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Replace with page 1 of cover PDF William Carey Library What is the Global Prayer Digest? Featured book The Global Prayer Digest is a unique devotion- al booklet. Each day it gives a glimpse Sixteen Seasons: of what God is doing around the world Stories From a Missionary and what still remains to be done. Daily Family in Tajikistan prayer for that still-unfinished task is at the heart of the Adopt-A-People move-

How would a young American ment. Condensed missionary stories, missionary family react when immersed biblical challenges, urgent reports, and in the heart of remote Tajikistan? exciting descriptions of unreached peo- ples provide a digest of rich fuel for your Follow the James family’s adventures in an ancient Persian city an hour own times of prayer for the world. north of Afghanistan. Through the Become a Daily World Christian humor and pain of these vignettes you TheGlobal Prayer Digest is a key tool in a will discover not only a new people movement to help fulfill Christ’s com- and their culture but will examine anew your own culture and faith. mission to make disciples of all the peo- ples of the earth. This movement involves James takes the routine and turns it a daily discipline of learning, praying, and into the wondrous, humorous, and sometimes sad—much in the tradition of James Herriot the English veterinarian giving to help reach the world’s nearly surgeon “All Creatures Great and Small” who drew us into his world of animals 10,000 unreached people groups. Un- with both laughter and pathos. reached peoples are those groups which -Duane H. Elmer, PhD, professor, Trinity International University do not yet have a strong church in their own cultural and social setting. Having devoted my life to missionary service, I love a good read that captures the heart of another culture. Now I have a new favorite—“Sixteen Seasons” Myanmar, Mothers and the by David James. The author combines the storytelling of Hosseini “The Kite Frontier Fellowship Movement Runner” with the observation of Dalrymple “From the Holy Mountain” and adds his own spiritual reflection to the cultural interplay. The result is an insightful, The Frontier Fellowship Movement entertaining account of the infusion of good news into a dark environment. is an adaptation of a custom among -Don Eenigenburg, church planting director, Christar tribal Christians in Burma (now called Myanmar) and elsewhere. As the

ISBN: 978-0-87808-473-9 List Price: $17.99 mother in each family prepares meals for her family, she sets aside a hand- David James Our Price: $14.39 ful of rice in a special container, and WCL | Pages 286 | Paperback 2011 3 or more: $9.89 prays for their church’s missionaries to unreached people groups. Rice from www.missionbooks.org families in the church is sold to support 1-800-MISSION their frontier missionaries. Become a Daily World Christian

What is the Global Prayer Digest? Loose Change Adds Up! The Global Prayer Digest is a unique devotion- In adapting the Burma Plan to our culture, al booklet. Each day it gives a glimpse we have simply substituted loose change of what God is doing around the world for rice and have added this educational and what still remains to be done. Daily and inspirational Global Prayer Digest. One prayer for that still-unfinished task is at person’s loose change will average about the heart of the Adopt-A-People move- $100 per year exclusively for frontier ment. Condensed missionary stories, missions! When the national goal of one biblical challenges, urgent reports, and million Adopt-A-People Prayer Partners is exciting descriptions of unreached peo- reached, that will mean $100 million more ples provide a digest of rich fuel for your per year for the frontiers! own times of prayer for the world. Become a Daily World Christian Devotional Ideas TheGlobal Prayer Digest is a key tool in a movement to help fulfill Christ’s com- How can you make the most of this prayer digest: mission to make disciples of all the peo- ples of the earth. This movement involves • Some people use it as a a daily discipline of learning, praying, and supplement to their regular giving to help reach the world’s nearly devotional time. 10,000 unreached people groups. Un- • Others enjoy reading and reached peoples are those groups which praying around the dinner table do not yet have a strong church in their with the entire family. own cultural and social setting. • We encourage you to gather Myanmar, Mothers and the monthly with other Christ Frontier Fellowship Movement friends who are involved in this The Frontier Fellowship Movement movement. is an adaptation of a custom among • Join the “Frontier Fellowship tribal Christians in Burma (now called movement” (left), a version of Myanmar) and elsewhere. As the the Burma Plan, to financially mother in each family prepares meals support frontier missions. for her family, she sets aside a hand- Every day at the top of the page ful of rice in a special container, and you’ll find the name of an unreached prays for their church’s missionaries to people group for which to pray. The unreached people groups. Rice from small maps will help you locate the families in the church is sold to support day’s feature. their frontier missionaries. 3 Editorial September 2013 Feature of the Month RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Dear Praying Friends, Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Tel: (330) 626-3361 This month we are praying for [email protected] the unreached people groups MANAGING EDITOR in , a nation with a Keith Carey Turkic language and a Shi’ite ASSISTANT EDITOR Muslim majority. For many Paula Fern

centuries either the Ottoman WRITERS Turks or the Persian Empire Glenn Culbertson () dominated this land. Patricia Depew Patti Ediger However, in the 19th century the country that is now Wesley Kawato Azerbaijan was carved out of Persia and became part of Arlene Knickerbocker the Imperial Russian Empire. When established Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj Christopher Lane the USSR in the early 20th century, Azerbaijan became Annabeth Lewis one of the many Soviet republics. Azerbaijan became an Ted Proffitt independent nation when the USSR was dissolved in 1991. Lydia Reynolds Jeff Rockwell Since independence, this nation has flourished Jean Smith economically because of its vast oil reserves. With this new Jane W. Sveska wealth and independence, Azerbaijan now has a chance DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES Dave Dougherty, Director of Plans to go in its own unique direction. But what direction will and Training, OMF Intl. it chose? Will it follow in the footsteps of the neighboring Keith Carey, Managing Editor, GPD Shi’ite Muslim nation, Iran? That is unlikely since many CUSTOMER SERVICE view as a meddler. Unfortunately, because Dan Eddy they were mistreated by many people in the Orthodox GRAPHICS Russian Church and are at odds with the Christian nation Amanda Valloza of Armenia, many people in Azerbaijan may be hostile to PRINTER Christianity. It is also true that like just about all Muslim Diversified Printers , La Mirada, CA countries, Azerbaijan has restrictions on religious change. It will take believers who bear Christ without the cultural WEB SITE baggage of their enemies to win Azerbaijani to www.globalprayerdigest.org Him. Pray for such a miracle to happen in Azerbaijan. ISSN 1045-9731 Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2013 In Christ, U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Keith Carey, managing editor, GPD Pasadena, CA 91104

Contents of this booklet may be reproduced if appropriate credit and subscription information are given.

For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. PS—For security reasons, the field missionaries will For comments on content, only be identified by their initials at the end of the call (626) 398-2241. prayer entries.

4 Editorial Feature of the Month RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Tel: (330) 626-3361 [email protected] Pray for a Strong Fellowship For Every

MANAGING EDITOR Keith Carey People in Azerbaijan ASSISTANT EDITOR Paula Fern

WRITERS Glenn Culbertson RUSSIA Patricia Depew Patti Ediger Wesley Kawato Caspian Arlene Knickerbocker GEORGIA Sea Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj Christopher Lane Annabeth Lewis AZERBAIJAN Ted Proffitt Lydia Reynolds ARMENIA Jeff Rockwell Jean Smith Jane W. Sveska TURKEY DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES Dave Dougherty, Director of Plans and Training, OMF Intl. IRAN Keith Carey, Managing Editor, GPD IRAQ CUSTOMER SERVICE Dan Eddy Syria GRAPHICS Amanda Valloza PRINTER GEORGIA Diversified Printers , La Mirada, CA Caspian Sea WEB SITE www.globalprayerdigest.org

ISSN 1045-9731 ARMENIA Ganca Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2013 U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street AZERBAIJAN Pasadena, CA 91104

Contents of this booklet may be reproduced if appropriate credit and subscription information are given.

For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. IRAN For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241.

