# Praying for Afghanistan and the Divine Mercy
*2021-07-26*

> Hosts Bill Young and John O'Rourke reflect on the tragic loss of American servicemen in Afghanistan and lead a series of prayers, including the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, for the victims and the world.

## Tragedy in Afghanistan

Today is Thursday, August 26, 2021, and it is a sad day in America. We have lost twelve American servicemen in Afghanistan who were trying to protect people attempting to flee the country from the Taliban and ISIS-K. It is heartbreaking to see these lives lost in what feels like a preventable tragedy. We see history repeating itself in a way that is devastating, and it is clear that we must turn to prayer during this time of crisis.

## The Need for Prayer and Leadership

John and I discussed the ramifications of the current leadership and the lack of a clear evacuation plan. While political strategies and debates over resignations or impeachments continue, the immediate need is for the safety of those still trying to escape and for the souls of those already lost. Regardless of one's political leanings, the current situation is apparent: our enemies are not afraid of the current administration, and the results have been catastrophic. The only thing we can do now is pray and hope for better leadership in the future.

## The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

We dedicated today's Chaplet of Divine Mercy specifically to the souls lost in Afghanistan, our servicemen, and those still struggling to escape. We began with the De Profundis prayer for the souls in purgatory, asking God to deliver them through the precious blood of His divine son, Jesus. Following the Apostles' Creed and Psalm 130, we prayed the Chaplet, pleading for mercy on the whole world for the sake of Christ's sorrowful passion.

## Veneration of Divine Mercy

As part of our novena, we focused on the seventh day: the souls who especially venerate and glorify God's mercy. These are the souls who are the most compassionate and serve as living images of the Compassionate Heart of Jesus. We also remembered St. Faustina, whose birthday was yesterday, by praying the Litany of Divine Mercy, acknowledging the unfathomable mystery of God's love that lifts us out of every misery.

## Prayers for Peace and Abandonment

We concluded with specific prayers for victims of sudden and violent death, asking God to comfort those who lost loved ones unexpectedly. We prayed for the world, asking that those in authority make wise and just decisions based on the needs of others rather than selfish motives. Finally, we offered a prayer of abandonment to the Father, placing our souls and our trust entirely in His hands, accepting His will for us and all creatures.

*In times of national tragedy and global instability, our greatest recourse is to pray the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, placing our total trust in the Father.*