Pray for Afghanistan

My heart breaks for the situation that is unfolding in Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering and will continue to suffer under the Taliban regime. Although, I agree with most, that having an indefinite presence in the region is not what is best for America and that we should have an incremental troop withdrawal, however, what has transpired is appallingly irresponsible, has destabilized the region, and put untold lives in jeopardy.

Despite all that, there are the Christians, many of whom were converted out of Islam who have pledged to stay and give their lives for Christ if necessary.

As we speak, the Taliban has issued a warning that all Christians will be found, tortured, and executed and already, Afghan Christians, pastors, and missionaries have been martyred for their faith with many more soon to follow.

It’s important that for the Christian, this isn’t just a humanitarian crisis that we are concerned about. Our grief and concern are much deeper. Those who are being tortured and brutally executed are our brothers and sisters—those who have been adopted into God’s family. Although we are Americans and our culture is vastly different than theirs, what unites us is that we have the same Father and the same confession that Christ is Lord. Additionally, they are members of the global body of Christ and as the Scripture teaches, “if one member suffers, all suffer together.” (1 Cor. 12:26).

Reflecting on what is happening to Christians at the hands of the Taliban, I am reminded that Christ takes everything that is done to the Church very personally. In Acts 9, we are introduced to Saul, a religious zealot who was bent on eradicating Christians off the face of the earth. After the martyrdom of Stephen, Saul makes his way to Damascus to continue his murderous assault on the followers of Jesus. Suddenly, he is interrupted. He is surrounded by a brilliant light, struck to the ground, and hears a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me…I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:4,5). What is interesting to note is that Saul wasn’t around when Scribes and Pharisees persecuted and crucified Christ. At this moment, Jesus has already died, was buried, rose again, and ascended into heaven, yet Christ says that he is being persecuted by Saul. Why? Because everyone who identifies with Christ, in turn, Christ identifies with them. When a Christian suffers, Jesus does not remain unfeeling but enjoins himself in that suffering.

There is also a bit of an underlying threat to Jesus’ words given to Saul. When Saul hears the voice, Saul immediately recognizes the authority of the one speaking to him (Acts. 9:5). Moreover, when Christ gives the command to go into the city and speak, Saul obeys without question. From this, we can conclude that Saul trembled at the realization of what he was doing. Here he was, persecuting and murdering the subjects of the King and now the King has come to deal with Saul. The Taliban should be aware that every drop of a Christian’s blood they shed will only add to the wrath of the King, and vengeance is his (Rom. 12:19).

As Christians, we can take comfort in not only the compassion of Christ but also his justice against those who do wrong to his Church. While we sit watching, praying, and weeping for what is happening to our Afghan brothers and sisters, we can also glean from their example of faithfulness. It was stated earlier, that Afghan Christians have remained in Afghanistan to continue to gather, worship, and preach Christ and him crucified knowing full well that will cost them their life. In other words, they risk their life gathering to worship but in the West, we have the opposite, choosing safety over faithfulness.

Pray for Afghanistan and may their example convict us and strengthen the American Church. They are the ones of whom the Bible says in Hebrews 11:38, “…the world was not worthy.” Yes, the tragedy in Afghanistan is heartbreaking and angering, but those who are killed for Christ, have become the conquers and have overcome the world and the Devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev. 12:11).

I pray that we will join with our brothers and sisters and love not our lives, even unto death.