5 To Help You Pray Better 6 Background different races in Persia meant that several Azerbaijanis differentraces in Azerbaijanis Persia meant thatseveral population.Azerbaijani oftheselands The sharing by the when thePersian Empire encompassed much ofthe these landsby thedifferent Turkish groups were years and Turkish. The following thesettling of years was progressively swept away insuccessive invasions, both Century, theSeventh Since however, Church theearly churches intheirareas. Pentecost first andlaidthefoundation ofthehistoric returned believers totheirhomes intheeastafter new were Parthians, called Medes, andElamites. These day ofPentecost inActs 2:9, thoughatthattimethey were from present thelandsofAzerbaijanis atthe have afascinatinghistory.The Azerbaijanis People other Muslimpeoplegroups wholive intheregion. to gateway andsignificant astrategic makes themsuch countries. isone Buttheirlocation ofthethingsthat livingindifferent host between Azerbaijanis worldviews enforced mentalitiesand separationhascreated differing gospel withthemisavitalneed. recent centuries Over live inPersia day ismodern Iran, which the andsharing common language, history, andculture. The majority The Azerbaijanis, wherever live they today,a share United States. Azerbaijan, Iraq, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, andthe worldwide, ofthemare inIran, found andamajority Iranian plateau. There are 30millionAzerbaijanis Caspian Sea, Iraq anddown through innorthern the Mountainstothewest ofthe intheCaucasus mostly are aThe Azerbaijanis Turkic peoplegroup located Who Are theAzerbaijanis? To Help You Pray Better Who Are the Azerbaijanis?

rose to positions of great power and authority in Persia. Even to this day this remains true. The supreme leader of Iran, the Ayatollah Ali Khameini, is actually an Azerbaijani from Mashad. As the strength of the Persian Empire waned in the early 19th Century, the Russian Czar fought with Persia and conquered a part of what was the north- western extent of the Persian Empire. It is this piece of land that is now modern day Azerbaijan. It remained under the rule of the czar until the end of World War I when it enjoyed a brief period of independence as a republic. Following the fall of the Czarist Empire, the Soviet Red Army took back control of what is now modern day Azerbaijan. By the early 1990s, however, tensions in the meant that Azerbaijanis in the north once again gained their independence, and this is what is known as Azerbaijan today. It is not, however, the country that is home to most Azerbaijanis. That distinction belongs to Iran. Azerbaijanis speak a Turkic based language called Azerbaijani, but also speak the languages of their host countries as well. This makes them one of the most significant connecting people groups in the region both culturally and linguistically. Farsi, Russian, Arabic, Kurdish, Turkish, English, and many other smaller languages are spoken fluently by Azerbaijanis in their host countries. Currently only about 10,000-20,000, or 0.05 percent of the 30 million Azerbaijanis are known believers. Thus they remain one of the largest unreached people groups in the world and reaching out to them remains a high priority. The North American Azerbaijani Network (NAM) was created to see Azerbaijanis reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, as they learn about the true and living God, they will be able to reach many others in the region with the gospel. For this reason NAM believes that Azerbaijanis could have a significant impact in bringing the gospel to the people of these lands.

How to Pray for the Azerbaijanis • The Azerbaijani church in the republic of Azerbaijan is small and struggles with many issues of security, intimidation, and the tensions that face newly developing churches. • Pray for a growing and deepening unity among the new believers that will show other Azerbaijanis what the Body of Christ looks like in their midst. This will provide a strong foundation for the growth of the Azerbaijani Church. continued on next page

7 Who Are the Azerbaijanis?

• Pray for the governments that rule over Azerbaijanis. Many of them do not allow freedom of religious expression, and it is becoming increasingly hard to be a practicing believer. • Pray for the different countries where the Azerbaijanis are found, and where there are few, if any, national churches. Pray for Iran, Iraq, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, and for the Azerbaijanis in Western countries. Pray that God will raise up believers who will find their place in the body of Christ and minister to their own people within the calling of God. • Pray for the ministries involved with outreach and encouragement to the Azerbaijani people all around the world. • Pray that they will have the spiritual resources to live faithfully for Christ amongst Azerbaijani people, to show the love of God to all around them, and to be a light that shines for truth, love, and grace in their adopted nations. • Pray for the Azerbaijani believers and their desire to reach their own people in different countries. • Pray for strong, faithful churches to grow amongst Azerbaijanis wherever they are and for the grace and love of God to flow through those churches.

Prayer Updates on Azerbaijani who live in the Nations Azerbaijan Pray for the local churches in the country and for the renewed focus that some in the media have had on churches and their teaching. Several negative media articles have been released in Azerbaijan, and some pastors have felt the pressure of questioning. Other local workers have been contacted in a way that causes them to be cautious. Pray for the kind of love that casts out all fear and for the Lord’s presence to be very strong in the churches that are visited by reporters and officials. Pray for the settling of visa and residency permit difficulties of foreign believers. Many have had to leave or been put under considerable inconvenience in their work. It is not beneficial for foreigners or locals who work with them to spend so much time sorting out their visa formalities rather than working to serve the people of Azerbaijan. Iran Pray for Iran’s most prominent Azerbaijani, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, the supreme leader of Iran. Pray that God will speak to him and change his heart

88 Who Are the Azerbaijanis? from repressiveness to the truth of Christ, so that the great nation of Iran can be led to its true spiritual destiny. Pray for new believers that are coming out of the context of such violent repression and brutality. Our partner organization SAZ reported that one man called in response to their broadcasts to ask how He could know Christ. Pray for Nasser, our new brother, and for his new life in Christ. Pray for him to learn and then to find others who can encourage him in his new relationship with Christ. Iraq Iraq is home to two million Turcoman Azerbaijanis. There are only a handful of known believers among them. TAZ, our Iraqi partnership, has had three teams visit over the last few years; but they want to start an outreach ministry that is based in Iraq. Pray for them and for sufficient finances and personnel to begin the work of ministering to the many Turcoman Azerbaijanis in Iraq. Pray for peace and an end to the terrorism that has plagued the northern regions of Iraq that is home to the Turcoman Azerbaijanis. North America Pray for the Azerbaijani believers in America. As Novruz approaches every March, many Azerbaijanis will be gathering and coming together to celebrate the Ancient New Year. This is a wonderful time for believing Azerbaijanis to reach out to their own people. Pray that they will have the boldness they need to do this and to share their new-found faith and relationship with Jesus. Pray for NAM (The North American Azerbaijani Network) as we seek to find ways to reach the Azerbaijani people here in North America and for the complexities of nationality and language that can often complicate the process. Pray for us as we organize a gathering for believing Azerbaijanis in North America. Pray we will be able to make contact with Azerbaijani believers here and that they will receive a vision from God to reach their people in North America and further afield.

Chris Jones, Executive Director The North American Azerbaijani Network Office: 763 971 5102 http://azerbaijanipartnership.org, Skype name: genceman

9 Day 1 Corinthians 2:11 Missionary Biography of Isik Abla

For who knows a person’s sik Abla was born thoughts except their own in Istanbul, Turkey. spirit within them? In the IShe was raised—and same way no one knows physically abused—in a the thoughts of God except devout Muslim home. the Spirit of God. When she looked to Allah for answers, Isik No one can understand the found that he too was thoughts of God except by angry, impersonal, and the Holy Spirit. This is why hateful. Nevertheless, she held tight to the god of the Holy Spirit is essential Global Opportunities for Christ , immersing herself for turning hearts to Him. Isik Abla Today in Qur’anic studies. She Without the work of God, entered college when people cannot understand she was only 16 and earned a bachelor’s degree in the thoughts of God. Today literature, followed by an advanced business degree. we are reading about a She worked as an executive assistant for some of the Turkish woman whom the largest corporations in Turkey. Lord revealed Himself to in a In 1996, she fled to America. Overqualified and special way. What will it take struggling with her new language, she drifted for the Lord to reveal Himself from one dead-end job to another and in and out to others in the Turkish world? of dysfunctional relationships. She slid into severe depression and became suicidal. Perhaps your prayers today will be an essential ingredient Her dreams of finding love and healing in America in turning the Azerbaijani were shattered when she found herself in another abusive relationship. In 2000, her husband threw peoples to Christ. her out of a car on a highway. That same night Jesus revealed himself to Isik in a miraculous way, and her Pray for God to open hearts life began to change. to His Word when workers tell the peoples about the She got a job at a Christian company, and her boss led her to accept Christ. More doors opened, and she Lord of lords. was given a position as chief financial officer, then as CEO for the North American operations of a European corporation.

