The Crisis of Afghanistan
As Americans pulled out of Afghanistan yesterday, leaving hundreds - some estimates are as high as 1000 - Americans behind, many could do nothing but weep. It did not have to be this way. Perhaps some of the quotes from the British Parliament, shared by The Daily Wire News, best sum up what has occurred.
“Members blamed Biden for the situation and shamed him for trying to cast blame on others, including the Afghan military. Many of the members said that America’s image was seriously damaged around the world and the West could suffer greatly in the years to come because nations may no longer trust the West to keep its promises.
“‘First, notwithstanding his attempted explanation on Monday, the manner and timing of the Afghan collapse is the direct result of President Biden’s decision to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of 9/11. At a stroke, he has undermined the patient and painstaking work of the last five, 10, 15 years to build up governance in Afghanistan, develop its economy, transform its civil society and build up its security forces. The people had a glimpse of a better life, but that has been torn away. With US forces withdrawing, other NATO allies, including ourselves, had no option but to leave too, denying the Afghan national army the technical and training support that it needed and the moral support of friends who encouraged them to take the fight to the Taliban. Until a few weeks ago, the Taliban was being contained and may even have been persuaded over time that a military victory was impossible and a negotiated settlement was the better course. Those possibilities are now a closed chapter of history, an opportunity lost, and the world’s western superpower is looking enfeebled. The only glimmer of hope today is that the Taliban of 2021 is not the Taliban of 2001,’ said Lord Dannatt.
“‘My Lords, all my life I have been pro-American and favourably disposed to the United States, but not any more at this moment. What Biden has done in Afghanistan will go down in ignominy as one of the most shameful and despicable acts of betrayal by any American President. Tens of thousands of men will be slaughtered, thousands of young girls forced to marry these Taliban brutes and 14 million women driven back into slavery. Afghanistan was emerging into the light with freedoms for women and children, who will now be ruled with 500-year-old barbaric religious laws. That is Biden’s legacy. He cannot blame it on Trump,’ stated Lord Blencathra.”(1)
Though our brave military men and women would’ve gladly gone into Kabul to help our citizens and others get to the airport, they were forbidden to do so. Many of our retired special forces, however, did quickly organize and helped hundreds of them escape.
According to Emily Zanotti from The Daily Wire, “Retired Green Beret commander Scott Mann, who led the ‘Task Force Pineapple’ mission, [which rescued at least 500 people] disputed the Biden administration’s claims that all Americans who want to get out of Afghanistan are able to leave.
“‘The Pineapple volunteers – these are all special ops volunteers and civilian supporters. We’re doing this remote. We’re doing this from the US, but we’re building on our relationship and trust that we’ve had with our Afghan partners for 20 years. So we’ve got the ground truth on the outside of the gate,’ Mann told the network.
“He added that, as recently as yesterday, during a period in which the Biden administration should have been doing everything possible to extract the remaining Americans, a bus full of 50 individuals was turned back.
“‘Here’s the deal,’ Mann told Fox. ‘There are hundreds of American citizens right now who are not able to get in. Yesterday, there was a bus of up to 50 American citizens with many small children within sight of the gate. The Taliban were not only not letting them in, they were firing over their heads, firing around the bus with these little kids on there. Imagine sitting on that bus with your kids, enduring that for hours at a time, never got in.’
“‘This is happening all over the city,’ he said. ‘We’re going to have American citizens and Afghan allies behind enemy lines within a few hours.’”(2) And it happened just as he said.
In searching for the best way to pray today, I don’t believe any better instruction could be given than that of Intercessors for America. This ministry, on the front lines of prayer for our nation for decades, shared the following comments and prayer points. They do a wonderful job of mixing faith into this horrible situation.
Intercessors for America shares: “The world is watching as the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan is a growing tragedy. Thirteen U.S. Servicemen dead at the hands of ISIS-K. It's a humanitarian crisis, a power vacuum, a chaotic withdrawal, a modern-day martyrdom, all of which needs prayer. There is so much going on that secular news isn't revealing to us, but IFA has received insider intel and spiritual direction. Let's all come into agreement, speak God's Word, and believe that He is hearing, He is seeing, and He will act. Prayer and action are needed.” We will use their guide as our prayer today.
“Here’s how you can pray:
“1) Safe Evacuation and Relocation
Ask the Lord to continue to make a way of escape for people. They need divine intervention. And as those who are evacuated are relocated to other countries, pray for their transition and safety. Missionaries who are in Afghanistan are seeing firsthand what is going on and are in clear danger, as are stranded technology workers, farmers, aid workers, contractors, and U.S. citizens. Throughout the Bible, wherever God's people looked outnumbered, God intervened in miraculous ways. ‘Remember the great terrors the LORD your God sent against them. You saw it all with your own eyes! And remember the miraculous signs and wonders, and the strong hand and powerful arm with which he brought you out of Egypt. The LORD your God will use this same power against all the people you fear’ (Deuteronomy 7:19).
“2) Pray for angelic intervention and a hedge of protection for those left behind in Afghanistan.
As there are those who are still in Afghanistan either as rescuers, missionaries, contractors, Afghani Christians, or allies, pray for their protection. Pray for supernatural help and hope. ‘My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; You save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies (2 Samuel 22:3-4). ‘Don't be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha’ (2 Kings 6:16-17).
“3) Deliverance for the innocent children and families who are trapped, being attacked, and even kidnapped.
Pray for the Lord to reveal His mighty right arm of deliverance. Many Afghani people--especially women and children--are being caught in the crosshairs or are a target of violence by the heavy hand of the Taliban or ISIS-K. Pray for them as they endure the harsh and evil new regime. Keep believing God for miracles. ‘Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me’ (Psalm 138:7). ‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven’ (Matthew 18:10).
“4) Pray for the Taliban and ISIS-K to be neutralized.
In the Bible, there are several stories when God's people were in fear of being attacked by enemies and God caused the enemies to retreat by supernatural means. He can do it again (Read 2 Kings 7:5-7). Pray that the Taliban and their actions would be recognized for what they are by the international community. Pray that ISIS-K would be disorganized and ineffective in their terror plots. ‘The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven’ (Deuteronomy 28:7).
“5) Pray for our nation's military leadership.
Our nation's military leadership seems to lack an effective evacuation plan and clearly has not protected Americans. Pray that God would guide and direct U.S. servicemen and women at all levels to make the right decisions. Pray for the families of military members who gave their lives for the cause and their country. ‘When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan’ (Proverbs 29:2).
“6) Pray that Jesus would reveal Himself to the Muslim people.
Pray for the Muslim people in Afghanistan to have dreams and visions and to hear the audible voice of Jesus Christ. May God point them to Jesus Christ as Lord through miraculous healings and deliverance. Although we do not hear much about it, many Muslim people are receiving Jesus Christ after seeing Him in dreams and visions. Even the Taliban can be saved and forgiven because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. ‘Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do’ (Acts 9:1-4).”(3)
Intercessors for America is a wonderful organization offering many tools to help you learn how to pray more effectively. Visit ifapray.org or call 800-USA-PRAY.
Click on the link below to watch the full prayer.
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