Here are some main themes and requests that we hope you can continue to hold up in prayer before the Lord until we see His transforming justice come for both countries (remember the persevering widow of Luke 18):

Pakistan

The honeymoon time between the newly-elected government and the Taliban is over. The Taliban have killed over 1700 people in the last couple of months and broken out 248 of their colleagues from prison.

The government seems to be afraid to do anything out of fear of retaliation.

• Pray that the government will boldly take action and bring down the Taliban for their own security and the good of the nation.

• Pray that the Taliban leaders will repent or otherwise be stopped and that their followers will be disheartened and demoralized, thrown also into disunity and confusion like King Jehoshaphat witnessed when God through Judah’s enemies into conflict with one another in 2 Chron.20.

• Pray that the “strong men” (the pirs who are spirit mediums), the spirit beings they offer blood sacrifice to, as well as the occult shrines where they operate will be bound according to Jesus’ promise Matthew 18:18.

• Pray Pray for the local intercessors and Christian leaders to take on the spiritual responsibility of praying for their land in unity and faith with others. Like David, may they take the spiritual battle to the Goliath they face that is destroying their land!

Afghanistan

The good news is that the Taliban attacks have diminished and there has been some decrease in the fighting. Bombs have gone off prematurely, saving many. However, over 600 soldiers and police have been killed recently. Government officials are also being targeted with their families, which is discouraging for them. We are thankful to report that the Taliban’s “peace meetings” have fallen apart since they would have most likely led to a sell-out of the country to these radicals by the departing coalition forces.

• Pray for the national elections that the right people, especially the right person for president, will be chosen through the selection process that begins next month and ends on Oct.6. The actual election will be on April 5.

• Pray that the Taliban will experience massive demoralization and quit fighting, overcome by warweariness after so much bloodshed and fighting.

• Pray that the Pushtun tribe, 400 of whose tribal leaders have been killed, will reject and drive out the Taliban from using their territories.

• Pray for the Kabul prayer initiative happening from Aug. 17-22, that encouragingly is being led by local believers. May they and other believers in the country arise and do exploits for the Lord, full of faith and unity, wielding His authority to drive the spiritual forces of evil from their land!

Thanks for standing with us for the deliverance of both nations through the power of the Lord, mediated through united prayer of His people, both ours and the local believers.