Pray for the Lord to shower His mercy on emotionally scarred people throughout the Turkish world. 10 Day 2 Missionary Biography, Continued I Corinthians 1:25

sik Abla’s faith and love for Jesus continued to For the foolishness of God deepen and even replace her dependence on men. is wiser than men, and the IThen Isik met a godly man at a church choir, and weakness of God is stronger in 2005 they were married. They were ordained by than men (ESV). World Bible Way Fellowship, served as care pastors in a mega-church, then pastored God of Miracles Have you ever heard a Church in Florida, which ministers mostly to former Muslim tell you about why inmates, addicts, and prostitutes. Islam is the truth? It sounds In 2009 she began hosting a satellite TV program very convincing if you do not called Light for the Heart on the Kanal Hayat Turkish- understand the sinfulness language channel. Two years later she added a live call- and pride of man. I once in program that is simulcast on the Turkish and Farsi listened to a Turkish Muslim channels throughout the and Europe. spend three hours explaining Says Isik, “God is moving beyond our expectations the virtues of Islam. As he in this ministry. The hits on our website … are saw things, Islam offers approaching 150,000 per month.” In one month alone rewards for good behavior her show received 4,112 emails, 2,026 new Facebook fans, 11,407 Facebook Interactions, and 18 people and punishment for every reported receiving Christ as their savior. bad deed, resulting in perfect justice. Thank goodness God One long-term missionary to Turkey commented in Christ loves us and does concerning Isik, “She has changed the equation here in Turkey. She presents a new Turkish face that is not judge us for our sins if breaking down the belief that all Turks have to be we repent and receive Him as Muslims. For the first time, every Turk in Turkey our Lord! The wisdom of man can hear the gospel being presented in a clear, can only go so far. We need uncompromising way from another Turk.” God’s wisdom, because it is true and complete. Pray for the Lord to continue to protect and anoint Isik as she continues her work of leading Turkish-speaking people Pray for the Holy Spirit to to Christ. open the spiritual eyes of the unreached peoples in Azerbaijan to God’s faultless love, forgiveness, wisdom and truth.

11 Day 3 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 Missionary Biography, Continued

Jews demand miraculous n 2009 Isik began producing a pre-taped program signs and Greeks look called Light for the Heart to air over Kanal for wisdom, but we IHayat, a 24/7 Christian TV preach Christ crucified: a channel. Her programs rapidly became the most stumbling block to Jews popular programs on the channel. As a result, a and foolishness to Gentiles, major Christian TV broadcasting company offered Isik a full-time position to produce a live show. This but to those whom God program, The Way, the Truth, and the Life, started has called … Christ the broadcasting in 2011. power of God and the wisdom of God. A report from International Turkey Network stated that they were seeing evidence of an awakening People do change. Today, coming to Turkey. But programs are not only Isik Abla is producing gospel reaching Muslims in Turkey. Her audience extends to materials for people who places like Iran, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Iraq, speak Turkish and Farsi who and Azerbaijan. Her shows are being dubbed and broadcast into Farsi and are receiving a tremendous are looking for the same response from Farsi speakers in Iran. In 2012 her things that the Jews and the programs received 25,000 emails, 17,000 downloads ancient Greeks were seeking from her website, and an astonishing 85 million visits in Bible times. She is telling to her Facebook page. Her website received 400,000 the people about the lordship hits just in the month of December, 2012. of the crucified Christ. Some In recent months Isik has been preparing for a new, see it as foolishness to preach multi-language website in Turkish, Farsi, English, a gospel based on forgiveness and Arabic. The next phase of her ministry is to begin of sin through the sacrifice of producing the English programs. Once the programs God Himself. What obstacles are produced, they will be dubbed into Arabic. she faces! Pray that Isik’s ministry will continue to grow, and that Pray for the Holy Spirit to she will soon be reaching new English and Arabic speak- intervene as people with ing audiences in Muslim lands and around the world. Muslim backgrounds view To view her website, go to: www.Isikabla.com. Her Isik’s programs. Facebook page is: IsikAblaTV

12 Day 4 Northern Azeri People in Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 3:6

cross Azerbaijan He has made us competent and among its as ministers of a new Amosques is an important covenant—not of the phenomenon: oil wells! letter but of the Spirit; Azerbaijan in recent times for the letter kills, but the has become known as Spirit gives life. one of the most oil and natural gas-rich nations The most striking contrast in the region. In 1994, between the basis of faith its leaders signed a 30- in Christ and faith in the year contract with several teachings of Mohammed is the oil companies. It is not coincidental that the difference between the letter name Azerbaijan means, “the place of the holy fire.” of the law verses the love of God and Christ’s forgiveness While Azerbaijanis form a single ethnic group, their of sin. As this verse tells us, culture has been separated mostly between those who were influenced by the Soviets and those who the former kills, while the were more influenced by the Iranians. There are latter gives life. As it stands, definite cultural and lifestyle differences between the Operation World tells us that Northern and Southern Azerbaijani groups. only about 3,000 Azerbaijanis Because of the Russian takeover of their country in the know Christ and His love early 20th century, many Northern Azerbaijanis moved and forgiveness. The rest are away from their rural homes into the cities to pursue devoted to the letter of the law, oil-related work. Most of these jobs were very low an unforgiving, unloving god. paying. For many, this condition remains as it was then. Who will tell them? Azerbaijanis have a very strong desire to maintain their culture, so they primarily marry only within Pray for the Northern their own families. Most desirable is a union of first Azerbaijanis to find and cousins. Polygamy is only practiced when there is embrace the ways of the infertility. Another part of this culture is Shi’ite Islam. Holy Spirit, the love of God and His forgiveness of sin Pray that the Northern Azerbaijanis will not be deceived so that they can be released into believing that to follow Christ one must violate their from the law of death. culture or heritage. Pray that they will feel and see the emptiness of Islam and turn to Jesus to fill the void.—JR

13 Day 5 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 Southern Azerbaijanis

Brothers, think of what you n an article entitled, were when you were called. The Southern Azeri Not many of you were wise IProblem, Karl Rahder by human standards; not wrote, “Azeris make up roughly 24 per cent many were influential; not of Iran’s population, many were of noble birth. and Tehran is worried But God chose the foolish about just whose side things of the world to they are on as rumors Azerbaijani Men shame the wise. of U.S. infiltration are Like the Corinthians, the taken seriously, complicating Azerbaijan’s own foreign policy outlook.” This is simply the latest spat in the Azerbaijanis have little centuries-old arguments between Tehran and Baku, the influence among their near capital of Azerbaijan. Today Azerbaijan is also unhappy neighbors. Paul explained that over Iran’s close economic ties with Armenia, another God had chosen the “foolish” unfriendly neighbor of Azerbaijan. Corinthians to reveal the folly Before 1813, the land currently known as the state and weakness of the wise and of Azerbaijan was part of a wealthy oil rich province strong of their world. God has of Persia called Azerbaijan. Persia ceded much of the often used seemingly weak province to Russia, so the Azerbaijanis were divided. and foolish people groups to The north came under Czarist/Soviet control until plant His Church all around the independence, and the province of Azerbaijan stayed in globe. Why not pray that He Persia, to become Iran. move in the same way among Many writers, poets, and composers perished in the the Azerbaijanis? Soviet purges, and many people suffer under the harsh rule of Tehran. To this day, Southern Azerbaijanis in Iran Pray for more “weak and are questioning their role in Iranian society. Russian re- foolish” Azerbaijanis to acquisition of the north and government repression in the become workers for Christ south, are real fears for the southern Azerbaijanis on both among the unreached sides of the border. peoples who still wait to hear the good news. Pray that their culture and history will no longer hold them back from the Lord. Pray that Azerbaijanis and Iranians will cease their hostilities. Pray that southern Azerbaijanis will have a chance to hear the good news and begin opening up their hearts to the gospel of Jesus. Pray that the deception of Islam would fall away.—JR 14 Day 6 Persian in Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 3:14-15

eep praying, But their minds were made my daughter,” dull, for to this day the “Kthe grandmother same veil remains when whispered. “But the old covenant is read. very quietly—we It has not been removed, don’t want the because only in Christ is it others to hear us taken away. praying to Isa. Only Isa will hear Have you ever tried to tell our prayers. Isa someone about Christ, and all will soften your they could do was put up a father’s heart and faulty reason to not believe? the hearts of your If so, this verse explains older brothers. why. Their minds and their Then one day we will all pray together out loud!” spirits are made dull. But the The old woman quietly shut the door and returned good news is that Christ can to her duties in the kitchen. She will gladly serve take away the dullness. In her husband and sons while her daughter continues today’s entry, we are reading to pray that they will turn from darkness to light, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and a place about believing family among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus. members praying for their husbands and brothers to be As , they are immigrants in Azerbaijan. This Persian family left Iran after the 1979 revolution enlightened by the Holy Spirit. seeking refuge in the neighboring country when They are Persians from Iran, they could no longer stand the edicts of the new and this process is happening revolutionary government. Soon after they arrived, every day in that land. Jesus appeared to the woman in a dream and told her to follow Him because He is the way, the truth, Pray that the Holy Spirit and the life. Afraid to tell her husband, she told her will remove the spiritual daughter, and together they pray for the salvation of dullness that prevents the rest of their extended family. Persians in Azerbaijan from embracing Him. Pray for God’s anointing for the tiny minority of believers among the Persians in Azerbaijan. Pray that they will be filled with the power and the fruit of the Holy Spirit so that God can extend His Kingdom to Persians in Azerbaijan and nearby Iran.—JWS 15 Day 7 I Corinthians 15:14 Meskheti

