council and a former cabinet minister in the Taliban regime, commanders accused him of showing no respect for his men in the field and ignoring their basic needs.
Pray: for God to use the recent Taliban unrest to bring about His purposes for Afghanistan. May their lines of authority come under His mighty authority. (Is.32:1-3)
More: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/news/14566/
Afghanistan: Taliban open door to peace talks
20 Jun 2013The Taliban set the stage for peace talks with envoys of President Hamid Kharzai and the US, establishing a venue and an opening to the Afghan leadership just hours after Kabul took over nationwide security responsibilities. US Taliban discussions in Qatar on Thursday follow the Taliban opening a political office on Tuesday in Doha and making a gesture toward renouncing links to international terrorism. Until now the Taliban have publicly refused to negotiate with Kabul's representatives, dismissing Mr. Kharzai as an American ‘puppet.’ On Tuesday the insurgent group said its representatives in Doha would meet Afghans ‘in due appropriate time.’ The Taliban announced the office opening (the result of lengthy behind-the-scenes negotiations involving the US, Pakistan, Mr. Kharzai and Qatar) shortly after the US-led coalition formally transferred the security lead to Afghan forces. The coalition will now shift to a support and advisory role.
Pray: for this important step toward reconciliation to move forward without cultural, constitutional, political or religious hindrances. Pray for an end to verbal and physical warfare. (Ac.2:40)
More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324520904578553300053268208.html?mod=WSJWorld__RIGHTTopStories