Yesterday, I received an urgent request from Afghanistan about a group of believers in the Lord and their small children being surrounded by the Taliban at one of the borders while they were waiting to cross. This morning it was reported that some were able to get through, but no word on the others as yet. Please pray for their protection and many others like them undergoing the same, risky endeavors to escape–that God will blind the eyes of murderous Taliban at checkpoints along the way and at the border outposts so they can get through without hindrance or danger. A few days ago, I received a report that four Christian men in one of these convoys were killed while heading to the border after the Taliban asked if they were Muslims and they confessed they were followers of Jesus. 

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This saga of Afghanistan’s crisis continues with both good and bad news to share with you. Thank the Lord that through your prayers and the financial gifts that some of you have provided, thousands of people have gotten out. Some got out on the US and NATO military flights, and others have been able to get out more recently on private chartered flights. Another effort that we have supported through our foundation has gotten over 500 across the border in overland convoys. They then need to be kept in safe houses and provided for until they can get visas to go on to other nations. This is all very expensive and funds for these operations are getting low now. Please pray for favor and an open way at all the border posts. Pray also for His provision of financial support so these convoys can continue. There are still thousands needing to be evacuated and saved from ruthless Taliban death squads that are stalking neighborhoods, looking for those who served the former government as soldiers, police, and journalists as well as remaining expats. In addition, many of our local Christian brothers and sisters still in-country could be executed for apostasy under the Taliban’s strict application of Islamic sharia law and need God’s watchcare if they remain. They are surely “sheep among wolves”.

Please pray also for the following as we keep Afghanistan in our hearts:

1. That the international community and USA will continue to give attention to the plight of those still trapped inside the country. The best solution for getting large numbers out now would be if a humanitarian corridor can be opened by the United Nations to get those out who want to leave. However, the USA and international community have very little leverage after the debacle of the ill-prepared pullout last month. May they find a way and be determined to make it happen!

2. Some very extreme Taliban from the Haqqani network, who have long been a major source of terrorism are now in charge of the police and internal justice system. They are reinstating public executions and amputation of limbs for minor crimes and religious infractions. They just executed four men publicly in one of the cities as adults and children watched in horror. Pray for them to moderate their tyrannical oppression and bloodlust in the fear of God and in order to maintain a better relationship with other nations.

3. Pray that the flights can continue to take larger numbers out and for the removal of obstacles and an official who has caused big problems for those seeking to get out this way.

4. Finally, among the tens of thousands who have been evacuated by all means, there is a scattering of Jesus followers who could serve as His witnesses and disciple makers among them. Let’s pray for a great harvest both within Afghanistan during this continuing crisis and in this growing diaspora coming to so many countries where these refugees are being resettled.

For Myanmar, do continue to pray that the National Unity Government and “people’s defense forces” will prevail in their resistance to the brutal military regime that overturned the will of the people and kicked out the civilian government in February. Also, for strong international pressure and the cutting off support to the regime from China and Russia that are significant weapons suppliers to Myanmar’s armed forces. May His peace and restoration come to this long-suffering country!

If you, your church, or any others you know would like to be part of this humanitarian effort to evacuate brothers and sisters in Christ and/or to provide food and other necessities for those remaining in Afghanistan during this dangerous and difficult time, every penny you provide will be used to help them through the agencies we are supporting. For Myanmar, we are also funneling aid to pastors and a missionary who are providing humanitarian aid as well as sharing the Gospel during that nation’s civil war situation.

Share your thoughts and prayers in the comments below.

(Photo Credit: Paula Bronstein /Getty Images).