And if Christ has not been oxcars, each raised, then our preaching filled with 50 is in vain and your faith is in womenB and children, vain (ESV). rolled slowly eastward in the I know someone who has frigid winter of 1944, lived in the Turkish world not stopping for 36 for many years. One of the hours. Then the train things that is alarming is stopped only for one hour, just long that Turkish Muslims don’t enough to give two know that Christ rose from buckets of borscht the dead. When they hear soup and some bread about it, they usually doubt it to those crammed since the Qur’an sheds doubt inside. The trip continued for three weeks. These people on the matter. However, were not Jews being taken to concentrations camps, but every Muslim knows that they were Meskheti Turks being deported from their the resurrection is a very homeland in Georgia. important issue. What would Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, under the ruse of saving the happen if they understood Turks from the advancing German army, was actually that Jesus was resurrected? deporting Muslim populations to expand and fortify his empire. Forced from their homeland, the Meskheti It would lead to Him being Turks lived like slaves in Uzbekistan until the next Soviet sovereign over death itself, leader, Nikita Khrushchev, liberated the deportees from and essentially they would their military style forced labor in 1953. Chechen, Ingur, understand that He is indeed and Tatar deportees made their way back home, but the the Lord of all. Meskheti Turks were the one people never allowed to return, so many settled in Azerbaijan. Adjustments were Pray for Turkish Muslims to as smooth as could be expected since their languages and understand that Jesus rose cultures were similar, and in 1989 they were given the from the grave, and He is same rights as Azerbaijani citizens. indeed who He said He is in the gospels. Pray for Christ’s followers, who are few in Azerbaijan, to “offer a cup of cold water” in Jesus’ name to these dis- placed Turks and demonstrate Christ’s love and accep- tance to them. Pray that the Lord will help the Meskheti Turks to heal from the lost years and thrive in the 21st century.—JS 16 Day 8 Afshari People 2 Corinthians 10:14-16

ou shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in For we did get as far as all of Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest you with the gospel of “Ypart of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Jesus’ last words to His Christ…. Our hope is that, disciples declared that the good news of salvation is for all as your faith continues to peoples, even those in “the remotest part of the earth.” grow, our area of activity One of those “remote” people groups is the Afshari among you will greatly who are descendants from the larger Azerbaijani people expand, so that we can cluster that occupies a wide area from the preach the gospel in the of southern Russia to the Iranian Plateau. Like many regions beyond you. other people groups in Central Asia, the Afshari, a nomadic group, have traveled and lived in areas that are Was the apostle Paul too proud today eastern Turkey (the Anatolia), Iran, and Armenia, to preach the gospel where it as well as Azerbaijan. had already been proclaimed? We know very little about them. They are Shi’ite No, that was not the issue. He Muslims, though some from rural regions retain pre- simply wanted to make the Islamic animistic practices such as the reverence of best use of his life and spend specific sites and the worship of certain trees and rocks. his energies in planting the The Turkic dialect spoken by the northern Afshari is church where it had not yet closely related to the language of Azerbaijan. Since they been established. To keep still remain a largely nomadic group, evangelization is challenging. that vision, one contemporary mission board has even Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Afshari Muslims placed its goal prominently through dreams and visions, and pray for workers who in its name: Regions Beyond will devote long-term service to them. Pray that their Missionary Union. hearts will be prepared to hear and respond to the good news. May this “remotest part of the earth” people group Pray that the Father will hear and believe the gospel message.—JS keep us from complacency and satisfaction with what has already been accomplished in world evangelization. Pray that He will raise up missionaries to go to the regions beyond.

17 Day 9 2 Corinthians 5:10 Tatar People in Azerbaijan

For we must all appear heir physical before the judgment seat features may of Christ, so that each of us Tvary from blue- may receive what is due us eyed blondes to for the things done while Mongoloid features; in the body, whether good although most speak Russian, they or bad. also speak a unique These Tatar men might have been Notice that it is the victimized by Stalin 70 years ago language called judgment seat of Christ, not Kazan Tatar. The the judgment seat of any , a group of Turkic people, have sizable colonies in virtually every republic of the former Soviet Union, other. He is the One who including Azerbaijan, where 30,000 reside. determines our eternal fate. Often throughout history Unlike many ethnic minorities of Central Asia, the Tatars are a settled people who have completely people have made spiritual lost their traditional tribal structure. They have decisions for political survived many invasions—first the Mongols, then reasons. Some have made the Russians, and more recently Stalin’s “relocation” their choices based on how strategies during World War II. This effort resulted it will affect their ability to in thousands of them dying because of one man’s fear get along with whoever is in of losing power. power. As a result, religions, The Tatars generally are well educated and enjoy the Christianity included, can be arts. Although they are Muslim, they remain more misused as a power base. liberal than most orthodox Muslims of Central Asia, But in the end, it won’t be even inviting women to pray in the mosques instead of at home. Unfortunately, the Tatars’ view of Christianity adherence to a religious has been scarred by their interactions with the Russian system that will matter. It Orthodox Church and its earlier attempts to convert will be adherence to Jesus, them through un-Christ-like means. and nothing else. Pray that nominally orthodox Tatars would be open to Pray that the Tatar peoples the gospel message and come to know Christ. Pray that will see their need to the large Tatar church in Kazan, Russia, will be moved embrace the cross, so that to reach out to the Tatar community in Azerbaijan.—JS they will not be found wanting on the Day of Judgment.

18 Day 10 Network of Azerbaijani Partnerships 1 Corinthians 9:22

ost of the world I have become all things is familiar with to all men so that by all theM name Ayotollah Ali possible means I might Khameini, the Supreme save some. Leader in Iran, but few would know that ethnically One of the greatest lessons we he is an Azerbaijani. can learn from the apostle Paul There are 30 million was the way he adapted to the Azerbaijani people in the world, and only 20 percent people whom he tried to win of them reside in Azerbaijan. to Christ. In this passage Paul The remaining are found in explains how he made himself An Azerbaijani Boy Iran, Russia, Iraq, Turkey a slave, put himself under and North America. the Jewish law, and became The North American Azerbaijani Network, NAM for weak—all to win certain short, is an organization that seeks to coordinate efforts people groups to Christ. One of churches and mission agencies to reach the Azerbaijani of the biggest challenges for people for Christ. With only 0.02 percent out of nearly 30 missionaries to the unreached million as known believers, Azerbaijanis remain one of peoples of the world is how to the largest unreached people groups in the world. Many adapt to the cultures of those informed authorities believe that reaching the Azebaijanis could be an important key to reaching the other Muslim they want to win. We can be peoples in Central Asia with the Word of God. But confident that God will grant ministry effectiveness can easily be diminished or stalled wisdom to those who try to by lack of knowledge. NAM has field partnerships become all things to all men in that can advise on the effectiveness of mission agencies’ order to save some. initiative and projects. NAM makes it possible for churches, individuals, and interested agencies to learn Pray that workers sent about Azerbaijanis worldwide and work together to reach out through the efforts of them with the gospel. NAM will have wisdom and creativity for their work Pray that NAM can raise awareness in the churches in North among Azerbaijanis. America and other parts of the world for the need of a ministry to the Azerbaijanis. Pray for more effective partnerships that seek to start church planting movements in various Azerbaijani commu- nities throughout Central Asia.—JS

(For more information, go to: http://azerbaijanipartnership.org/)

19 Day 11 2 Corinthians 1:10 in Azerbaijan

He has delivered us from eaks soar over 14,000 feet high. Steep and such a deadly peril, and he rugged mountains produce rugged and will deliver us again. On Pdetermined people. Such is the case of the Avars who him we have set our hope live in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black that he will continue to Sea and the Caspian Sea. The Avars have lived here deliver us… for centuries. But the Soviets divided their land. The Samur River runs through the heart of Avar As the hymn said, “Our territory. Now it has become the border between hope is built on nothing Russian and Azerbaijan, creating a division less than Jesus’ blood and among the Avars. The pressure has mounted to eliminate them as a distinct people. The struggle to righteousness.… On Christ maintain their identity becomes especially severe in the solid rock I stand, all Azerbaijan, where Sunni Avars feel far outnumbered other ground is sinking by Shi’ites. Even in their ancient home provinces, sand.” He alone is our hope. government authority rests with Azerbaijanis instead He is the only solid rock, of Avars. The is ignored in school as and all others are as faulty well as any other official expressions of Avar culture. as quicksand. What do the These conditions have resulted in a fortress Muslims put their hope in? mentality that guards them fiercely against any Obedience to the laws of the outside influence. In addition to the Sunni/Shi’ite Qur’an. Don’t we owe it to division, their historical conflicts with “Christian” them to tell them about the Russia make them guard against that faith as well. A fortress mentality keeps them distant from One who offers true hope? both beliefs. The Bible, JESUS Film, and gospel Pray that the Muslim Avar recordings are all available in their Avaric language. people in Azerbaijan will find Still, it will take an Avar believer to reach other the true hope found only in Avars for Christ. Jesus as we pray for them this month. Pray that the Holy Spirit will melt the defensive barriers against Christ among the Avars. Pray that the Lord Jesus will prepare the spiritual soil for a great harvest. Pray for wise boldness among the few believers.—GEC

