In January 1973, delegates from each governing group, including the United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and perhaps the most evil, Vietcong Gorillas, signed a peace agreement in Paris, France, to close the nonstop U.S. military commitment in the unpopular Vietnam War. The fundamental stipulations were to be a break in fighting throughout North and South Vietnam, the pulling out of U.S. armed forces, the liberation of POW’s, and the integration of North and South Vietnam through peaceful measures. In addition, the South Vietnamese leadership was allowed to remain in place until after elections were held, and North Vietnamese military in the South could not expand neither be strengthened.
Two months after the signing of the peace agreement, the only remaining American fighting companies leave South Vietnam while Hanoi releases the last American POW’s in custody in the North. The United States of America’s nonstop involvement in the Vietnam War was at an end after eight long and bloody years.
However, before our last troops deployed home on March 29, the communist North abused the cease-fire agreement between North and South, and by early 1974 war had begun once more. South Vietnamese powers that be reported that more than 80,000 soldiers and civilians had been killed in fighting during that year, making it the most damaging year of the entire Vietnam War.
As the last few Americans remaining in South Vietnam were airlifted out of the country on April 30, 1975, Saigon fell into communist hands. The Vietnam War, having many political agendas, was thought to be the longest and most detested distant war in the annals of U.S. history; costing beyond 58,000 American lives. And grasp this, as many as two million Vietnamese soldiers and civilians were killed. Many mistakes and disastrous decisions were made by politicians and military leadership in those eight years; surely we have learned many valuable lessons in warlike engagements.
But, have we?
Enter 9/11, the Twin Tower plane attacks, the plane flown into the Pentagon, the last plane targeting the White House courageously brought down by passengers in Pennsylvania, and the loss of many, many lives on American soil. Somehow I knew as I watched the scenes unfold in American air space, America would never recover, and it would only escalate into more evil acts at home and abroad.
Within several months of the 9/11 attacks the US revenge undertaking in Afghanistan began. It was later understood that if 9/11 architect and Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had been located then captured or killed in those early months, the war in Afghanistan might have ended rapidly by the conclusion of 2001. But, we all know now that did not happen. And so, we stayed, and stayed, and stayed 20 years more.
Enter 2021, and a new administration, the Biden White House and the President’s withdrawal plans which were revealed, I believe this past April. It had been predicted that the Taliban might take control of the entire country within 90 days. However, a mere 72 hours after that prediction was made, Afghanistan’s president escaped the country and his government had fallen to pieces.
Taliban fighters marched across Afghanistan having only slight confrontation as government military for the most part surrendered, or disappeared. Kabul fell to the Taliban. My purpose here is not to dwell on or try to understand the political or military issues at hand in these occurrences. Rather, I am more concerned for those who receive the fallout of international government clashes. The citizens of Afghanistan are reaping the harvest of government and false religion at their worst. Rules and requirements will be unbearably changed with severe penalties for civilians of a troubled nation under severe leadership.
However, the Taliban are purposed enemies of God and His Church. The Taliban has targeted Christians throughout Afghanistan. There are reports that claim dozens upon dozens of Christians are being hunted and martyred without hindrance. There are pastors, missionaries, and other American Christians, as well as from other nations who cannot get out of the country and are at grave risk. The Taliban are ruthless and bloodthirsty. Innocent lives are in peril; we must pray and speak out against such atrocities.
Many lives are endangered, who desperately need to be able to leave the country. The airport in Kabul is utter chaos. The Taliban are wreaking havoc. Pray the that the Taliban will become so confused and disjointed in their organization that they will make huge mistakes that allow many to escape danger.
Pray that Christians, and Christian families will find safe places, and that the LORD will protect and provide their every moment and need, while blinding the eyes of pursuers.
Pray for the many defenseless children who will be targeted for immoral and cruel practices.
The early church, while under the beginnings of severe persecution, simply asked God for boldness to proclaim the Gospel. Pray for boldness to share so that the Afghanistan church continues to grow as it has been in Kingdom purposes. Pray for the Spirit to prepare the hearing and open the way for victories.
Pray for the Taliban leaders to experience visitations from Jesus that will cause them to question everything about whom they are and who He is.
While you are in an international praying mood, pray for the persecuted Church worldwide. Pray On!
