lenten journey, day 20 — a prayer for the taimani aimaq

According to The Joshua Project, which identifies and highlights people groups around the world with little or no exposure to the Gospel, The Taimani Aimaq of Afghanistan are the #1 unreached people group on the planet.

How sad. How unimaginable and discouraging that there is a group whose “claim to fame” is complete ignorance of Jesus.

Of the half million Taimani people, none are known to be Christians. None.

Sadder still is the fact that the Taimani, whose lives have been ripped to pieces for decades by internal and external strife in Afghanistan, have no promise of hope to cling to. As very religious Sunni Muslims, the semi-nomadic Taimani have little beauty or joy in their lives. The harsh mountainous region where they make their home is remote and inhospitable. There is limited access to clean water, and virtually no medical care.

Yet glimpses of God’s loving provision are found in the beautiful woolen carpets woven by Taimani women. Patterns unique to each tribe are passed down from mother to daughter, and money earned from completed carpets is often the only means of survival for Taimani families. These works of art are truly lovely and echo the beauty of the One who blessed the Taimani with their weaving skills.

While Afghanistan is more open now than it has been in many decades, courageous missionaries and new believers alike need God’s hand of protection in a huge way. Many who share the Gospel have been killed, and those who put their faith in Jesus often meet the same fate. But God has a plan for the Taimani people and all of Afghanistan…a plan to see the name of Jesus exalted above all other gods! I am continually amazed and encouraged by the stories told by those ministering in strictly Muslim countries—stories of unreached people experiencing dreams and visions of Jesus months in advance of anyone sharing the Gospel. May God continue to pour out his Spirit as he draws the Taimani and all unreached people to himself!

Oh Jesus, the Taimani Aimaq need you so badly. But many don’t even know it, because they simply haven’t heard. I can’t imagine being a stranger to your grace. I can’t fathom being unacquainted with the hope of your salvation. I can’t begin to grasp worship that isn’t all for you. Just as the Taimani weave their beautiful rugs, would you weave together a team of workers to bring hope and the good news of salvation to these precious people? Would you send dreams and visions to the Taimani to prepare their hearts for the Gospel? When each Taimani man, woman and child finally hears the name of Jesus, I pray that they would experience a fierce burning in their heart as evidence of you. Lord, please give the Taimani a hope and a future in you. Yes, and amen.

“…I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” — Joel 2:28

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” — Jeremiah 29:11