Afghanistan
Islam is the official state religion and the constitution requires that the President and Vice-President of the country be Muslim. Sharia law is the backbone of the legal system, and therefore apostasy and blasphemy against Islam are officially punishable by death. The country’s few Christians must practice their faith in secret. There are 48,000 mosques, but no Afghani churches.
Converts from Islam face intense pressure from their families and communities. One young man was banished from his family’s home, and another was severely beaten when he tried to tell others about Christ. As the Taliban has regained control of territory in the region, most of the Christian population has fled. There are a few small, underground house churches, but many of those have no pastors and no Bibles.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Afghanistan
Christian Afghan Refugees
A Christian widow and three of her daughters are facing deportation to Afghanistan after twice applying for asylum in India.
Believers Tortured
According to a recent report from AFGHANISTAN, Christians there are being tortured and murdered by Islamic terrorists. Believers are roasted with fire while alive and are killed with daggers or iron wire. They are forced to confess to crimes they did not commit and are imprisoned on false charges.
Pray for courage for these Christians in Afghanistan. “When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.”
Christians Denied Refuge
In May a Muslim background believer from AFGHANISTAN was denied refugee status by the UN. He, his wife, and four children fled to India last year after his conversion to Christianity was exposed. Eight other applicants and their families were also denied refugee status. They are now in hiding, fearing deportation and execution.
Pray for wisdom and courage. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think … to Him be glory…”
Believers Fear Deportation
Two Afghan Christian refugees in the UK were told that they would be deported back to AFGHANISTAN. One said that if the Taliban doesn’t execute him for his faith, his family will. The other, a new believer, has been ostracized by Muslim Afghans and fears that he will also be killed.
Pray that they will live and be a testimony to others. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.”
Christian Threatened, Escapes
UPDATE: A Christian imprisoned for five months in AFGHANISTAN and threatened with execution was released on bail March 30 and told to stay in town. In Afghanistan, bail is not money, but a house, a shop, and people. Despite the pressure on him not to leave town, friends helped him flee for his life to another country.
Ask God to encourage him. “He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
Christian Beheaded
In AFGHANISTAN, a Christian was beheaded by Muslim members of the Taliban. His killers said that he was punished according to the command of Allah and as a warning to other “infidels.”
Ask God to encourage and comfort believers in this dangerous land. “When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars.”
Christian Prisoner Abused
UPDATE: A believer imprisoned in AFGHANISTAN for giving a New Testament has been abused by fellow prisoners, including Islamic terrorists. They physically attacked him and threaten to kill him.
Pray for safety and courage. “O LORD, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart…”
Believers Denied Refugee Status
UPDATE: Six Muslim background believers from AFGHANISTAN who fled to India have been denied refugee status. Muslims were outraged when pictures from some of their baptisms were shown on TV last year. The believers fear that in Afghanistan they will be sentenced to death by the government or stoned and burned by the people.
Ask God to protect them and their children. “...for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Prisoner Released
UPDATE: One of the Christians imprisoned in AFGHANISTAN has been released and has left the country! He refused Muslims’ demands to renounce his faith. Praise God for his release!
Ask God to protect him and his family, who are still in danger. “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds.”
Believer Waiting in Prison
UPDATE: As of the last report, a Muslim background believer in AFGHANISTAN who was arrested last year is still in prison. He is awaiting a trial and possibly a death sentence. No lawyer will represent him. Some will not defend him because they think he has no chance unless he renounces Christianity, and others will not because they have received death threats themselves.
Ask God to give His imprisoned servant strength. “For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy.”