The remains of burnt Korans were found by local labourers at a US airbase, enraging locals and by Wednesday four people had been killed and 20 injured as protests spread, in spite of US apologies. Taliban prisoners were using the books to pass messages to each other. Protesters shouted, ‘Death to America!’ and threw stones at Camp Phoenix. Riot police used water cannon to disperse protesters blocking the main trade routes into the capital. Witnesses said security guards were firing into the air. There were also reports of people chanting pro-Taliban slogans. One protester said, ’When the Americans insult us we will join the insurgents.’ The US Embassy in Kabul is on lockdown with all travel suspended. In Afghanistan anti-foreign sentiment is on the rise and locals claim foreign troops are not respectful of their culture or Islamic religion.

Pray: that leaders in the area would have wisdom and discernment as they work to subdue and diffuse the situation. (Pr.24:3)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17123464 

Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed ‘deep concerns’ to his Pakistani counterpart about deadly rocket attacks launched across the Taliban-troubled border. Also, 200 Afghans protested in the capital on Saturday against these attacks which have fanned tensions between the neighbours. Speaking at a press conference in Kabul alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Afghan leader said he had raised the sensitive issue with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari at a recent meeting. Karzai said, ‘He had ‘deep concerns' and asked for an immediate stop to the shelling from Pakistani territory. The Pakistan army admits only that security forces may have fired a few accidental rounds into Afghanistan while pursuing militants across the border. Mr Cameron told reporters, ‘Now is the time for Pakistan and Afghanistan to sit and meet and talk on how we are to ensure what we need to do.’

Pray: for International ambassadors to advise, support and establish improvements in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. (Pr.24:5-6)

More: http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/05/karzai-raises-concerns-with-pakistan-over-attacks.html

Children have suffered much in decades of war but there is a hidden suffering by boys subjected to an ancient practice that resurged in the country in recent years. ‘Boys for pleasure’ are attractive young boys groomed and trained to dance at weddings and rented out to be sexually abused. Poor families are coerced into selling their sons in order to provide for the rest of their family. Once sold their sons are the properties of the buyers. Even more at risk are orphans who have no one to speak for them. Once confined to mainly southern and rural regions this practice is now increasingly common among the powerful and wealthy in cities all over the country. Because of the taboo nature of this evil it is difficult for human rights organizations to gather accurate statistics and even more difficult for the government to acknowledge these abuses. One worker states, ‘A kid who is being sexually exploited will end up in prison if he reports it.’

Pray: for the Christians and NGOs trying to intervene in this situation, protection for these little ones from within their own families and tribes, and deliverance for those who are being abused. (Ps.118:28b)

More: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/international/afghanistans-dancing-boys-remain-invisible/509663

An Afghan believer writes, ‘A growing number are illegally addicted to heroin – resulting in soaring human and social costs, destroyed families and increased crime. Please pray for the destruction of poppy crops, and planting of food crops. Child exploitation - some children that work long hours at hard and dangerous jobs in illegal coal mines with no safety equipment. Laws against child labour are not enforced. Please pray for laws to be justly enforced, and that families would find other ways to pay their debts. Praise God that the number of believers is growing – but there is limited support for new believers.’ For a link to a terrorist training video revealing Taliban preparing to cause Afghanistan chaos click the more button.

Pray: for new believers in Afghanistan to find other Christians to help them in a culture where converts are persecuted by friends, family and village leaders. (Ps.68:5,6)

More: http://www.aljazeera.com/video/asia/2012/07/2012722171149565287.html

A growing number of Afghans, including politicians, are embracing Christianity and meet in ‘house churches’ despite death threats and attacks by Islamic militants, according to Christian rights activists and news reports monitored by BosNewsLife on Friday, May 4. Mohabat News, a Christian news agency, quoted ‘informed Afghan authorities’ as saying that ‘Christianity has obtained a special place among youth and other ‘layers in society.’ House churches ‘are growing tremendously,’ the officials reportedly said. Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), an advocacy group assisting Christians living in difficult areas, explained that it learned from an ‘independent Shi'ite website’ that an Afghan official concluded ‘There is evidence of widespread Christian propaganda in Afghanistan’. The unidentified official was quoted as saying it had been proven that at least ‘more than 10 churches operate secretly in residential houses.’

