Day 2

DECEMBER | 2023

Afghanistan

PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY

Praise God for Christian Believers who continue to minister to the poor and needy in Afghanistan. Many people struggle to make ends meet, even struggling to feed their families and keep warm in the winter. Pray for the ministries that are trying to help meet these needs. Pray for financial provision so that NGOs can continue to help. It is difficult to know when it is safe to share their faith with those they serve through the ministries. Pray that God will give them divine and tangible wisdom and discernment to know whom they must share the Gospel with and who they must not. Pray for the safety of Christian Believers this Christmas season, and may they be filled with the Joy of the Lord (The Bible, Psalm 20:5).

Source: Christian workers in the region

MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY

Afghanistan is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the Islamic extremist group, the Taliban. Originally a group of radical Islamic scholars, the founders of the Taliban intended to bring political and economic stability to the nation after nearly two decades of conflict. However, its radical practices brought oppression and the country’s poverty worsened.  The subsequent 20 years of military intervention from international troops protected the development of an elected government. However, troop withdrawals in mid-2021 saw a rapid collapse and a return of the Taliban to power, prompting one of the most extreme large-scale evacuations of foreigners and vulnerable national staff. More than 2 million refugees have sought shelter in neighboring nations. Since the Taliban returned to power, the economy has failed to recoverinternational sanctions are extreme and the lives of women and children are very difficult. Christians living in Afghanistan cannot easily meet for fellowship, but online services, resources, and outreaches continue to be highly effective.

CHIEF OF STATE
Hibatullah Akhundzada
HEAD OF GOV.
Hasan Akhund
POPULATION
32,225,560
CHRISTIANS
Unknown
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
Unknown
DOMINANT RELIGION
Islam
PERSECUTION RANKING
9
REFUGEES
1,324,996
LIFE EXPECTANCY
60.93 yrs
LITERACY RATE
31%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
36%