Afghanistan: Taliban Bans Women’s Faces, Voices

The Taliban issued new laws last week banning women’s voices and bare faces in public. (Fox News, August 22)

Under the new vice and virtue laws, a woman’s body must be completely covered at all times in public, including her face. Her clothing must be loose, long and in thick. They must cover themselves in front of both male and female non-Muslims, as well. They are forbidden to look at a man not related to them by blood or marriage, and such men are also forbidden to look at them. Because a woman’s voice is considered intimate, she must not be heard reading, singing, or reciting aloud in public.

More than 99.8% Muslim, Afghanistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, with Islamic extremists persecuting and terrorizing not only Christians and women, but Muslims as well. It is also one of the hungriest nations, since most humanitarian aid agencies left when the Taliban took over in August of 2021.

Lord, we ask You, please, to intervene in the lives of every woman and girl in Afghanistan. Use these new laws to deepen every Muslim woman and man’s hunger for You. In the midst of loneliness and hiddenness, come and meet them in powerful ways. Let them hear Your voice, feel Your touch, and know the way of salvation You provide for them. Tell each Afghan woman how precious she is to You, uniquely formed by Your perfect hand for Your perfect purpose to be loved by You and to love You back. Meet them in their dreams. Lift the veil from their spiritual eyes so they will see You as You truly are. Make a way for them to connect with Christians through the internet or in person, and burn within their hearts a deep hunger for the LOVE, LIFE and PURPOSE only found in Christ. No matter how many restrictions an oppressive Muslim government places on them, Jesus offers true freedom that cannot be taken away. Even now, women throughout Afghanistan are considering taking their own lives because they feel there is nothing to live for. Intervene, Lord, by Your mercy. Show Yourself to them. Open Your arms wide to receive them. Rescue them from out of such deep darkness into Your Kingdom of Light. Many Afghan girls and women also face arrest, abuse, kidnapping, rape and more. Please be a Shield around them. For those trapped in dangerous situations, provide the way of escape. Block their abusers from harming them, and do it in such miraculous ways, they will know You are the One who did that. Break them free from depression, loneliness, feelings of worthlessness, and every other trap of the mind the enemy has set against them. Transform their lives so radically their husbands see their peace and joy and are drawn to You. Bring whole households to faith, and use them as beacons of light to draw the lost around them out of the darkness and into Your love. When Christians pray to You, hear their cries and answer them in miraculous ways. Heal the sick, make the lame walk and the blind see. Don’t let even one more Muslim die without knowing of the sacrifice Jesus gave so they can be free. Lead every heart in Afghanistan on a path to seek You and find You. Use for great good what the enemy has meant for evil. Awaken every heart to Your love and bring forth a church planting movement there that is out of the Taliban’s control, with thousands turning to You in faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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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