20 Day 12 in Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 4:4

hen we hear The god of this age has the term blinded the minds of “Chechen,”W many unbelievers, so that they people think of cannot see the light of the mass killings: the gospel that displays the bombing of a theater; glory of Christ, who is the a school attack that image of God. killed 300; and more recently, we We must remember that A Chechen Man have heard about where there is spiritual the bombing at the blindness, the enemy is at Boston Marathon. But there is more to the Chechen work. People groups like the people than violence. Chechens walk in darkness As early as the eighth century the Chechens were rather than seeing the light largely Christian. Islam did not arrive until seven of the gospel. Instead of centuries later. Today the Chechens are among the most loyal Muslims in the region. This comes partly seeing the glory of Christ, they from their opposition to Christianity as represented look elsewhere for spiritual by the Orthodox Russian Church. During WWII the answers, and Satan leads Soviet Russians “rewarded” Chechens’ loyalty with them to his evil ways. Instead forced relocation. Then the government attempted of understanding who Jesus to stamp out Islam by destroying the mosques in is, they deny Him. Chechnya. When the Chechens were allowed to return to their homeland, their resentment against Pray for the Holy Spirit to such cruelty fueled nationalistic-religious fervor. push back the work of the After they have spent centuries fighting for their enemy who blinds the minds independence, they have become very antagonistic of Chechen unbelievers. to their persecutors. Perhaps what the Chechens ultimately want is to be recognized as a people of worth in their own right.

Pray that the relatively few Chechen believers will stand firm in their faith. Pray for JESUS Film teams as they bring the story of Jesus to the Chechen people. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will call workers into this needy field. Pray for the Holy Spirit to impress upon Chechens the need for Jesus as Savior.—GEC

21 Day 13 2 Corinthians 1:11 of Azerbaijan

…as you help us by your utesh [father], I have a question,” the boy prayers. Then many will announced. “Where does the Qur’an teach give thanks on our behalf “Tabout the ‘rite of the first furrow’?” The father stroked for the gracious favor his beard and admitted, “Years ago, I asked the granted us in answer to the same question to our imam. He informed me that it prayers of many. actually began long before our ancestors learned the truth about Islam.” Notice how important our This simple exchange reflects reality for the Dargin prayers are for ministry. All people group. While they claim allegiance to Islam, of us, even those who cannot in fact many of their important events trace their travel to distant lands, can roots to pre-Muslim ages. Rules about marriage, help missionaries by praying divorce, and burial arise from Islamic sharia. But for their work. It will not many other aspects of daily life, including the agricultural calendar, can be traced back before require a visa or a passport, sharia existed. but it will require faithfulness and perseverance. Do you The Dargins’ homeland lies just north of Azerbaijan, have what it takes to help in the lowlands and foothills of Dagestan. The people follow a largely agrarian lifestyle mixed with raising workers with your prayers? livestock. Many Dargins live in Azerbaijan. They Pray that we will have the form another instance of Sunni Muslims living in a faithfulness and perseverance predominantly Shi’ite country. to uphold workers who are The Slavic Gospel Association is an agency working laboring among Dargins and to bring the good news of Jesus to the Dargins in other unreached people groups Azerbaijan and nearby areas. They indicate that even in this part of the world. some former militants have come to faith in our Savior.

Pray that these new believers would show boldness for the gospel of Christ. Pray that God will protect and expand ministries reaching out to the Dargins in this area. Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal Himself to Dargin leaders, compelling them to embrace and proclaim Jesus Christ.—GEC

22 Day 14 Kryz People I Corinthians 6:19

Do you not know that your er parents were bodies are temples of the asleep so the Hteenage Kryz girl Holy Spirit, who is in you, tiptoed out the door whom you have received of the house into the from God? You are not moonlight. Cows your own; you were mooed as she dashed bought at a price. down the dirt street Our bodies are a temple of into the bushes. Her boyfriend was there the Holy Spirit! We carry to meet her, and they the Holy Spirit within us kissed. They weren’t from the same village, and they wherever we go. He is a gift weren’t cousins. The couple knew they would never from the Father. We should be allowed to marry. The customs of the Kryz people not defile this privilege wouldn’t allow it. through misuse. Paul gives The Kryz people live in Azerbaijan which was once the stark example of sexual under Soviet Communist rule. Most Kryz speak immorality. Are there other Azerbaijani as well as their own language. This areas where we might be people group worships Allah, but they are not good taking the privilege of having Muslims; they have no qualms about drinking the Holy Spirit too lightly? alcoholic beverages. There are no known followers of Christ among the Kryz. Only a few short portions of Pray that we will take the Scripture have been translated into their language. privilege of being Holy Spirit bearers seriously Ask God to break the hold that Islam has on the Kryz enough to allow Him to people group. Pray that their bondage to alcohol may also affect our daily lives. be broken. Ask God to send faithful workers to translate the Bible into the heart language of this people group. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give them a spiritual hunger that will lead them to the cross.—WK

23 Day 15 1 Corinthians 9:20 Georgian Jews in Azerbaijan

To the Jews I became like a e’re real Jews who came out of Israel!” Jew, to win the Jews. Ikhilov, a Georgian Jew, was talking to an“W interviewer about his people. “We acquired the Again we see in Paul’s pattern name ‘’ because we settled in the of ministry how Jesus Christ mountainous region of Azerbaijan when we came acted to identify with man. from Georgia.” A genetic study led by researchers Jesus not only took on human in Israel and Estonia tells us that these Georgian form, but actually became a Jews share a common origin with other Diaspora Jewish communities in the Levantine region of the member of one people group. Near East. He was born and grew up within the Jewish culture. According to estimates, there are between 8,000 and 25,000 Jews living in Azerbaijan. One reason God became a Jew in order for the wide range of this number is because many to win the Jews. When Jesus of them live in Israel or Russia, but they still retain commissioned His followers Azerbaijani passports. The need for work and to disciple the non-Jewish education has caused many of their young people nations, He expected these to leave. disciples to become all things Most of these Jewish people do not follow a serious to all men so that by all or orthodox form of Judaism. Atheism from the possible means (they) might long years under Communist Russia has contributed save some (9:22). to this. They have their synagogues, including a new one that opened in Baku in 2011. Georgian Thank the Lord Jesus for the Jewish people in Azerbaijan are very resistant to example He gave us. Pray Christianity, and there are no known followers of that He will lead today’s Christ among them. workers among the Jewish Jeremiah 31:35-37 speaks of the everlasting nature of peoples to live like those they God’s promises to the Jewish people. His promises hope to reach for Christ. are as sure as, “the sun that shines by day and the moon and stars that glow in the night.”

Pray that messianic Jewish believers in Israel and Russia will be guided by the Lord to reach the Georgian Jewish people so they will know how God has fulfilled His prom- ises in Jesus.—PD

24 Day 16 Yiddish Jews in Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 3:18a

he MC at the podium said, “It is my honor to And we all, who with introduce our guest speaker Larisa Reikhrude, unveiled faces contemplate PresidentT of our Humanitarian Association of Jewish the Lord’s glory, are being Women for Azerbaijan. Her achievements have been transformed into his image many, including receiving the French Order of the with ever-increasing glory. Legion of Honor.” Reikhrude opened her talk by saying, “Only a few Here is one of the many years ago I stated that for many years Azerbaijan rewards for allowing the had neglected our most needy people, the old and Lord to remove the veil. One the children. We began to study how places like the can start being transformed United States, France, and Germany helped these into His image, and finally vulnerable ones, and now we are progressing. We enjoy living in His glory. Do are now able to assist many elderly people and feed you want to experience His homeless people twice weekly. This includes our own glory? Do you think that the Ashkenazi (Yiddish) Jewish people, as well as some Muslim neighbors. So many of our grandparents are unreached peoples would alone. Their children and grandchildren are living in want to know the true God if Israel. We also have made good progress in helping they only knew the way? many of our children’s homes in Baku.” Pray for the peoples of Economic and political instability between 1989 Azerbaijan to start the and 1993 forced thousands of Eastern Yiddish transformation into His (Ashkenazi) Jews to leave Azerbaijan for Israel. image so they too can According to information from the leaders of the bask in His glory. Pray religious communities, there are only about 4,300 for a transformation that living in the country of Azerbaijan will bless the peoples of today. Although some people are making efforts to Azerbaijan in such a way encourage them to follow the teachings of the Torah, that they can’t help but give for the most part they are secular Jews. Christ the glory and honor due His Name. Pray that these Jews will be reached by the growing num- ber of Messianic believers in Israel. Pray that they will become witnesses to their own people in Azerbaijan. May these Jewish people soon know the saving grace of their Messiah.—PD

