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Let L mountains singN Prayers for the peoples of the Caucasus Every morning, the sun rises over the rugged Caucasus Mountains and casts its warm glow on more than 2,000 villages found between the Black and Caspian Seas. The Caucasus Mountains are largely unknown to the praying world; yet within these vast and beautiful mountains, some of the earth’s most unreached peoples live in oppressive spiritual darkness. Today, 45 distinct languages exist among the peoples of the Caucasus. Suspicious of outsiders, resistant to change, speaking some of the world’s most complex languages and shaped by war and conflict, the fiercly independent peoples of the Caucasus are — from a human perspective — a daunting challenge to the spread of the gospel. PEOPLE GROUPS of the CAUCASUS Every color on the map represents a distinct ethno-linguistic people group of the Caucasus. But even within these groups there are often additional linguistic breakdowns. Many of the 45 to 50 distinct Caucasus languages are among the most complex in the world. The world’s languages are categorized from Level 1, simplest to learn, to Level 4, most difficult. Most of the Caucasus languages are Level 4 languages. Source: NCRP-2014 For centuries, the Caucasus Mountains have hosted epic conquerors, power struggles, war and triumph. In Greek mythology, fire was created in the Caucasus. Prometheus was chained in its mountains. Arabs, Byzantines, Mongols, Persians, Tatars, Turks, Russians and Nazis have each tried to conquer and control the lands around the Caucasus. The many people of the Caucasus are resilient, holding fast Each rising sun carries the grace of another day for the to ancient traditions as they raise their families and support Caucasus — a day filled with hope and opportunity. As their communities. Every day, men and women go about God carries out His redemptive plan, each tongue in the their work — work which is quickly set aside for the greater Caucasus will return to its creation purpose — singing worth of a neighborly visit or guest’s arrival. They honor the praises of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Despite the guests and deeply value friendship. With a love of music, they challenges, the people of the mountains will indeed one day celebrate traditional events by dancing long into the night. sing Christ’s praises. Enter into God’s redemptive plan for the Caucasus by praying for the people between the seas. CIRCASSIAN TURKIC AND OSSETIAN Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted shout, depths of the earth. The Circassians historically include 12 ancient tribes. The largest Unique among the Caucasus peoples, a majority of Ossetians have Break out into singing, tribe remaining today is the Kabardian people. After surviving mass staunchly retained their identity as Eastern Orthodox Christians mountains, forest, and every tree in it. deportations and wars over centuries, Kabardians still proudly live while continuing to blend pagan rituals into their practices. They For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, by their ancestors’ values. Known for their hospitality, horses and also maintain their own Indo-Iranian language, distinct from the orchards, Kabardians exemplify the life and culture of the Caucasus. 45 other Caucasus languages. Today there are 25 to 30 evangelical and glorifies Himself through Israel. Kabardians place the needs of their friends above their own and congregations in North Ossetia. Turkic peoples, however — including yIsaiah 44:23, HCSB generously share their belongings with others. Karachai, Balkar and Meskhetian Turks — maintain loyalty to their ethnic and Islamic traditions. Vadimir’s* life was such a mess that his Muslim community told him, “God doesn’t need you. The devil needs you.” Yet God relentlessly pursued him. Now a follower of Christ, Vadimir looks back on his turbulent past and testifies about God, “He is good — very gentle.” * Name changed WEEK 1 WEEK 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pray for Amina,* Pray for Madina,* a Pray for believers in Pray for God to work Pray that Sam,* one Pray for Hope* as she Pray that many Pray that God will Pray that many Turkic Pray that Turkic Pray that the gospel Pray for God to bring Pray for believing Pray that God who delivers eggs, divorced mother of the major Circassian among the Circassian of the few Circassian shares the gospel Circassian families bring unity among men and women will families will turn will rapidly spread spiritual awakening clan elders to lead through His gospel buttermilk and four children. As she cities to be faithful diaspora, stirring believers in Jordan, boldly with those she will experience new believers within the respond in biblical from darkness to among Turkic villages among the leaders of their families in will set entire fried bread. Pray