A serious power struggle has erupted among Afghan Taliban’s top leaders. Two top-ranking members of the Quetta Shura have been battling for control and their feud resulted this week in the assassination of one senior Taliban official by members of an opposing faction. The centre of the storm is the Taliban’s top military leader, the former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum who earned a reputation as a merciless fighter on the battlefield, but as a commander is often brutal to underlings and seems incapable of responding quickly to changing conditions on the ground. Recent complaints from senior field commanders have risen to crisis levels. According to both a senior member of the ruling council and a former cabinet minister in the Taliban regime, commanders accused him of showing no respect for his men in the field and ignoring their basic needs.

Pray: for God to use the recent Taliban unrest to bring about His purposes for Afghanistan. May their lines of authority come under His mighty authority. (Is.32:1-3)

More: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/news/14566/

The Taliban set the stage for peace talks with envoys of President Hamid Kharzai and the US, establishing a venue and an opening to the Afghan leadership just hours after Kabul took over nationwide security responsibilities. US Taliban discussions in Qatar on Thursday follow the Taliban opening a political office on Tuesday in Doha and making a gesture toward renouncing links to international terrorism. Until now the Taliban have publicly refused to negotiate with Kabul's representatives, dismissing Mr. Kharzai as an American ‘puppet.’ On Tuesday the insurgent group said its representatives in Doha would meet Afghans ‘in due appropriate time.’ The Taliban announced the office opening (the result of lengthy behind-the-scenes negotiations involving the US, Pakistan, Mr. Kharzai and Qatar) shortly after the US-led coalition formally transferred the security lead to Afghan forces. The coalition will now shift to a support and advisory role.

Pray: for this important step toward reconciliation to move forward without cultural, constitutional, political or religious hindrances. Pray for an end to verbal and physical warfare. (Ac.2:40)

More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324520904578553300053268208.html?mod=WSJWorld__RIGHTTopStories

A survey of 6,348 Afghans by the Asia Foundation between July 2nd and August 11th showed support for the Taliban dramatically declined over the last two years from 56% to 29%.This is coupled with a high level of support for the government's reconciliation and negotiation efforts with armed opposition groups. Nevertheless on Wednesday three coalition service members were killed as a result of two separate bomb blasts on the first day of a three-day loya jirga in Kabul, (a grand assembly of more than 2,000 delegates from around the country to discuss Afghanistan's future relationship with the United States. It also includes talks about possible negotiations with the Taliban.) On Monday, a Taliban spokesman strongly condemned the loya jirga, fueling fears of Afghan officials and those attending the loya jirga that the militant group may be planning attacks to disrupt it.

Pray: that God will enable Afghanistan to continue to develop a safe environment, children’s education, clean drinking water and well equipped clinics and hospitals. (Ps.68:1-3)

More: http://channel6newsonline.com/2011/11/roadside-bombs-kill-3-nato-troops-on-first-day-of-afghan-loya-jirga/

50,000 children work on the streets of Afghanistan’s capital. Some are orphans, others work to support their families selling chewing gum, magazines, or trinkets others polish shoes, wash cars or dispense good luck from a can of burning herbs. Some simply beg. All are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by criminals and police. A Christian within the country has asked us to pray for the protection of the children trying to survive. Organisations are needed to provide support for children and their families. Pray that some of the aid to the country would go to help the street children and that these children would be introduced to the One who loves little children.

Pray: for Christians working in various communities to have more of God's anointing as they attempt to make a difference in the lives of the people. (Mt.19:14)

More: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/afghanistan.html

Pakistan faces international pressure to extend the stay of Afghan refugees beyond 31st December. The Pakistan Government’s response is, ‘When their refugee status expires on December 31st they must leave.’ Pakistan intends to expel 3 million Afghans, 1.7 million of them registered and more than half of these living in camps. Most refugees have lived in Pakistan for more than 30 years, and have nothing to return to; their homes, lands and businesses have been destroyed by war or taken by others. Although they live in extreme poverty they would have even less in their native land. Bukahri, an Afghan tribal elder who has been in Pakistan for 30 years running an electrical shop and doing social work said, ‘I'm not saying we won't go, but at this point in time, Afghanistan is weak and will not be able to take this burden.’

Pray: for Afghanistan to prepare for this influx and for many to have homes land and businesses restored. Pray also for refugees to be introduced to the One who is their shield and provider. (Ps.18:36)

More: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/NH07Df02.html

On Sunday 15 April there was a Taliban strike across Afghanistan in a 'spring offensive'. They targeted foreign embassies, including the British, Nato's HQ and the Afghan parliament as well as other areas in Afghanistan. A rocket-propelled grenade was also fired at a house used by British diplomats. Two Afghan security force members and a further 17 Afghan police officers and nine civilians were injured. On 21 April, Afghan security officials foiled a huge attack in the capital Kabul, after the seizure of 10 tonnes of explosives. This amount of explosives could have caused large-scale bloodshed.

Pray: for British servicemen work closely with Afghan police and security forces in many regions in Afghanistan including Kabul. Please pray that God will protect the British Embassy staff and military personnel at all times and help them remain vigilant. (1 Pe.5:8)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17796556

This year is set aside by the International Prayer Movement as a year of prayer for Pakistan and Afghanistan. To assist this initiative some prayer points are listed here today:- *If the Taliban succeed, Afghanistan would again become a training base for international terrorism and affect many nations. Pray that the Taliban’s weapon supply is cut off and for confusion and disunity. * Foreign Aid. Pray that foreign aid pouring into Afghanistan will not be wasted through inefficiency nor diverted by corruption but will reach the neediest and rebuild the nation's shattered infrastructure. *60% of Afghans are under 20, have known nothing but war, long for education opportunities, employment and freedom of choice. Pray that they will be able to break free from Taliban and local warlords' control. May they provide new impetus to efforts of freedom and peace in the nation. *4.5 million refugees have returned, many bringing financial resources, international connections and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Pray: for the raising up of strong and effective leaders from the emerging generation in Afghanistan. (Ps.112:2)