Early last week, 23 Korean Christians doing relief aid work in Afghanistan were taken hostage by a Taliban group.

Since Wednesday, their number has dropped to 22.  The Korean group leader, a Presbyterian pastor, was found shot dead.

Some of you may know about this already - here’s the latest news I could find:

Taliban extends deadline (World News)

Please pray for perseverance for the Christians in this ordeal & that God’s name will be honoured & glorified in their witness.

Please pray especially for the family of the pastor already killed, that God will comfort them and provide for their needs.

..GENESIS 50:20..

TZ.

Hi Tia
I like your scripture reference (Genesis 50:20) that you finished your post with.

It seems that humanly speaking this is a difficult place to share God’s love, yet we know that God is not bound by human limitations. Somehow God will bring good out of this very difficult situation for these Koreans. Let’s pray.

Tia,

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. I confess I have not prayed for these hostages, so more thanks from me to you.

Like Derek, I loved your Genesis reference. It takes spiritual discernment and maturity to understand that our circumstances, however ever dreadful, are in God’s control and are for the good of ourselves and others.

Your reference reminds me of something I’ve just read on page 71 of “Revive Us Again”:

If we are to serve God only, then we cannot be look at our circumstances with too much alarm. They will cripple us and immobilize us spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

I have prayed that our dear brothers an sisters-in-Christ will keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and know, really know, the comfort and strength of our Heavenly Father, as they remember and draw sustenance from His love and promises which no-one or authority can take from them.

thanks again
Angela

Update:

Taliban claims second hostage

Keep praying…

TZ.

According to Open Doors, Muslim extremists may have a reason to worry, because there are more Muslims becoming Christians than at any time previously, and many of them are paying a heavy price for this. Thank you for reminding us to pray for these brothers and sisters.

Sounds like things are getting worse:

Another deadline from Taliban

If the threats of this group are realised, in approximately one hour from now they will start killing off the 21 remaining Korean hostages…

TZ.

I pray that the darkness, that Islam is living in, may one day let in the light of the gospel, and free millions of people from slavery to their misunderstanding and rebellion against God.

We live in the last days for this world, I pray Muslims seek to know the true and living God as He has truly revealed himself in the truth of the bible.

I pray for the unfortunate victims and martyrs captured by these barbaric people. Please may You find a way to release them Father.

amen

Here’s the latest I could find:

News from yahoo.com.au

Please pray for perseverance for the Christian hostages - sounds like it’s hard.
Pray they will be comforted in their uncertainty & anxiety, trusting that to live is Christ and to die is GAIN.

TZ.

Yesterday in our church we prayed for people who are suffering because of their faith [such as the brothers and sisters in Afghanistan] and also for Christians who are suffering in the normal course of life [such as Adrian and Amy, who have just lost their little son].

I appreciate your reminder to keep praying for persecuted Christians.

There is no official confirmation, but there is a report that two of the hostages have been released.

Released cos they were sick, and the Taliban said also to comfort the South Koreans....

Where do these guys live?

Where do these guys live?

That’s just what the coalition forces would like to know !

Good news. It’s now definite that two female Korean hostages have been released. There are still 19 remaining South Korean hostages in Ghazni province Afghanistan.

Here’s another update.

TZ.

Here’s a report claiming that the Taliban have agreed to release the remaining 19 hostages.

Edit:
And here’s a similar report from the BBC.

Another of the same:

Taliban hostages ‘to be freed’

Release sounds imminent, but at such a great cost...?

ISAIAH 55:9-11

TZ.