[Today’s Prayer] Afghan Woman Who Converted to Christianity Continues Her Faith and Refugee Ministry Amid Persecution

Open Doors recently shared the story of a female convert from Afghanistan who has continued to keep her faith and carry on ministry despite a series of hardships including exclusion from her family and community, threats of violence, escape, and life as a refugee, and requested prayer. The case of this woman, referred to by the pseudonym “Zaki,” shows the reality faced by women who choose the Christian faith in an extreme religious environment.

Zaki grew up in a devout Muslim family and lived under strict religious rules. She was in an environment where she would be punished if she did not keep designated prayer times and religious duties, and as a woman, her life was strongly controlled in terms of dress and behavior. This structure continued even after her marriage.

The change began after her husband’s conversion. After accepting the Christian faith, her husband showed changes in his personality and attitude, and through this, Zaki also came into contact with the Christian faith. Eventually, influenced by her husband, she decided to believe in Jesus.

After her conversion, Zaki explained that she formed a personal faith experience apart from her previous religious worldview. She said that she moved away from ritual-centered practices and was able to pray and worship freely, and that her attitude toward life also came to value forgiveness and the restoration of relationships.

However, these changes soon led to conflict within her community. Zaki was labeled a “kafir” (unbeliever) and excluded from social relationships, even experiencing rejection of everyday contact. There was also a breakdown in family and relative relationships, and hostility within the local community intensified.

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Zaki is currently involved in ministry for Afghan women refugees. She mainly focuses on faith education and emotional support, helping women who suffer from trauma caused by war and persecution. This ministry is known to be supported by an international Christian organization.

Meanwhile, Zaki shared that her children are experiencing discrimination at school because of their faith. She also shared prayer requests concerning the safety and faith of family members remaining in her home country, as well as the need for worship spaces and Bibles for ministry.

Source: Christian Today

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16)

God, we hear the news of grace that after coming to believe in Jesus, our sister Zaki from Afghanistan has endured severe persecution from her family and community, yet has kept her faith to the end and is now serving Afghan women refugees in Central Asia with love.

We thank You for choosing our sister Zaki, who grew up in a devout Muslim family and lived without knowing the true truth under strict Islamic teaching, and for allowing her to know the immeasurable love of the cross and to receive Jesus as her Savior who gives true freedom and grace.

Though she became a Christian in a strong Islamic nation, was labeled an unbeliever, and became a target of Taliban attacks, she has not lost her faith in Jesus and continues to carry out the mission of sharing the gospel. Please receive with joy our sister Zaki and her family, and grant them an unshakable faith.

God who chose and established our sister Zaki from the beginning, please let there always be fruit in all her service as she overcomes suffering and now serves women who suffer from the same wounds and trauma. Let there be a wonderful work in which Afghan refugee women in Central Asia hear the gospel through her and come to meet Jesus.

Let the global church hear about Zaki’s situation and join together in prayer, and not only that, but also pray and serve so that many Christians like Zaki who have become believers in Islamic nations and are keeping their faith may rise as a victorious church to the end.

And so, even in severe persecution, may the Lord raise up disciples among all nations who do not deny Him but follow the Lamb even to death, bearing the fruit of the gospel in every nation.