U.S. geologists and Pentagon officials have discovered vast mineral wealth in Afghanistan, enough to turn the devistated country into one of the world’s most lucrative mining centers. Gen. David, commander of the United States Central Command said, “There are a lot of ifs, of course, but I think potentially it is hugely significant.” Americans discovered what they say is $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, including iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium, according to the report. Afghan experts are upping that estimate to $3 trillion. One Pentagon memo said Afghanistan could become the “Saudi Arabia of lithium,” a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries for laptops and cell phones.

While this could be a great blessing to Afghanistan; it could also very easily become a curse. Wealth can bring out our best as human beings – dynamic infrastructures, education for everyone, life-saving health care, breakthrough technology. But wealth can also bring out our worst – war, corruption, conspiracy, personal obsessions.

So while we can be thankful that Afghanistan may now have a “ticket” to effectively enter the civilized world, it may also drive a new rush for control of this very broken nation. They need God. They need a miracle.

“God, thank you for filling the earth with treasures of beauty and practical use. You have deposited great treasures in the land of Afghanistan. This war torn nation has suffered much. And war, great pain and poverty have held citizens there in terrible bondage. Now that these deposits of minerals have been discovered we pray that you will guard Afghanistan from greater turmoil. Instead of triggering greed and corruption may this discovery bring prosperity to every Afghan. May they also come to discover the true treasure of life – a relationship with you, the One who created them, their land, and the wealth within it, and within them! In Jesus…”