In 2014 the Coalition forces will pull out of Afghanistan. It is possible that the violent Taliban rebel movement and other Islamic radicals will gain more control over Afghanistan at that time. These groups could also subvert Pakistan, which has nuclear weapons capable of threatening India, the West, and other parts of the world. The International Prayer Council is launching a year-long prayer focus for 2013–2014, asking Christians around the world to pray for the dissolution of the Taliban and the restoration of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The International Prayer Council hopes for a massive response from the Body of Christ to ask God for His deliverance of both of these strategic countries from the threat of the Taliban and radical Islam.  Prayer points include:

• For God to raise up intercessors from around the world who will intercede during this crucial time.
• For the Taliban and other radical groups to be thrown into confusion and not allowed to advance in their violence—and that leaders will be removed or caught by Coalition forces.
• For the fear of God to fall on leaders so that they will convert to Christ.
• For Pashtun tribal leaders in Afghanistan to forbid the Taliban to operate in their territory—and actually start opposing them.
• For President Karzai of Afghanistan not to give in to Taliban demands.
• For a moderate party to win elections in Pakistan and spare the country from radical Islam and Sharia law.
• For the small population of Christians not to be afraid, but rather to be emboldened by the Holy Spirit to stand up in faith and strongly pray for their own countries.

Since the mid-1990s, prayer teams have gone into Afghanistan, praying with local Christian workers for an end to the Taliban. For a period of time, it seemed the Taliban had been defeated, but now it has come back and is threatening to take over. For more detailed prayer points, go to ipcprayer.org and click on newsletter, IPC Connections, February 2013.