The power and presence of the Holy Spirit is moving and redeeming hearts through the blood of Jesus Christ in Afghanistan. While over 99% of the population remains Muslim, the Holy Spirit is moving among the Afghans through a small minority of Christians. Afghan Christians must hide their faith while the Qur’an and Sharia Law forbid proselytizing[1]. This nation has been crippled by the last 30 years of war, resulting in a scarcity of water, a high poverty rate with an increasingly high rate of health risks, and the threat of violence being extremely high[2]. This nation is also guilty of the trafficking of men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking[3]. Finally, Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of Opium, benefiting the Taliban and other government groups[4]. Let’s Pray…

-God, we thank you for Afghanistan and the movement of your Holy Spirit in this land. We pray for each Christian to stand firm and be equipped with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, for their feet to be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, for their shield of faith, their helmet of salvation, and their sword of the spirit-the word of God. Finally, let these believers pray in the Holy Spirit on all occasions.* Let them live in humility and service to Christ, so that millions of Afghans would come to know the salvation found in Jesus Christ. 

-Lord Jesus, we pray over the government and those in power. Jesus, let your Holy Spirit defeat the powers of the enemy in the government. Jesus, raise up Christ centered leaders to enable your leadership in this nation. Yeshua, let your influence lead this nation.  

-God we lift up the Taliban. Father, we pray that you would break through in grace and bring redemption to their lives through the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, we lift up the Muslim population to you in Afghanistan. We pray that you God would pour out your spirit on all people, that their sons and daughters would prophecy, that their old men would dream dreams, and their young men would see visions.** Let the truth of your Word bring millions to receive Christ’s salvation in Afghanistan! We pray for a decrease in diseases as people groups receive the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.   

-God, we ask for freedom for the trafficked victims in Afghanistan and those trafficked outside the nation. We pray that you would set free the oppressed in this nation. We press forward in your grace and ask for mental, emotional, and physical healing over the captives through the blood of your son Yeshua. We ask that the captive would hear your word and accept your saving grace Jesus. Holy Spirit, we ask that you would convict the guilty of their sins and lead them to repentance, salvation, and towards the plans you have for them.       

-Father, we pray for your poor in Afghanistan. Lord Jesus, we pray for the provision of food, clothing, shelter, clean drinking water, education, and clean sanitation facilities. Let their hope be found in the power and presence of Jesus Christ. 

-God, we pray for the economy in Afghanistan. We pray for a blessing and a surplus over the economy, and for the government to follow your lead in the distribution of their budget. We pray for new markets and new resources to replace old markets and immoral resources.   

-Father, we pray over the mines scattered around Afghanistan, and that you Holy Spirit would deactivate these mines. We pray this through the blood of Jesus Christ. We pray that violence would end, and that love would break through. Flood this land with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.*** We pray that violence would decrease and that love would increase in Afghanistan.   

-God, we lift up pregnant women in Afghanistan. We pray for the divine protection of the baby and the mother. Let these women have the top doctors at their side helping them perform safe deliveries. Continue to convict hearts about your love for each soul in the womb.

-God, we pray for the refugees from Pakistan and the internally displaced people in Afghanistan. We pray a blessing over them and we ask that you would provide for their needs in their new home. We ask for healthy communities and for each individual to know you Jesus.     

-Father, we lift up the drug industry in Afghanistan. Lord, we pray for a conviction of hearts for all who participate in this industry.  Father, help them to turn from their ways or dry up their land. Let the earth cease to produce harvestable land if one does not repent. We pray for redemption for those involved in this industry, and recovery for all those whose lives have been devastated by these drugs.  Amen.  

Image Credit: Nasim dadfar

[1] The Voice of the Martyrs. “Global report on where Christians are persecuted today.” Bartlesville: Persecution.com. 2017.   

[2] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2014).

[3] Patt, Professor Martin, (Date Accessed January 2015).

[4] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2014).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Ephesians 6:14-18, (2011).

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Joel 2:28, (2011).

***Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Galatians 5:22-23, (1984).