History Unfolding: Are You Praying for the Enemy Too?

I can’t continue to blog and write about my typical material, knowing the extent of the suffering and persecution going on in Afghanistan these days. Although I usually blog and write about mental health and faith, my scope of themes has broadened since changing the name of the blog/site from BipolarBrave to KatieRDale.com. So today I’m sharing my opinions on how the world, especially Afghanistan, is changing and is crying for prayer.

Last week I received an email announcing the beheading of 229 Christians by the Taliban terrorist group, sent out (unbeknownst to the messenger) as a hoax from some time ago that cycled through the internet again this week. Troubling to hear something so disturbing, but just as disturbing to know someone would put that out there.

Before I found out that it was a lie, I was driven to pray for the 229, calling on God to intervene, interceding in the spirit every time I turned around. Only, the sobering thing is, we should do this daily anyway.

“Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” (Hebrews 13:3, NLT)

What in the World?

According to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), Nigeria has been in a heightened state of persecution of Christians for what seems to be a while now. The former secretary of state Mike Pompeo addressed this back in 2019 with the UN. I’ve been receiving newsletters updating the urgency of their plight from Attorney Jay Sekulow for a few months now as they are filing briefs to the United Nations. They’re asking for prayer, petition signatures, and financial support, but the battle wages on.

Do you think the world is going to go on and life is going to return to normal prior to COVID-19, to Trump’s pledge of America first, to even a freshly brave post-9/11 United States of America? Think again! In 20 years look how much our world, our nation has changed. Post-Christian America has become an almost obsolete reference. Progressive liberal agendas are being pushed like never before.

I’ll Do My Part

As the world turns, history is happening now. I’m done idly sitting on the sidelines and watching it all pass by. I’m stepping up and getting vocal (one of the reasons I changed my site title). If this is the way the world is waning, I’m not going to stand for it, and if I can do anything in my power, I’m going to passionately share my convictions to anyone willing to listen.

I am sharing this view as answering my calling for the lost. Among them, the Taliban. Pray for the Christians, innocent civilians, US armed forces, of course. But the Taliban…

Jesus stopped the persecuting Saul—AKA Saint Paul—in his tracks and opened his eyes. A Women of Faith speaker articulated the sobering truth regarding who we view as our biggest enemies, saying “Jesus didn’t hang on the cross one minute longer for Hitler than he did for you!”

Gulp.

God, the One and Only

Is there nothing too hard for God? No, our God is the One and Only who parted the Red Sea, who rained flood, food, and fire from the heavens, and who is holy and untouchable. But He healed the humiliating hemorrhages of an outcast and made the heart and soul of a prostitute whole. We’re talking Jesus, the Christ, Messiah, here! I can’t keep it within me lest my soul bursts from the pent-up passion. That’s my Jesus! The One and Only.

Is He your One and Only? Did He heal your heart, mind, or soul? Then shout it out from the rooftops! If we’re going down, I’ll sing it from the gallows! Heaven, rush the gates of Hell!

Are you getting me? Does the blood boil in your veins to the point of percolating the passion of Christ? Do you hear the call to pray? Do you see why it’s so important we intercede for the Christians and the Taliban?!

Time to Fan the Flame of Hope

You know how Saul’s story ended—he went from executioner to one of the biggest encouragers of the Church.

And it’s not over for the Taliban, yet.

Pray for the darkest, blackest hearts to be washed in the blood and plunged in the depths of Calvary’s crimson tide. Jesus paid it all for them too. Don’t forget, we were all once a version of the Taliban; enemies of God raging against His sovereignty and kindness. And yet Jesus still went to the cross for me, for you, for Hibatullah Akhundzada and his troops, for the suicide bomber who killed those American troops yesterday.

Let’s not let the rocks cry out! Let’s get on our knees and cry out. For their sake, God’s sake, and the ministry and mission of Jesus. This isn’t over. As long as the body of Christ has the spirit of God in it, and the light of Christ as a city on a hilltop, let’s shine.

Starting with myself, first, I’m gonna stop being apathetic. I’m gonna start fervently praying for peace, light and eternal life. Souls saved, the gospel shared, the God of goodness, mercy and justice to rule and His kingdom to come, His will to be done just like it’s done in Heaven to transform the worst people imaginable…in Afghanistan, in Nigeria, in America, and to the ends of the earth.

Come on, church! This is the time we were made for! The time is now, history is happening, and prayer is vital!

It’s acceptable to live our lives, raise our families, earn a living, but we need to make prayer and the kingdom a priority. Pray as you go.

Let’s Bring It

Heavenly Father,

We cry out to You! We plead for peace and the murdering to stop at once in the places your people are being executed for their faith. We need You! We can’t do this mission without Your supernatural power! God, we will pray and kneel before You, asking You today that in Your sovereignty and wisdom, for You to break through into this world with greatness and glory. Presence and power.

Bring Your peace of heart to the brothers and sisters in Christ being martyred. For the sake of the peace of mind for each Christian being tagged to be executed, please spare them this kind of death, if it means You are glorified. And if You don’t pass the cup of persecution on, we still praise you, like Job, and so many who have come before, in the presence of our enemies. Anoint each one’s head with oil, give them gladness, give them peace, give them success in sharing your love and saving grace.

God, flex your mighty muscles.

To quote your Son, “but deliver us from evil…” from the grasp of the devil, from the threat of death, from the clenched jaws of the prowling enemy. We ask forgiveness for not praying and interceding sooner, before, where we have fallen asleep and dozed off, growing lukewarm and lackluster. For the lack of zeal, we are sorry.

Good Father, give us your strength to face the news, the evil, the shadows as they creep over the countries of the Middle East and Beyond, and give us victory in Your son, with the knowledge and truth that Jesus has paid the price for our sin and stands, alive, interceding in Heaven on Your children’s behalf. We join Him in pleading their case.

Lord, hear our prayer.

In Christ’s matchless, almighty name, amen.