25 Day 17 2 Corinthians 5:15 Jewish Tat People of Azerbaijan

And he died for all, that t’s an all-Jewish those who live should no town, but it’s longer live for themselves notI in Israel. but for Him who died for “What? “Where is them and was raised again. this place?” The Israeli student was This is why our faith is so fascinated by the demanding. Jesus told us title of an article he saw in his that we can no longer live for newspaper. It was ourselves. We cannot give Jewish Tat Elders about the town of Him our Sunday mornings and Gudiaicy, home to take the rest of the week to over 3,000 Tat speaking Jews located in Azerbaijan. live for ourselves. He wants The writer had interviewed Rabbi Rav Adam from us to live for Him at all times. Gudiaicy. The Jews came to this area from what would What a demanding message, later become southern Persia around 720 BCE. They were originally Jewish military colonists sent by the and what a great reward He Parthian rulers to guard against Mongol invasions. has for us! Some call them “Mountain Jews” because they settled in towns all throughout the eastern Caucasus Pray that this message of Mountain region. In 1742, Gudiaicy became known lordship will be clear to as “Little Jerusalem” and a center for Torah learning. the Jewish Tat people of The town thrived. Today each house has a Mogen Azerbaijan when they hear David (star), and the people are faithful to their Jewish of the One who died and faith. They have good relationships with their Muslim rose again. neighbors. They manage to live the Jewish life in a Muslim country. In Azerbaijan there are over 10,000 Tat (Old Persian dialect) speaking Jewish people. A large number of them are secular, and some have intermarried with Muslims. There are no known Messianic believers among them.

Pray that the Jewish Tat people in Azerbaijan will come to know the fulfillment of the promises God gave about the Messiah as they read the Scriptures. Pray that God will send believers to tell them about the wonderful God that loves them.—PD 26 Day 18 Shi’ite Muslim Tat People of Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 5:17

hat a pleasant surprise! Therefore, if anyone is in Ali just arrived from Christ, the new creation has Baku,W the capital of Azerbaijan come. The old has gone, the with two suitcases, and new is here! everyone greeted him warmly, especially his mother. This It takes much more than Muslim Tat family lived on saying a rote prayer to a small farm in an eastern follow Christ. It requires mountain range in Azerbaijan. us to be transformed into Now he had some explaining A Muslim Tat Woman a new creation! This is to do. Why was he carrying all the suitcases? After his mother what workers in the Turkic made some tea, the whole family sat down to hear his World are bringing to the story about why he was leaving the capital city for good. nations—a chance to cast “Things are becoming difficult for us Shi’ites. The out the old and become new. government is now forbidding certain Islamic Then the lifelong process literature from coming into Azerbaijan. We need of transformation begins. It these books so we can know the importance of our happens both at once and all Islamic rules. They are arresting our leaders and even throughout our lives. What some of the women who wear scarves.” an exciting prospect for the Up to 87 percent of the people of Azerbaijan are unreached nations! Shi’ite Muslims, making it the second largest Shi’ite country in the world after Iran. Both the Sunni and Pray for the unreached Shi’ites have been nominal Muslims for decades. The peoples in Azerbaijan to Azerbaijani government is concerned that a revival yearn to cast out the old that started among the Shi’ites will lead to violence man and become new and instability. Most of the country’s small number beings, re-created for of Christians are Russian Orthodox. With little Christ’s purposes. evangelistic outreach, there are no known believers among the 22,000 Shi’ite Muslim Tat.

Pray that God will open the way for Christ’s ambassadors to bring His Word to the Shi’ite Muslim Tat. May they come to know that true peace is found in embracing Jesus.—PD

27 Day 19 2 Corinthians 9:6 Khinalug People in Azerbaijan

Remember this: Whoever s darkness descended on the quiet hamlet atop sows sparingly will also the mountains of Quba Rayon in Azerbaijan, reap sparingly, and Afrigid sub-zero temperatures drove the people into whoever sows generously their homes. Not a soul was seen on the deserted, will also reap generously. winding streets that were lined with stone houses. Soon yellow light flickered in every house. As food At this point Paul deals was prepared, grandparents told the children stories of with some areas of financial the ancient Khinalug people. support that we are often not “People have lived here for the previous 5,000 years,” comfortable talking about wheezed the old man. “Grandfather, if our people openly. But Paul says that lived here for 5,000 years, when did we become when we give generously, we Muslims?” chimed the keenest child. “Originally we receive from Him generously were followers of the Prophet Zoroaster, but later the people of these mountains converted to Christianity. as well. This does not mean, In the 7th Century, the entire village became as the prosperity gospel crowd followers of Islam,” narrated the grandfather. tells us, that we will have Before the children could ask him another question, more physical wealth. Instead they heard their mother calling them to a supper it means that when we give of hearty broth with small dumplings stuffed with sacrificially, God will bless us minced lamb and herbs. That did it; they all ran to the in ways that might include dinner table, and the conversation was over! finances, or it might mean The Khinalug people of Azerbaijan are Sunni other blessings. Muslims. This devout people group says that Islam plays an important role in their lives. They spend vast Pray for the Lord to amounts of time in religious activity. encourage you to give as He sees fit. Pray that the Khinalug people will get to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and come to know Him intimately. Pray that they will recognize and embrace the truth, the holiness, and the righteousness of the Savior.—EJD

28 Day 20 of Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 9:11

he lines on the face You will be enriched in of the hunch-backed every way so that you womanT were the result of the can be generous on every many years she had lived. occasion, and through us She remembered the stories your generosity will result of her ancestors coming to in thanksgiving to God. Azerbaijan—stories that were passed on from one Have you ever considered that generation to the next. Even when you are generous with though years of rigorous frontier mission efforts, the A Kurdish mother and child assimilation tactics had Lord is using you to spread forced the Kurdish people to speak the Azeri language of the locals, a true the knowledge of Christ to Kurdish heart beat within her breast. the unreached? Think about it. Those who once ignored The earliest Kurdish settlement in Azerbaijan dates Jesus Christ will now be able back to the 7th Century AD. However, this group gained prominence when Shah Abbas, the ruler of Iran, to have a chance to give Him deployed the Kurds to guard the northwestern edges the thanks and praise that He of the kingdom. A vast majority of Kurds lived in the so richly deserves! Lachin area of western Azerbaijan. This region, known as ‘Red Kurdistan,’ enjoyed autonomy until 1930. Pray that the Lord will direct you to be generous with According to an Azerbaijani census, there are now those who are spreading only 13,100 Kurds remaining in Azerbaijan. They the Lord’s fame and glory to constitute just 0.2 percent of the population. An unreached peoples. enormous number of Kurds have assimilated into the local culture, and most of them identify the Azeri language as their native tongue. Even their religion is affected by the Azerbaijani majority; almost all Kurds worldwide are Sunni Muslims, but those in Azerbaijan adhere to Shi’ite Islam.

Pray that the Kurds of Azerbaijan will find their identity and sense of belonging in Christ Jesus. Pray for a move- ment to Christ among the .—EJD

29 Day 21 2 Corinthians 9:7 People in Azerbaijan

Each of you should give he middle-aged Lak what you have decided woman dug potatoes in your heart to give, fromT the tiny patch of land not reluctantly or under adjacent to her house. Her compulsion, for God loves a friend from the neighboring cheerful giver. farm yelled, “Are you cooking potatoes tonight?” When the economy is “Yes, I am making some sluggish, it’s easy to think of potato gruel for my places where we could cut husband,” she replied. back our spending. Some Her husband, like the other Lak men, was out in may even want to cut back the pasture where their herd of goats was grazing. on their giving. However, one Her husband’s family, just like hers, had relocated frequently. As a result they had become very versatile. of the best ways to become They spoke many languages and had acquired a cheerful giver is to think various customs. Perhaps they also gained some about what God will do versatility from the days when they lived and worked with what you give for the in extended family units. But today these units are Kingdom of your Savior. Then being eroded by modernization. you will be encouraged to She and her husband are among the 1,300 who give and give again! live in Azerbaijan. The majority of the Lak people live in southern Russia’s Dagestan region. Hundreds Pray for a giving heart so that of years ago Christians from the nearby nations of the gospel can be proclaimed Georgia and Armenia brought the gospel to the Lak throughout the world. people, but few accepted their message. Today almost every Lak person is a Muslim. This people group has no Bible, radio broadcast, or JESUS Film available in their language.

