#prayers for Afghanistan

Aug 28, 2021

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The Lord has put it on my heart to pray for Afghanistan. It just breaks my heart to see this country in its current state and the way our exit is going. So I thought if we all prayed a bit and doodled a bit, the Lord will hear all our collective prayers. And of course, we have to be visual in our prayers so we can slow down and pray hard

You’ve probably thought I’ve fallen off the face of the earth, but actually, I have had to step back and tend to family. I talk a little more about life in the video.

It occurred to me that I really don’t know that much about Afghanistan, so I thought we might sketchnote our way through our prayers. I am going to list some things you can pray for. If you have additional ideas, leave a comment and I will try to add them to the list.

Prayer Cards

Every day I will update this page with my prayer card. I thought it would be appropriate to include some patterns, colors, motifs from Afghan rugs, clothing, pottery on our prayer cards. But some days we may just have to address the stark realities of the worn-torn country. I don’t want to make this into a geography project as much as I am looking to add some context to my prayers.

Use #prayersforafghanistan when you post your work. If you’re not already a member, please join us in the Sermon Sketchnote Boss Facebook Group to share your work there as well.

I am planning on doing a daily prayer card until September 30th. Join me daily or weekly or whatever you can do. I don’t have all of this figured out and we might need to be flexible as we watch events unfold. If you have thoughts or verses that we should include please email me or leave a comment below.

One word of caution. Be discerning about your news sources or making donations. If you are lead to help, you most certainly should but I am asking you to be discerning about where you’re giving. There’s a lot of bad information and charlatans posing as relief organizations so do your homework. Before you give to any charity check out their rating at Charity Navigator.

Supplies

Index cards, or card stock cut in half or quarters
a black pen (Sharpie or Micron or whatever you like)
Colors optional (markers, colored pencils or watercolors.

Things to pray for

the 38 million people living in Afghanistan who have had war in their country for the last 42 years.
for the Christians in Afghanistan
That the evacuation is successful
That no one is left stranded
For the Taliban to know Jesus
For the Country to have strong leadership that rejects terrorism
the Hungry – food aid is not coming is right now
For the world’s leaders to act with wisdom and discernment regarding Afghanistan
Peace
Children
Women
Missionaries
For the sick
The persecuted
the displaced
Hope
Miracles
Pray for each of the34 provinces in Afghanistan

Day 1

Lookup a map of Afghanistan. Practice your hand-eye coordination and draw the outline of Afghanistan freehand – it’s ok to use a pencil before you ink it in. Add three facts about Afghanistan to your prayer card. Pray for the county that the Lord will heal the land and bring peace and prosperity for His glory.

Day 2

Praying for safe evaluations from Afghanistan, for everyone to get out, for peace in the land.

Day 3

I am praying for the families of our 13 fallen soldiers and for the many many Afghan families who also lost loved ones. I am praying for the families to find peace and comfort. The little pattern at the top is from a silver earring from Afghanistan.

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Comments

3 responses to “#prayers for Afghanistan”

Julie Arbuckle

August 29, 2021

Wow! So glad to hear that your mom and dad are settling in. Sounds like mom still has a lot of spunk!
Walking this first year without my mom has been very up/down. But I’m glad she is not here to see what is going on in Afghanistan! She made 2 mission trips there – in her 70’s!! And her heart was for them and the ex-Pat. workers there. I have been in contact with the mission group that she worked with (cannot share the name in this venue for safety reasons) and have found that all their workers have been safely evacuated to nearby countries and are continuing their work in refuge camps! But the nationals and the underground church are still in danger! This motivates me to go through her things and find her pictures from her trip!

Reply
1. marsha
  
  September 1, 2021
  
  Julie
  
  Thanks so much for sharing this. Wow your mom was quite the lady! If you can share more insights into life in Afghanistan we all would be blessed.
  
  Reply
  1. Julie Arbuckle
    
    September 2, 2021
    
    After her trips, she had total knee replacement. It was important to her that she be able to sit Indian style after the replacement because it was a kill-able offense to sit down and show the soles of your feet there (specifically to a man) – and if you were killed for it it was totally acceptable.
    
    She also mentioned driving — excuse me, being driven (not acceptable for women to drive, not was it safe to go anywhere without a male escort) past refuse piles along the streets and in the middle of it beautiful fragrant roses growing. This really impressed her (she saw a parallel to our life with God, but I don’t want to misquote her).
    
    When she was sharing with women – teaching them they are valued and loved – they were not allowed to mention Jesus or the Bible, but she could say “a great wise man once said…” and quote scripture that way or they could speak of Christ if someone asked a direct question.
    
    She spoke of how they arrived at the underground church so as to not draw attention to it. Oh how sweet the fellowship was!
    
    I’m digging through her journals, studies, and photos from her trips.
    
    Several people from her mission group have been murdered by the taliban in the ten (ish) years since her first trip there. The last one was 2019 – a very targeted and specific murder. It really broke her heart.
    
    Reply