A Prayer for Afghanistan

I wrote this prayer for this coming Sunday service and thought I'd share to help others pray for what's going on in Afghanistan. 

Dear Lord, 
We praise you on this Sabbath day.
We thank you that we can come to this house
to hear your word opened and preached in our lives, 
to hear the voices of the saints and to sing with them, 
and to be present with the members of your holy church. 

We enjoy these blessings in peace,
but this week our hearts break for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.
Lord, we pray for their physical protection.
We ask that you allow as many as possible to safely flee.
We lift up the church and its leaders
that they can stand firm in the faith.

We even pray for the Taliban, Lord,
for we know that if you could convert
Saul of Tarsus (who persecuted you and your church), 
You can save and redeem even these evil men today.
Humble them, and may they find forgiveness for their wicked deeds
in the blood of Christ,
not merely as a prophet,
but as the Son of God.
​
Beyond the church, we lift up the refugees fleeing their homes, 
as well as those stuck in the country under this oppressive rule.  
Lord, come quickly. 
Our hearts long for your return when you will right all wrongs. 
You are the sovereign King of the universe,
Nothing is too difficult for you. 
We ask these things in Your Son’s powerful name, Amen.