Prayer for Afghanistan

All-loving God,

Your hands have fashioned every corner of our beautiful planet and today we pray for the lovely land of Afghanistan – a country many of Your children call ‘home’.

We join hands with the brethren of Afghanistan in prayer for their safety and security. May Your love and light bring miracles of help into the land.

It is the heart’s desire of its people to live where their lives and loves are nurtured, by its rivers and mountains, its fields and gardens, its towns and villages.

We grieve today with those who grieve over Afghanistan, the people who call it home, the people exiled or suddenly having to leave and the men and women from other countries who have made sacrifices in recent years in the cause of that country’s future.

We remember with renewed sadness the loss of lives of civilians and military personnel in Afghanistan, conscious of the questions that must today be troubling the minds of those who were bereaved, those who were wounded during operations and those who were forever changed by experiences suffered there.

We pray for peace, dignity, freedom and confidence for the men, women and children of Afghanistan; for courage, vision and generosity within the international community responding to their need; and for tranquillity of mind while we wait on You.

Thank you for every single person who has dedicated their own lives to protecting this nation and its people. Help them evacuate people with safety and be a source of hope to those feeling trapped and afraid. We thank them for their sacrifice – a sacrifice that you are so familiar with.

Bless the missionaries. Help them to be a light in the darkness for You – to spread Your comfort, peace and assurance to those who are afraid.

Thank You that we live in a free country, a freedom we sometimes take lightly.

Give world leaders the humility and knowledge to deliberate and act wisely and soon. Help them ultimately look to You for guidance and allow the Holy Spirit to nudge them to pray over each decision that is made, as their choices affect millions.

We plead urgent care, comfort and support for the precious people still living there and ones who have flown out of desperation.

Help them – they are our dear brothers and sisters, Lord. Cover each one with a blanket of peace, knowing that You guide each of us to Your ultimate victory.

Lord, even when it doesn’t make sense to our earthly selves, You call us to pray for those who persecute. We lift up the Taliban to You today. We pray that Your Holy Spirit will work in them and soften their hearts. Only You truly know their hearts, Lord. Just as we are Your children, help us to remember that they are Your children as well and You love them deeply. You alone can work in their hearts and minds.

Comfort every native, veteran, family member, friend, and loved one who feels fearful or uneasy over Afghanistan right now.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the peace-giver, we pray.

Amen.