Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse is answering its own prayers and working to get Americans out of Afghanistan, where it has already helped more than 700 people escape in one day.
The operation began with Graham, son of the late Rev. Billy Graham, urging churches nationwide to pray for Afghanistan on Sunday, Aug. 22. This included a special focus on helping Americans trapped in the now Taliban-led nation escape safely following President Joe Biden’s failed military withdrawal.
“Join me right now for a time of prayer as we lift up Afghanistan, our leadership as they make critical decisions, and all those whose very lives are being threatened by the Taliban — including Christians,” Graham tweeted on Sunday.
In this case, his call for prayers became answered through his own organization’s work. Working with mission groups in the region, the organization reported two days later:
“Samaritan’s Purse has been partnering with organizations on the ground to get men, women, and children out of this horrific situation. We have been able to sponsor flights that have brought hundreds to safety—one of our partners made three trips that brought out 700 people in one day! We have also supported the evacuation of 80 missionary families via land routes.”
That’s more like it! A handful of American Christians banded together and led a better escape plan in a matter of days than the leader of the free world.
The emphasis on helping Americans leave the nation is especially important as Biden announced on Tuesday he does not plan to extend the military’s time in Afghanistan beyond Aug. 31. In addition, he is limiting his efforts only to the Kabul airport, a world away from many Americans trapped outside the capital city.
Biden would rather cut his losses and leave Americans behind than deal with the difficult work of rescuing every last American. It’s been said the devil is in the details, but in this case God’s people are the ones taking care of the dirty details needed to free people trapped through Biden’s disaster.
A comment on social media regarding the account noted, “If the government won’t do it, it must be done by level-headed, compassionate civilians. In 1940, a civilian armada sailed across the English Channel and rescued over 340,000 service members in only 9 days from Dunkirk. It was dubbed the ‘Dunkirk miracle.’”
Many Americans stuck in Afghanistan need a miracle right now, and it looks like some are getting it in the form of people showing up outside of government assistance to do the work. If Biden isn’t going to stand up to the Taliban, somebody should. We can’t all fly over to the Middle East to help, but there are a few called to the challenge to rescue Americans and others trapped by the Taliban fueled only by faith. That’s the kind of inspiration our nation needs at this moment, and they’re not getting it from the White House. Instead, it’s coming from Americans willing to both pray and act to rescue fellow Americans.