Pray: for this marvellous growth of the Church despite difficulties to continue its growth. (2Cor.12:10)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/21453-growing-number-of-christians-in-afghanistan-despite-death-threats

A local believer writes, ‘Afghanistan is a difficult place to live for foreign workers, with hot summers, extremely cold winters and constant concerns over security. In recent years foreign organizations have faced increasing levels of bureaucracy, taxation, and corruption. Nevertheless many Christian workers continue to serve in any way they can because God has called them. Pray for the safety of the workers and their families.’ As countries wind down their military mission in Afghanistan the federal government is still writing the policy, working conditions and entitlements of hundreds of diplomats and other public servants who were sent there to work alongside soldiers. The policy is a symbol of the new reality of civilians’ key role in securing peace and stability in conflict areas, an unprecedented synergy of military and civilian expertise that governments everywhere are still learning to manage.

Pray: for those working to reduce poverty, those bringing democratic development, those promoting good governance and for opportunities for believers to share their faith during and after the transition. (Ps.40:1-3)

More: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/After+decade+working+side+side+with+soldiers+Afghanistan+diplomats+still/7536674/story.html

Evangelism: The local church continues to grow as believers are added one by one in small groups. We are asked to pray that new believers will find others they can trust to share in worship, prayer and teaching. Crime: Authorities plan to destroy 15,000 hectares of poppy fields this year in an effort to limit the heroin trade that fuels violence and corruption. Criminal elements and the Taliban profit from the heroin trade. Pray that farmers will find other crops to provide income and food for their families. Refugees: Nearly half a million people displaced by war and violence are living in primitive camps in makeshift tents around major cities. They suffer from shortages of food, clothing and fuel. The government and humanitarian agencies are struggling to meet the needs of so many. Pray that more resources can be made available to help the people living in these camps and that the resources will be used effectively.

Pray: for protection for the emerging church, peace in the land and for many refugees to return to their homes. May God meet all their needs. (Ps.9:3-4)

More: http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/afghanistan-to-destroy-poppy-fields-1.1493945#.UWU4eldKI78

Thousands of boys and girls receive the education that will help them improve their lives and their country. But the insurgents still try to close down the schools' especially those that girls attend, by threatening teachers and students, burning school buildings and poisoning the schools water supplies. Some rural schools have remained closed. Please pray for the safety of teachers and students; for the insurgents to stop using fear and intimidation to close schools and for more teachers to be trained. The coalition forces have begun to hand over responsibility for security to the local army and police on a region by region basis. Ultimately all security will be the responsibility of local army and police. Pray for wisdom for all during this process so that security of the country will be safeguarded and the people will be able to lead their lives in peace and security. Pray for true religious freedom in Afghanistan.

Pray: that the number of believers would continue to increase and mature, and for millions in the area to seek and find the Way the Truth and the Life.(Jn.14:6)

More: http://www.afghantimes.com/

Afghan Christian refugees who fled to India are in hiding over fears they will be deported back to Afghanistan, where possible arrest, imprisonment and execution await them. In 2010, a television network broadcast baptisms of Afghan Muslim converts to Christianity. A member of parliament called for the execution of the apostates and President Hamid Karzai called for an investigation into how aid organisations were promoting Christianity in the region. The investigation resulted in Afghan Christian Said Musa being charged with apostasy and issued the death sentence. After a nine month effort by the international community to engage Afghanistan's government, Musa was released and able to leave thecountry. Although Musa's ordeal is over, a decision made by the United Nations in New Delhi to deport a number of Afghan converts may drive that small Christian community to a similar fate. After Musa's arrest Afghan Christians went into hiding and others went to India or Pakistan.

Pray: for secret police and intelligence agencies to stop harrassing Christians, and to work alongside them instead. (Ps.17:7-9)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/uncertainty.for.afghan.christian.refugees/28042.htm

Please pray for the protection of a production team putting together a film that depicts part of the life of Jesus. It is being dubbed into the language of the largest Afghani tribal group. Pray for the safety of local believers who have volunteered to have their voices used in this project. They are exposing themselves to tremendous risk. When one local believer was asked about his voice being used in the project, he replied, ‘Not my voice only, but all of me belongs to God. It’s my service to Him!’ Pray also for more speakers to come forward, to enable the production of multiple dialects of this language. Pray that the completed film will have secure and anointed distribution.

Pray: for many local people to become followers of Jesus and to be protected as they share their faith. (Mk.10:28-30)