What can we do about the crisis in Afghanistan?

Lance Shumake • August 25, 2021

The following article was originally posted on iGo Global's blog.

We all watched as Afghanistan fell apart. It's bad. Really bad. There is no doubt about that right now, and that statement has nothing to do with politics.


If you can set aside your political thoughts and questions for just a few minutes, I think there is a bigger question for us to consider.


How can we help?


At the end of the day we have very little to say about the would, should, could, and the where, when, and why of this mess. But surely we can help. Surely we can ask Jesus to help us see these people the way he sees people.


"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." --Matthew 9:36


Compassion. When people are in trouble, that is what God leads with. He moves to help them, and it doesn't seem to matter how they got into trouble.


So what can we do? Since we aren't adding any iGo trips to Afghanistan right now (we thought about it, but we knew your parents would never sign all those release forms), how can we really help?


We can pray.


You knew that was coming, right? That doesn't make it any less true. I quoted Matthew 9:36 above. Do you know what comes next in the next verses? Jesus tells his disciples they should respond by praying. That is always the first step, and it is more than just preparation. It is the work. So, let's pray for the situation in Afghanistan. And let the Scriptures inform our prayers.


Colossians 4:2–4

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak."


Paul requests this prayer from prison. Pray that a door will open up for him to proclaim the gospel, even while he is in chains.


The church in Afghanistan has been growing for a while. The leaders of those churches and the members of those churches are in danger. We should pray for their safety, of course. But we also should pray for doors to open so that the gospel can be proclaimed. The only hope for Afghanistan, the Taliban, and everyone else is the hope found in the gospel. Let's pray God opens up doors.


Genesis 50:20

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."


This is what Joseph told his brothers in Egypt after he finally revealed his identity to them. After all they had done to him. After all he had gone through, suffered, and endured. His view of the whole journey is incredible, and it shows us that Joseph trusted in a mighty and powerful God.


There is a lot of evil running rampant in Afghanistan right now. But God is in complete control. He always is and always will be. So pray that God will demonstrate His plan and His provision and His power in all of this mess. Pray that God will be glorified through it all. And pray for justice to reign because we serve a God of justice. Pray that even now we will begin to see the Romans 8:28 promise shining through the chaos.


Psalm 146:7-9 (emphasis added)

He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly.

The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.


Our God cares deeply about the oppressed and the foreigners without a home. He cares deeply about refugees. Pray through these verses of this Psalm, and then ask yourself if you might be part of God's help for these people.


We can go.


No, we aren't planning a trip over there, but people in need are all around us. In fact, refugees from Afghanistan are the main focus of our Launch Box week in San Antonio. You literally can join us as we serve refugees from Afghanistan next March. I'm not exactly sure where this new group of Afghan refugees is going to be settled, but this country has had plenty of other problems in the past, and probably will find more in the future.


Our Launch Box week in San Antonio is set for March 7-11, 2022. Students and adults serving that week will get to share the love of Jesus with people in need. People from Afghanistan.


We also have a week of Launch Box in Fort Worth - March 14-18. We work with refugees in Fort Worth from all over the world. And yes, some of them are likely from Afghanistan.


Let's pray. Let's go. Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let's make Him famous.


--


For more info about iGo Global's refugee work called Launch Box, visit their Launch Box page.

Arm Yourselves

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Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Prepare to suffer Is. 50:6-8a I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. The martial language indicates that discipline and grit are needed to live the Christian life, particularly in view of the suffering believers encounter. -Thomas R. Schreiner Some people won’t like you if you follow Jesus When a culture abandons biblical standards, when extramarital sex, cohabitation, and birth outside of marriage become normal, people attack the church for its moral snobbery and judgmentalism. Peter warns us that if we do take a stand, we need to expect slander, not applause. -Daniel M. Dorian This is one of the hardest things a new Christian has to face. Your friends liked you because you shared in “the same flood of debauchery.” It seemed great fun at times, but then you came to embrace Christ… But your friends have not… They will be surprised when you say “No.” -Juan Sanchez. Keep an eternal perspective Our outcome is glorious Suffering is good for us Let’s remember that suffering accomplishes God’s purposes. It exposes what or whom we are trusting (1 Peter 1:6–7). - Juan Sanchez Ecc. 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Discipleship Questions: Verse 1 tell us to arm ourselves by thinking as Christ did about suffering. How did Christ arm himself for and against sufferings? What does it look like for us to do that? Have you ever lost friendships (or had them change) because you were following Jesus? Do you fear that we (or our kids) will experience greater persecution in the future? If yes, how should we handle that fear?

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