Worldwide Prayer Concerns: Afghanistan, China Iran

Worldwide Prayer Concerns

“But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” Hebrews 10:32-33

AFGHANISTAN

World Vision Pray for children and families in Afghanistan who are in dire need of food and aid. Ongoing drought has led to 40% of crops being lost. In the past year, over 400,000 Afghans have been displaced from their homes, on top of the nearly 3 million who were already refugees. Over a million Afghan children are at risk of starvation and at least a third of Afghan children are malnourished and have experienced stunted growth. Pray for organizations like World Vision and others that are working to get food and relief to those who don’t know what they will eat tonight. Pray for rain and weather that will support crop growth and refill dry wells. Pray for peace so that ordinary Afghans can experience safety and stability in their daily lives.

CHINA

International Christian Concern Pray for Zhang Ligong, Wang Runyun, Wang Shiqiang, Zhang Yaowen, and Song Shoushan who have been sentenced to prison for terms of six to eight months due to their “illegal” travel to Malaysia for a Christian conference. They departed and returned through China through customs with their passports, but were prosecuted since any exchange or communications between Chinese churches and overseas Christian communities requires pre-approval by the government. Their families say they are in good spirits and are looking forward to their release. Pray that they would be safe in prison. Pray that the gospel would spread in China despite the attempts by the government to control the church.

IRAN

Jerusalem Post Pray for Pastor Matthias Abdulreza Ali Haghnejad and eight other church members who were sentenced to five year prison terms in 2019 for “endangering state security” and promoting Christianity, but were recently released pending a review of their sentences. Praise God that they are able to return home after these past few years in prison. Pray that the charges against them would be completely dropped and that they would be free to exercise their faith.

- Jonathan Peske