Voices of the Middle East - Faith amid danger in Afghanistan
Social instability. Persecution. Poverty.
These are just some of the problems our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan are facing right now.
But God has not stopped working, the believers haven’t given up, and SAT-7’s content is still reaching screens and hearts in this beleaguered nation.
Today, we are going to listen to four Afghans explain what life is like for them. Along the way, we will stop and take the time to pray for each one.
An Afghan man called Rademan contacted our Viewer Support team in October last year. He said: “I am one of a number of persecuted believers from Afghanistan and our lives are in danger. We need help as we are facing a lot of persecution. I managed to escape to Pakistan where for a long time I had nowhere to live and had to sleep in a park. Then I returned to Afghanistan and I was arrested and imprisoned. I have escaped again and returned to Pakistan and I am in a very difficult situation.”
Let’s take the chance to pray for Rademan.
Our Father, thank you that Rademan is hanging onto you despite persecution. We pray you will fortify his faith right now. We pray you will show him where to go, how to find a stable home, and how to keep living for you despite the intense difficulties he is facing. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen.
Afsoon is a female SAT-7 PARS viewer who shared one of her troubling experiences with us. She said: “My sisters and I can't go out because of the Taliban. Last year we went for a walk into a neighbour's fields and the Taliban turned up and asked us where we had been and where our [male] chaperone was. Some of the group were really afraid... But we are glad to have you and your channel.”
Let’s pray for Afsoon and other women and girls like her.
Thank you, God, that Afsoon has discovered SAT-7 and can hear about your love through our programmes. We pray for her, and other women and girls who have experienced hardships or injustices at the hands of the Taliban, that they will encounter your peace and strength. We pray that you will move in the hearts of the Taliban leaders, and that they will encounter the love and truth and grace of Jesus. Amen.
Erfan is an Afghan man who got in touch with us this summer. He shared: “Hello, I have just come to faith in Christ. I became a Christian by simply saying a prayer, but I don’t know much about the faith. I have no family, my parents have passed away, and I have no home or life. Every night I sleep in a different place and often go to bed hungry. I search for work every day but have not succeeded yet. Please pray for me so that the Lord provides me with a way of salvation, peace, healing, shelter, and a job. Amen.”
Let’s pray for Erfan right now.
Lord, thank you for working in Erfan’s heart. We pray you will comfort him for the loss of his parents, and encourage him in his faith. Please reveal yourself to him as provider, and may he sense your guiding hand as you help him to find work and shelter. Grow in him spiritual fruit, too, especially your amazing peace. Amen.
Edin, a man from Afghanistan, is an avid SAT-7 PARS viewer who feels the prying eyes of his community but is continuing in his faith. He said: “We watch your excellent programmes on SAT-7 PARS and we are blessed by them. We are in Afghanistan and living through difficult circumstances from an economic perspective, and more importantly, in terms of security. In the neighbourhood where we live, it has been noticed that we have not been involved in religious rituals like before. People are talking about how our behaviour has changed. This is causing serious concerns for us and our children, who in particular are having a very hard time.”
Let’s lift up Edin and his family in prayer.
Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Edin’s bravery and his love for you. We pray that you will give him wisdom as he navigates life in his neighbourhood and we pray for his children, that you will pour out your love and peace on them. Comfort them in their worry. Please cultivate perseverance, hope and faith in the life of this family. In Jesus name, amen.
Finally, we come to a live issue of great concern among Afghan Christians.
Afghans in several countries, including Tajikistan, Pakistan and Iran are facing forced return to Afghanistan. In just over seven months, over 1.9 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan.
In Tajikistan, a group of Afghan nationals, including refugees and asylum-seekers, were reportedly summoned earlier this month by security officials and informed that all Afghan nationals must leave the country within 15 days.
For Afghan Christians in exile, a return to Afghanistan could mean severe persecution and even death.
We recently received a heart-wrenching message from an Afghan believer in Tajikistan. It began like this:
Dearly beloved, as I write these words, my heart is overwhelmed with anguish, tears, and groaning that do not cease day or night. For 23 nights, sleep has escaped my eyes – not for myself, but for the suffering that has come upon the body of Christ, His church.
We, a community of Afghan believers, now reside in Tajikistan. Some of us face the threat of forced return – a return not to safety, but for many, to the very mouth of death.”
As we hear this brother of ours pour his heart out, let us lift him up to God in prayer. His message continues:
“I earnestly plead with you: Pray for us. Remember us in your gatherings and intercessions.
Write letters. Be our voice. Reach out to organisations and governments who have the ability to help.
Do not let the faith of these dear ones be crushed under the weight of exile and fear.
I have spoken with several authorities here in Tajikistan, but many doors are closed. Now, our eyes turn to the global Church – to you, the hands and feet of Christ, who carry His love to the ends of the earth.”
Let us close in prayer.
Our Father in heaven, our hearts break when we hear of the suffering of your people.
Will you bend to your ear to this man in Tajikistan, his friends, and his family who are facing a forced return to Afghanistan?
We ask for you to show your mercy to them. Please show them that you are near; let their hearts not be troubled, but instead, let them trust in Jesus and trust in you, Father.
Fill them with your Spirit, your peace, and your love. Guide them and open the right doors for them, so they can continue to worship you and live for you.
And if there is anything we can do beyond prayer – please help us to take action.
Amen.
