In 2001, America began a “War on Terror” to avenge the attack of al-Qaeda forces on American soil. Nine years later, troops remain in Afghanistan with plans in place to “transition” leadership to local security forces.

Many argue the battle is not done until Bin Laden is brought to justice. Others are ready to end the war completely now, claiming the efforts are a waste in light domestic economic issues. Many in the Muslim world see the conflict as another act of “American Occupation.”

I don’t have all of the answers, but it’s disturbing to me that an Afghan Christian faces trial for converting to Christianity from Islam. Further, the recently released US State Department report on International Religious Freedom ranked Afghanistan as a nation with decreasing religious freedom. The report estimates approximately 800 to 5,000 Afghan Christians.

While I highly respect our military and the veterans of our armed forces, something is wrong with this picture. Military might is neither ending the conflict nor improving religious freedom. People continue to live in poverty. Christians continue to suffer. War continues.

Afghanistan and America both need more than a transition of power. They need an act of God.

My “Activist Faith” challenge today is simple: Let’s begin a direct focus of prayer for Afghanistan. Pray for the people on ALL sides (not just our troops). Pray for Afghan Christians, fathers, mothers, and children of all backgrounds, humanitarian workers, government leaders, and anything else you can think of.

Our goal used to be to “win the war on terror.” Then it became to “win the hearts and minds” of those in Afghanistan. Maybe we can stop trying to “win” and begin praying for God to do something bigger than we could ever imagine in our own human strength.

If you are an Afghan Christian, you are my brother or sister. I am praying for you. If you are an Afghan or NATO force member of any kind, or an aid worker or missionary serving in Afghanistan, I am praying for you today.

Something is wrong. The answer is not money, military, oil, or politics. The answer is God.