Religious Liberty Prayer List - No. 144 - Wed 21 Nov 2001

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After being held by the Taliban for more than three months on charges of preaching Christianity, the four German, two American and two Australian Christian aid workers have been dramatically rescued.

On Monday night 12 November, the Taliban fled Kabul ahead of the advancing Northern Alliance and allied forces, taking with them the eight foreign aid workers, presumably to use as hostages or even human shields. Heather Mercer left a note in the Kabul prison which read, 'What a friend I've found. We serve a God of miracles. I cry out. God is good all the time. My hope is in you Lord faithful one, so unchanging.' The aid workers were taken to a gaol in Ghazni, en route to Kandahar. However, as the Taliban retreated, the group were left behind in what seems to have been an oversight. They were then rescued by anti-Taliban forces and taken back into Kabul where they were greeted with hugs and cheering from the people. 'Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.' 2 Cor 1:11 (RLP 141)

There is some uncertainty about the fate of the 16 Shelter Now Afghani aid workers arrested with the expatriates in early August. By some reports, they were freed or escaped from prison, while others say the fate of the 16 Afghanis is still unclear.

Afghanistan is currently in transition. Confusion reigns and power struggles are leading to a breakdown in law and order. In the wake of the Taliban retreat, former warlords have simply reclaimed their previous fiefdoms. An interim government needs to be installed and new rules put in place. The United Nations recognised head of state, the Islamic scholar and former president, Burhanuddin Rabbani, has returned to Kabul after five years in exile. He heads the Afghan Jamiat-e-Islami, which pursues Islamic revival through religious orthodoxy and political Islam, although not as extremely as the Taliban. Iran is encouraging Afghanistan to resist any form of 'foreign domination' or 'outside interference in their affairs'.

After five years of Taliban oppression, Afghanis are now free to rediscover radio, television and film. Gospel broadcasts are going into Afghanistan. Will Afghanis be permitted to 'receive Christianity'? Will Christians be permitted to worship freely and share their faith? There is no reason to assume a new Islamic government in Afghanistan will automatically embrace religious liberty. This is a very strategic time to persevere in prayer that 26 million Afghanis may be granted their basic human right of religious liberty.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* God to overrule any continuing hardline Islamic oppression in Afghanistan so that all Afghanis may have freedom of religion.

* other nations to follow the lead of the European Union and make aid for Afghanistan conditional on respect for human rights.

* the strategic ministry of Christian broadcasting and satellite TV particularly now, that many will find Jesus as they excitedly explore the outside world through the media; may this freedom continue. 'I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, "Here am I, here am I."' Isaiah 65:1

* God to honour the perseverance of our few Afghani believing brothers and sisters and strengthen them, particularly many who may now be refugees, that he will keep them safe and restore them as a remnant and witness in Afghanistan.

AND PRAISE GOD FOR

the rescue of the aid workers, whose imprisonment and threatened execution brought the harsh reality of Taliban religious oppression before the world and stimulated much prayer for Afghanistan.

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ------------------------------------------------------------

Praise God for the dramatic rescue of the eight foreign aid workers who were held captive for over three months, under threat of execution for preaching Christianity. Some confusion remains about the fate of the 16 Afghani Shelter Now workers who were also arrested. Afghanistan is in transition. People are keen to explore the outside world via the radio and TV sets they are pulling out of their cupboards. Pray that they will find and receive Christian radio and satellite TV programmes. Pray that God will overrule in the present chaos and power struggles in setting up a transitional government. This is a highly sensitive and strategic time to persevere in prayer for religious freedom to become a basic right in Afghanistan.

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