About the Azerbaijani Praying for the Azerbaijani Spanning across the globe within 11 countries, What are their beliefs? the Azerbaijani (or Azeri) are within the Turkic The Azeri are primarily Shi’a Muslims (80%), a ✝ Pray for the glory of God to be seen through the Peoples affinity bloc. They typically speak one of trait that is also shared with neighboring Iran. “In Azerbaijani. two languages: North Azerbaijani or South Azerbaijan, religious practices are less restrictive of Azerbaijani. Most Azeri speak North Azerbaijani. women's activities than in most other Muslim ✝ Praise God for the church that is already in the The name “Azeri” is said to be the name of the countries. Most women have jobs outside the country. In 1991, only 40 Christians were fourth century ruler of northwestern Iran, Atropat. home, and a few have attained leadership tallied-now, it is estimated that there are But it also may be a derivative from “azer”, the positions. However, some evidence of the 3,000-6,000 Christians within the country. Persian word for fire. traditional, restrictive female role remains.” “The Azeri have been subjected to numerous -Joshua Project ✝ Pray for the believers. Most Christians reside in invasions throughout history. The homeland of the “Official religious freedom is tempered by Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where there Azeri was first conquered by the Persians in the reactions against “foreign” religions and fears of are many Azeri-led and Azeri-language sixth century B.C. Islam was introduced into the Islamist extremism. Christian work is increasingly congregations. Pray for mature leaders. area during the seventh century A.D. and has been opposed, especially through obstruction and practiced there ever since. By the eleventh century, intimidation, if not outright persecution. “ ✝ Due to a lasting conflict with Armenia, tensions Persian influence was overpowered by Turkic with the southern republics of Russia, Turkey, influence. During the thirteenth century, this region Georgia, Iran, and with NATO, Azerbaijan is a of Asia fell under the dominion of Genghis Khan”, politically volatile nation. Pray for stability and in the early 18th century, the country saw more peace. Russian involvement, and in the 20th century, Azerbaijan was incorporated into the Soviet Union. ✝ Most Azerbaijani towns and villages have never Today, Azerbaijan is its own republic, having been evangelized. The harvest is plentiful, attained independence from the Soviet Union in folks. Pray for the Lord’s laborers to come and 1991. gather his fields! (Matt. 9:27; Luke 10:2) “Grain, grapes, cattle, sheep, and goats are raised in abundance. Vegetables, fruits, and some ✝ Pray for the poor and displaced within teas are also important products. Although the Azerbaijan. land is ideal for farming, about one fourth of the population now lives in Baku, the nation's capital, ✝ Pray for the Caucasus peoples. Mostly Muslim -Operation World working in industry. “ and unevangelized, the Lezgi, Avar, Tsakhur, Flag of Azerbaijan Kryz, and Buduq peoples are the most populous of these peoples. Gospel Progress - RED (5% or less professing Christians) ✝ Pray that Commerce Community Church would continue in prayer, with a heart given by God that aligns with his mission: to redeem a people from the four corners of the earth, for the glory of Christ Jesus. ✝ Pray that his passion for the glory of his name would be our passion. Scripture Verses for Prayer Gospel Work Azerbaijani of Azerbaijan ✝ Christian literature is quickly growing. ✝ “God shows his love for us in that while we ✝ Bible translation in the North and South were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if Azerbaijani language, as well as the NT in while we were enemies we were reconciled to audio format translated in North Azerbaijani God by the death of his Son, much more, now ✝ Christian radio/audio in need. There is a great that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by lack in this ministry area among the Azeri. his life” (Romans 5:8–10). ✝ Though not available in South Azerbaijani, the JESUS film is available in Avar, North ✝ “How then will they call on him in whom they Azerbaijani, Kurmanji, Lezgi, Russian and have not believed? And how are they to Talysh. believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without RESOURCES someone preaching? And how are they to ✝ https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/ preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 10528/AJ ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who ✝ http://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/ preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15) GroupDetails.aspx?peid=24040#topmenu ✝ http://en.caspianweekly.org/main-subjects/ ✝ “God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile! azerbaijan-foreign-policy/3708-missionaries- 2 The whole country will see how you work, all activities-in-azerbaijan-and-the-national- the godless nations see how you save. 3 God! security-problem-.html Religions in Azerbaijan (2010 census) Let people thank and enjoy you. Let all people ✝ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the- -Muslim (87.58%) thank and enjoy you. 4 Let all far-flung people world-factbook/geos/aj.html -Non-religious (9.55%) become happy and shout their happiness ✝ Jason Mandryk. Operation World. 2010, p. -Christian (2.74%) because You judge them fair and square, you 126-129 -Jewish (0.11%) tend the far-flung peoples. 5 God! Let people -Baha’i (0.02%) thank and enjoy you. Let all people thank and enjoy you. 6 Earth, display your exuberance! Total Population (2010 census) You mark us with blessing, O God, our God. 7 Commerce -8,933,928 You mark us with blessing, O God. Earth’s four Community Church corners-honor him!” (Psalm 67, The Message) Peoples: www.c3forchrist.org -Turkic (86.8%) -Eurasian (4.4%) “Delighting in CHRIST, -Caucasus (3.7%) Declaring His GLORY” Location: Located in the Caucasus Mountain region on the “And this gospel of the kingdom will western shore of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is be proclaimed throughout the whole world 86,600 square kilometers, with Iran on its southern as a testimony to all nations, and then the border, Armenia on its western border, Georgia on end will come” (Matt. 24:14). its northwestern border, and Russia on its northern border. Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan. .