A Christian in Afghanistan writes, ‘One in four children dies before their fifth birthday because of poor medical care. Many work at dangerous jobs or beg in the streets. Education is scarce in rural areas. Insurgents recruit children as suicide bombers. A 9-year old boy captured wearing a suicide bomb strapped to him said ‘Our mullah told us when we carried out our suicide attacks all the people around us would die but we would stay alive.’ This is the future of the Land being stolen by the enemy. Please pray for the children, they are our future, pray that children who are recruited as suicide bombers would be captured or turn themselves in before they blow themselves up and kill and injure others; that parents would be taught the proper techniques to prevent simple childhood illnesses that result in so many deaths; for more medical clinics and schools to meet the needs of children and their families.’

Pray: that the children will grow up to be good, effective leaders to lead their country into peace and prosperity. (Lk.18:16)

We can rejoice over the release of prisoner Said Musa, a Muslim convert to Christianity under threat of execution for apostasy, as Christian human rights organizations continue to work for the release of other converts who remain behind bars for their faith. Barnabas Aid remains deeply concerned about Shoaib Assadullah, an Afghan convert to Christianity facing execution for apostasy, and other converts in prison in Afghanistan who have not received international publicity. In a letter dated February 17 Shoaib expressed fears that he will ‘most definitely’ be sentenced to death by the court. He has been incarcerated since being arrested last October for giving a New Testament in the national Dari language to another Afghan, who later reported him to the authorities.

Pray: for God to strengthen and protect all struggling for religious freedom in Afghanistan, and for God’s sprit to embrace every prisoner. (Rev.2:10)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11020174.htm

Militants killed four Afghan policemen and two civilians inside a police checkpoint by poisoning their yoghurt . Suicide bomb attacks continue to target government officials or military personnel killing and injuring innocent bystanders in larger numbers than the actual targets. A suicide bomb attack near a government ministry was recently discovered and prevented. If successful it could have resulted in many deaths. After thirty years of war nearly everyone in the country has experienced the death of a relative or friend and many people have been severely injured or maimed. People under thirty cannot remember a time of peace, but almost all long for a time when they can live in peace and safety. Many who have left because of war and poverty are scattered around the world starting new lives but others live as refugees struggling to survive. There are many orphans in Afghanistan.

Pray: for the organisations and churches attempting to minister to the many needs. May God bring a great harvest of people coming to faith out of this chaos.(Mt.9:37)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17597797