Pakistan and Iran continue to expel millions of Afghan refugees who fled their homeland to escape war, poverty and Taliban rule. The more than 2.4 million who have already crossed the border back into Afghanistan now face hunger, persecution and other life-threatening hardships, even torture by the Taliban.
Many Afghans reported being beaten by Iranian officials on the long bus ride to the border. Some, like Zahra Hashemi, who was born in Iran, are setting foot in Afghanistan for the first time. She and her family were asleep in their home when Iranian police forcefully took them to a prison camp without allowing them to change clothes or gather their belongings. Now, she and five of her seven children live in a makeshift refugee camp in Herat, Afghanistan, without food, shelter or provisions. Her married daughter is still in Iran, but her 19-year-old son was arrested separately by Iranian police and also deported. (Associated Press, August 4)
Between 10,000 and 30,000 have been crossing the border from Iran daily, and Pakistan is in the process of deporting about 1.4 million whose legal status expired in June.
And yet, in the midst of such suffering there is hope. One man who terrorized for the Taliban many years met Jesus in a dream, left Islam and now follows Christ.
Lord, please end the reign of terror in Afghanistan. Open the doors for Christian aid agencies to enter and provide help for starving and needy returning refugees. Protect the helpless and provide for their needs in miraculous ways they will know it is You. Don’t let anyone perish without the opportunity to experience Your love and salvation. Make a way for them to hear Your Good News such that they can easily understand. Lift the veil from their eyes so they will see You as You truly are, and open their ears to hear every word You speak to them. Give them such a deep hunger to know You they will seek You until they find You. For only You are their true Home, Lord. Bring Christians to their aid to help them find safety, shelter, counseling, food and other needed provisions. Meet them in their dreams and give them visions from Your heart to theirs. Show them the Way to salvation. When those in need cry out to You, answer them. Perform signs and wonders, healings and other miracles in such a way that they will know You did that, Jesus. Topple every wall that has kept them from knowing You, and draw them to Yourself with lovingkindness. May Your perfect love cast out fear and give them courage to choose You as Savior. All of these have been forbidden to seek You not only in Afghanistan, but also in Iran and Pakistan. Give them courage to seek You now on their journey to find freedom, for only in You are we truly free. Make knowing Jesus the main topic of conversation as they await passage, in times of distress and as they seek a new place to call home. Then, as they surrender to Your grace and choose You as Savior, open the way for them to share Your Good News with other Afghans, transforming thousands more lives with Your Truth and Love.
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