Pray that these resources may soon become available in the Lak language. Pray that God would prepare their hearts and minds to hear and accept the gospel mes- sage. Pray that God would raise up believers to take the love of Christ to the Lak people, both in Dagestan and in Azerbaijan.—EJD

30 Day 22 Lezgian People in Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 3:5

he small crowded Not that we are competent watering hole, in ourselves to claim theT only one in the anything for ourselves, but mountainous Lezgian our competence comes village, somehow allowed from God. space for the traditional Lezgian musicians dance that the music The Lord God Almighty demanded. One of the alone gives us the ability to village leaders confidently stepped forward with his do His will. Because of this, sword as he and his partner began the complicated we cannot claim anything steps and precise movements. for ourselves, because God Performance entertainment and elaborate craftsmanship gives us the abilities in the are important for these people who live in deep first place. Are you using the isolated canyons and gorges. talents He gave you to glorify Although the Lezgians have only 178,000 people in Him and extend His rule? Or Azerbaijan, they represent one of the larger Caucasian are you using His gifts for your people groups. Most still live in the Caucasus own purposes? Mountains, working as herders and subsistence farmers. Women are known throughout this region Acknowledge before God for their fine carpet weaving. your total dependence on Islam invaded their land many centuries ago, and Him. Thank Him for what He all Lezgians now claim to be either Sunni or Shi’ite has given you. Dedicate your Muslims. Many are only nominal, however, with a abilities to His use. strong emphasis on ancient beliefs and customs about nature and magic. Some Lezgian people are settling in larger cities and have been exposed to the person of Christ by observing the Lezgi JESUS Film. But no Scripture has been printed in the Lezgi language, which only became written in the mid 19th century. At that time Russia tried to eliminate tribal loyalties among their subjects. Instead the Lezgians became more unified with the creation of their own written language.

Pray that the Father will prepare the hearts of the Lezgians who may meet followers of Christ in the cities. Pray that teams of people will bring the JESUS Film to all Lezgian villages.—LR 31 Day 23 2 Corinthians 3:18a Rutul People in Azerbaijan

…which comes from the lop, plop! The shepherds had just finished Lord, who is the Spirit. gathering their sheep behind the fence when the We must always remember Pfirst raindrops began falling. From high up on the that God the Holy Spirit is mountain they could see their village below before they pulled the door shut on the shelter. The older the source of everything. We men pulled loaves of bread and jerky strips from their must not try to take credit for bags for lunch while they waited out the autumn what the Lord does by the storm. “You see?” they shouted to the teenagers as power of His Spirit. It is the they darted outside to check on the livestock, “Last Holy Spirit who calls members night’s ritual did summon the rain!” of unreached people groups Although the Rutul converted to Islam centuries ago, to His side. It is the Holy Spirit a strong connection to nature and magic makes up who gives them faith. It is the their worldview. Dotted along the steep mountainous Holy Spirit who gives courage landscape, above gorges and torrential rivers, you can and perseverance to stand up find small Rutul villages. In each village and in each to opposition. family’s compound, there is a small mosque, leftover evidence of Arab imperialism centuries earlier. But Pray that workers in the 40,000 Rutul people of Azerbaijan live in such the Turkic world will remote mountainous areas that little outside influence understand that God gives has changed their culture. These Rutul enjoy the the victory. May they be traditional life of animal husbandry, weaving, growing encouraged by the things wheat, pottery making, and leatherwork. God does by His Spirit. Pray The Rutul have not yet been given a clear that God will be glorified as presentation of the gospel, and there are no followers His Word goes forward to of Christ among them. No JESUS Film or radio the Rutul people, and they broadcast is available to them. Their language, also will embrace their Savior! called Rutul, was not in written form until the 1990s.

Pray that Scriptures will be translated into their lan- guage, and that the Rutul people will recognize the Creator in His Creation.—LR

32 Day 24 Budug People of Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 4:15

ow would you like to have a name which means All this is for your benefit, “angry” or violent”? The Budug people, who live so that the grace that inH Azerbaijan and southern Russia’s Dagestan region, is reaching more and have such a name. more people may cause The Joshua Project estimates that this pastoral people thanksgiving to overflow to number 1,000, while Wikipedia estimates their the glory of God. population at 516. The 1926 census figures lumped them together with Azerbaijanis. Whatever their I have said this before, but numbers, the Russian Soviets, “stifled the natural it’s worth repeating. Worship development of the people; ... the old structures of involves acknowledging who the community have disintegrated ... mixed marriages He is, thanking Him for what have increased (and) ... people migrated to the plains” He had done, and giving Him from the mountains, according to The Red Book of praise! Imagine if you will, all the Peoples of the Russian Empire. the unreached people groups Since the collapse of the USSR, change has we are praying for this month accelerated among the Budug people creating a doing this for the glory of God! generation gap. The younger Budug population is more open to change, and Islamic traditions are Pray for thanksgiving and disappearing among them. Although the Budug praise to go out among the are bilingual, those who are literate read only in unreached in Azerbaijan to Azerbaijani. Furthermore, they are isolated in three the true King of Kings. villages, only accessible during the summer. Therefore, the web site “Prayer Guard” asks us to pray for the creation of “relevant, culturally sensitive Christ- centered radio and TV programs.” This people group does not have any part of the Bible in their language. Nor is the JESUS Film available in Budug.

Pray for radio and TV gospel broadcasts in their language and for the JESUS Film to be produced in Budug and made easily available. Pray for Bible translation to begin and be welcomed by the Budug people. Faithfully pray for this group.—TP

33 Day 25 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Tabasaran People in Azerbaijan

…that God was reconciling he old man had seen a lot of change in his the world to himself lifetime. His people had once lived in extended in Christ, not counting familyT households. Now his grandchildren lived people’s sins against them. by themselves. Unplanned highland housing had And he has committed increasingly given way to planned communities in to us the message of the lowlands. They had cultural centers, running water, and electricity. Most of the traditional arts reconciliation. and crafts had disappeared. They could now purchase Reconciliation with the God new varieties of food. of Creation is what workers Much of the change came during the years of Soviet bring to the nations. They planning, but even that had changed. The Soviet are, as the next verse says, Union is no more; Azerbaijan is now an independent ambassadors for Christ. What state. Soviet political stability is lacking, and now could be a higher calling there is political insecurity. than to take the message of Yet some things remain unchanged, like poverty reconciliation and the offer of and Sunni Islam. Here traditions hold firm. Despite a pardon for sin to the world? madrasas (Muslim schools) with their focus on the Qur’an, the people still practice the ancient local Have you considered what an cults associated with nature and Muslim saints. The honor this is for the workers old man wondered if Allah was pleased by all the you support with your change. But then Allah had willed it; and who was finances and prayers? he to believe otherwise. Fewer than two percent of the Tabasaran follow Jesus. Thank Him for the privilege of being part of taking the Therefore, pray that God will send a vital Christian wit- message of reconciliation to ness, divine dreams and visions, prayer warriors, and unreached nations like the local church outreach to this unreached and unengaged Tabasarans. Pray that God people group. Pray that the Tabasaran will become cu- will enable you to increase rious concerning Jesus, and that they will seek to know your financial and prayer Him. Pray that some church will adopt the Tabasaran support for the missionaries. people group.—TP

34 Day 26 2 Corinthians 3:16

’m ready to go.” But whenever anyone Altua glanced up at turns to the Lord, the veil his“I wife and then frowned. is taken away. “Where is your head scarf? Where is your chador?” When there is a veil over Galay waved her hand your eyes, what do you see? over her slacks and shirt. Taylish Women Nothing, right? With the veil, With a sheepish smile she you walk in darkness, groping said, “You don’t like this? around without direction It’s the latest fashion.” “Liking it is not the issue,” Altua or purpose. But when the replied. “It is Western. It is not what a proper Muslim woman should wear.” Galay sighed deeply. “No Talysh veil is removed, one can woman—Muslim or not—would wear a chador. Not see the light! Isn’t the true today in Azerbaijan. That is too old fashioned.” “It is Light worth offering to the not an issue of fashion,” Altua argued, his teeth barred. unreached peoples? “It is tradition. And it is our religion.” Pray that the veil will be Though the Talysh are Shi’ite Muslims, they are at a removed from the eyes of the cultural and religious crossroads. The influence of the Talysh people of Azerbaijan Western media and consumerism has intruded, and so that they can see the light they are now faced with difficult choices. of the gospel. Pray that they Mixed in with their increasingly confused religious will turn to the Lord and beliefs and rituals is a lingering fear of the spirit walk in His light. world. Though they are Muslims, many Talysh people continue to be concerned with appeasing unseen gods of nature.

