Afghanistan has a population of 43,013,831 consisting of 77 people groups. Of that population, 42,971,000 people in 72 of the people groups are unreached. As a whole, Afghanistan is 0.01% Christian. It is 99.9% Muslim. 

Afghanistan is near the bottom of the UN Human Development Index, which measure overalls quality of living. It is hostile to religions besides Islam, especially in tribal areas. There are no official Christian churches in the country, only small private meetings among the few thousand known Christians. These factors make hard soil for gospel seeds to flourish.

We asked Afghan believers that have stayed or returned to Afghanistan to give their prayer requests that could be shared with their brothers and sisters around the world. Following is part of their list of requests that they shared. Please join the Afghan Christians as they pray daily for God’s church in Afghanistan, small in number, but mighty in the power of the Lord.

1. There are no church buildings in Afghanistan and many Christians are cut off from underground networks of believers, especially after the takeover of the Taliban. They feel isolated and unsure whom to trust. Pray that the underground church will grow again in unity and in numbers as most of the Christians have fled the country due to the intense persecution.
2. This year Afghanistan is tenth on the World Watch List for good reason. Christians are extremely vulnerable. Their families feel compelled to save the family honor by forcing believers to reconvert to Islam. If these efforts are unsuccessful, Christians may be disowned, banished, abused, kidnapped or even killed. The authorities and extremist groups form another threat to the lives of Christians. Pray for the safety of Christians and for strength to remain faithful in the midst of their persecution.
3. Pray for peace negotiations with the Taliban, that their power would be broken and this war-ravished country would know peace.
4. Women in Afghanistan have very few rights; many are denied even basic education or medical care. They are often neglected, abused and mistreated, and authorities offer no protection. Pray that Afghan women would be protected and honored, and that, through the saving power of Christ, they would know the love of our Father in heaven.
5. According to the Corruption Perception Index, Afghanistan is grouped with Somalia and North Korea as one of the three most corrupt countries in the world. Since the return of the Taliban it is also one of the biggest exporters of drugs. The corruption and drug trade threaten any development of Afghanistan, even as they bind countless people in dependence on this “shadow economy.” Pray that Christ would break the power of corruption and drugs, and that the Christians’ lives of godly integrity would be beacons of hope.
6. Every year Christians lose their lives for their faith. Though these “persecution incidents” are often not reported, the pain and trauma facing those who are left behind are immense. Pray that God would comfort the families of martyrs and strengthen their faith so they can endure in these difficult times.
7. Join Afghan Christians in praying for terrorists, extremists and others who oppose Christianity there and in the West. Pray that God would touch their hearts and draw them to Himself through His great love and mercy, and that their zeal would be for the worship and service of Christ.
8. Pray for awakening and breakthrough among Afghans. Pray that those who are lost will be saved by Christ.
9. Pray that God will raise up mighty warriors among indigenous believers to fight for Christ’s kingdom by praying, preaching the Word, and making disciples.