O God of mercy and of peace,
we hold before you the peoples of Afghanistan.
Be living bread to those who are hungry each day.
Be healing and wholeness to those who have no access to health care amidst the ravages of pandemic.
Be their true home to all who have been displaced.
Be open arms of loving acceptance to those who fear because of their gender, ethnicity, religious or political views.
Be peace to those engaged in armed conflict and those who live within its shadow.
Turn our hearts and minds to your ways of just and gentle peace.
Open our eyes to see you in all acts of compassionate care.
Strengthen our hearts to step out in solidarity with your suffering people and hold us all in your unfailing love.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who emptied himself of all but love in order to bring life in all its fullness.
Amen.
Written by Ramani Leathard, Christian Aid's Head of Region for South East Asia and Afghanistan.