Earthquake in Afghanistan

More than 2,400 people have died and an estimated 1,500 are injured after several earthquakes, including one of 6.3 magnitude, hit western Afghanistan Saturday near the city of Herat.

This comes after three previous earthquakes have already claimed the lives of more than 1,000 in the past two years: January 2022 (5.6 in Badghis, near Herat), June 2022 (5.9 in Paktika and Khost, eastern Afghanistan) and March 2023 (northeastern Afghanistan). Floods, deathly cold winters, terrorism, and an extremely oppressive government have only increased the desperation of already poverty-stricken families.

More than 99% unreached with the gospel of Christ, Afghanistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, with Islamic extremists persecuting and terrorizing not only Christians and women, but other Muslims as well.

An estimated 90% of households don’t have enough food to eat, with countless people dying daily of starvation and malnourishment, especially children. Earning a living is difficult, and in many cases impossible. Under Taliban rule, women are forbidden to work or go to school, leaving desperate mothers with no way to feed their hungry children.

Three weeks ago, the Taliban detained 18 staff members of International Assistance Mission (IAM), a Christian-based NGO which has served Afghanistan since 1966, pouring over 40 million dollars into helping the poor. We still have no update, and it is likely these 18 are undergoing extreme conditions. Please continue praying for them here:

Christians Detained in Afghanistan

Lord, please have mercy. Rescue those who are trapped. As they wait alone, injured and afraid, speak to them in powerful ways through dreams, visions and other personal encounters with You. Show them the way to salvation. As those in need cry out for help, answer them quickly. Release the IAM workers who have been detained and any other Christians forbidden from doing aid work in Afghanistan, so true help will come in the midst of this terrible tragedy. Give all Christians favor with authorities. Use underground believers to shine Your love and bring healing to the lives of those who have been broken by so much trauma. Perform signs and miracles and wonders to bring thousands of lost to You, O God. Comfort those who mourn. Rebuild what is lost. Provide for every need, and do it in such a way that all will know You are the One who did that. As Muslims suffer greatly under such an oppressive Muslim regime, and as their hearts bear the scars of a lifetime spent without the knowledge of Your salvation, open their eyes to see You, Jesus. Open their ears to hear Your voice calling them to salvation. Open their minds to understand You are the only Way, Truth and Life. And open their hearts wide to receive You as Savior. Give them a hunger for You so deep they will seek You with all their hearts and find You. Don’t let even one more person die without the opportunity to hear, understand and respond to the gospel. Tear down every barrier. End the reign of terror. And awaken the peoples of Afghanistan to Your love.

Join us for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on Sunday, November 5, 2023, as we pray for our brothers and sisters who are in danger, and for their persecutors to be saved.

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

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