struggles to raise her and bold. Pray that longing and giving will grow in faithful meets in her diaspora life in Christ and bear Turkic people groups faith to the reality of light and from the as men and women Ossetian clans. repentance from clans free from that God will give children in a culture God will transform faith to many men obedience and that city. Pray that God the fruit of the Spirit in the Caucasus — what is hoped for, power of Satan to believe the truth pagan practices, the centuries-old her interactions that shames divorce, these cities through and women. God will use Him to will bear much fruit — love, joy, peace, Balkar, Karachai, the proof of what is God. with joy. dead religion and practices of pagan with believers pray that in Christ the proclamation and bring many to faith in in the kingdom patience, kindness, Kumyk, Nogai and not seen. vengeance cycles. spirit worship and and a deeper she will find freedom power of the gospel. Christ. among her people. goodness, faith, Meskhetian Turks. animal sacrifices. understanding of from shame. gentleness and self- faith in Jesus. control. “There is salvation in no one else, VAINAKH DAGESTANI for there is no other name under heaven given to people, The Vainakh people — Chechen, Ingush, Akkin, Bats and Kist — are Ingushetia is the poorest of Russia’s 85 federal subjects. The region of Dagestan, largely unknown to the west, was once known for their strength, resilience and love of homeland. considered the edge of the world. As such, those who were on the run and we must be saved by it.” Belita,* remembers the day many years ago when Russian soldiers found a home within the shelter of its mountains. Over thirty distinct yActs 4:12, HCSB “We feel a sense of home here,” one Vainakh man explained after arrived in her village and arrested her husband. She never saw people groups — and even more unique dialects — exist within a living away from his homeland for many years and finally moving him again. Her daughter, eight years old at the time, “was such a region the size of West Virginia. Over the centuries, this complex back to Chechnya. This strong sense of identity pulses through daddy’s girl,” Belita recalls. Her daughter and other children like history and geography has bred a warrior-mentality and intense the Vainakh people. Chechens proudly refer to themselves as “the her are now in their 20s. Memories of war shape them as they keep distrust of outsiders in Dagestan. Famous for their pride and courage, people of Noah,” believing their traditions and culture go back to alive their fathers’ longing for freedom. Dagestani men represent their region internationally among Olympic the time of the flood. * Name changed medalists in wrestling and mixed martial arts sports. WEEK 3 WEEK 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vainakh children are Pray for the diaspora Pray that elder men The strength of Pray that men and Pray that as God Mustafa* is an Dagestanis revere Unlike other Many Dagestani Pray that God will Pray for Kazakh Pray that Dagestani Pray that Dagestani reared to be tough, believers among in Vainakh families the people are also women will come to opens hearts to the Ingush believer, Imam Shamil, a hero Caucasus peoples, diaspora peoples raise up Dagestani believers who have men will be so believers will have proud and resilient in the Vainakh. Pray will hear, understand visible in their pride comprehend biblical gospel, He will raise father of five, and known for taking a Dagestani’s pride live in a gateway diaspora believers a desire to reach radically changed courage in suffering, the face of violence. that they will and believe the and stubbornness. forgiveness and up many men and the only believer in the punishment would prevent him city near Dagestan. who will return to Dagestanis with the by the gospel that knowing that Christ Pray for God’s hunger and thirst for gospel. Pray that Pray that God will strength that comes woman to be heralds the entire republic of another upon from accepting a Pray for gospel their home villages gospel. Pray that they will be known as conquered death protection over the righteousness, grow their families will bring salvation and through weakness. of righteousness of Ingushetia. Pray himself. Pray they menial job. Pray that breakthroughs and make disciples. God will open many blessed peacemakers through the cross. children and youth. in obedience and follow in faith and transform these among their own that God will raise will understand the God will transform among the Lezgi, doors for them to and sons of God. Pray that God will find other believers repentance. defining qualities people. up more believers to sacrifice of One who Dagestani pride into Dargin, and Avar who build relationships mercifully give them with whom to gather into a tenacity to encourage him.
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