Ask the Lord to reveal His plans and purposes to the Talysh people. Pray for the gospel to be presented to the Talysh as a guide to their future. Pray that they will understand that Jesus gives life to the fullest. Ask the Lord to put this people group on the hearts of mission agencies. Pray for laborers to be prepared and sent.—CL

35 Day 27 1 Corinthians 9:19 Tsakhur People of Azerbaijan

Though I am free and ather, why don’t we have any books?” The man belong to no man, I make looked at his son and slowly began to explain. myself a slave to everyone, “F“We speak a very special language. Few outsiders to win as many as possible. have ever learned to speak it. And we have never had a written language.” The boy nodded, but was clearly One of the things the rest still puzzled. “The Russians tried to force writing of the world misses by on us, but we resisted them. We do not need them not following Christ is to show us how to live,” the man said proudly. “But the understanding of true father, how can we ever hope to read the great books of the world?” “We have the Qur’an in Arabic. That leadership. To lead is to is all we need.” serve… like the Messiah who taught that to be the Until a translation agency decides to minister to the Tsakhur, learn their very complicated and leader, you must be the difficult language and create a corresponding written servant or slave of all. Paul language, this people group will remain Bible-less. echoes this sentiment here. More than a thousand years ago many Tsakhur heard What will it take for Muslim the gospel and responded by choosing to follow peoples like the Tsakhurs Christ. However, without a Bible they were unable to embrace such a radical, to pass on their faith to the following generations. counter-intuitive message? Today the Tsakhur are considered an unreached people group. There are no known followers of Pray that the Lord will Christ among them. show us what it means to become slaves to the Pray for mission groups to focus their efforts on the world’s peoples and use our Tsakhur. Pray for the Bible to be translated into their submission to draw many language and for many Tsakhur to put their faith in to faith in Christ Jesus. Christ.—CL

36 Day 28 Wahhabi Muslims in Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 5:7

ofig’s mind was whirling. Things were happening For we live by faith, so fast, and he was beginning to wonder if he not by sight. wasT backing the wrong form of Islam. First, two Azerbaijani policemen were killed when they tried to This is an area where approach a car loaded with middle-eastern men. Then secularists think that we are the Azerbaijani government condemned his Wahhabi- crazy. If all there is in the dominated mosque for preaching violent, extremist world is matter, and there rhetoric. He knew that Wahhabis not only sought to is no intelligent Lord and eliminate western “infidels,” but attacked moderate designer, then all we can Sunni and Shi’ite people as well, not believing them to be true Muslims. Are the Wahhabis the only true do is walk by sight. But the Muslims, or are they using religion as an excuse to Bible tells us to walk by faith. take power? And it can’t be faith in just Wahhabi extremists originated in Saudi Arabia and anything or anyone. It has to have the stated goal of conquering the world for Islam be faith in the true and living by “conversion or the sword.” They are extremely God who loves us. Today we well financed by their oil-rich patrons, and they see are praying for a religious Azerbaijan’s oil reserves as a strategic step toward group that is very zealous, meeting their goal. Sharia law is the only law they and they have much faith. recognize, and they feel it is their duty to inflict it on But the faith is misdirected the whole earth. with tragic results.

Pray that the Holy Spirit may fling the veil of deception Pray that those laboring away from these people, and the truth of the gospel of Jesus in the Turkic world will Christ will be revealed to the Wahhabis of Azerbaijan. see faith in the loving Lord Pray that they will no longer be tools in the hands of the Jesus rise up as they take evil one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but might the Name above all Names have their souls saved by accepting the gift of salvation to Azerbaijan. through faith in Christ.—PE

37 Day 29 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Zoroastrians in Azerbaijan

God…through us spreads ariq laughed at his everywhere the fragrance children scurrying of the knowledge of Him. Taround the house trying For we are to God the aroma to find the seven items. “It of Christ among those is Norouz! … the new who are being saved and year!” Finally the children those who are perishing. found all the items, which A Zoroastrian young man To the one…death; to the they placed on a tray to other…life. symbolize good things such as truth, justice, good thoughts and deeds. Then, Note the two facts especially they placed the tray on a table. relevant to the frontier Tariq’s family is Zoroastrian. Their faith was founded mission movement: in Persia before Islam overcame Iran. They worship missionaries bring the Mazda, and at their new year celebration they sing fragrant gospel of Jesus to fire which is key to their worship. The name of Christ, and that message Tariq’s country, Azerbaijan, means “the keepers of brings both life…and death! the fire.” They believe all things on earth are either Some will accept it as the the truth or a lie. All good things are truth, and all evil things are lies. They believe the world’s evil will aroma of life, while others eventually be destroyed by fire and molten metal. A will reject it as the stench of large Zoroastrian temple still exists in Baku where death. This includes people eternal fires burn from gas plumes. with high morals. Pray for God to protect the Zoroastrian people in Pray that His Word will be Azerbaijan. As Islamic extremists move into the coun- quickly understood and try, they will become more vulnerable. Pray that Christ’s taken to heart throughout followers will be called of God to go to them in the Name Azerbaijan, and may of Jesus Pray that the truth of Jesus will be clear to them, multiplied thousands find and they will be saved from the eternal fire that they new life in Christ. recognize as coming. Pray that there will be an outpour- ing of the Holy Spirit in Azerbaijan, and many will be saved.—PE

38 Day 30 Baha’i in Azerbaijan 2 Corinthians 3:12

hat a wonderful, tolerant religion!” So think Therefore, since we have such 2000 people in Azerbaijan. “We can all a hope, we are very bold. “Wbe one in unity before God. He has sent messengers throughout the ages: Buddha, Mohammed, Jesus, How bold are you in your Confucius, and many others. All religions are equal witness about Christ? If you and lead to God.” lack boldness, you are not By spreading this doctrine many fatwas have been alone. This verse tells us what issued for those converting from Islam to the 19th could be our problem: We century Iranian-based Baha’i religion. Fatwas are aren’t leaning on the hope a pronouncement calling for their death. Islamic we have in Christ. Do we rely extremists aren’t so tolerant, and they prefer to stamp on the hope that His ways out disagreements with violence. are true? Do we rely on His The Baha’i religion found its way to Azerbaijan before deliverance? Witnessing to this country was a Soviet republic, and the powerful the Baha’i people is not likely Communists were not happy with its followers either. to be resisted with violence. The USSR confiscated their temples and harassed their people. To this day the Baha’is are asking for But it will be resisted through the return of their temple building which remains arguments concerning the in Azerbaijani government hands. During the worst uniqueness of Christ. oppression their ranks nearly disappeared; but they are now back to the 2000 people they started with. Pray that workers among the There are five million Baha’is worldwide according to Baha’i people will have such Operation World. a strong hope in Christ that they will have the boldness to Baha’i hearts are deceived by pretty rhetoric about passionately tell them about unity, worldwide love, and universal salvation. the Risen Savior. However, the Bible states that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man comes to the Father but through Him. Jesus is the only way, not one of the ways.ray that Baha’i hearts will be opened to see the truth of the Scriptures. Pray that these well-meaning people will be introduced to the only Anointed One.—PE

39 William Carey Library Featured book

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Replace with the ? cover PDF Editorial October 2013 Feature of the Month RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. Center for World Mission Dear Praying Friends, 1605 East Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 This month we are praying Tel: (330) 626-3361 for the Persian bloc which [email protected] means the people groups MANAGING EDITOR Keith Carey that speak a Persian based ASSISTANT EDITOR language. This does not Paula Fern mean that we are praying WRITERS only for Iran. Most of these Glenn Culbertson groups live in Iran, but you will also pray for some Patricia Depew groups that live in Afghanistan, Oman, and even Patti Ediger Wesley Kawato Russia. Though the Persians, also called “Iranians”, Arlene Knickerbocker will be prominent in this issue, they are not the only Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj Christopher Lane people group that speaks a Persian-based language. Annabeth Lewis Ted Proffitt Before you start your prayers, make sure you read Lydia Reynolds Justin Long’s piece about why the gospel is making Jeff Rockwell Jean Smith strong inroads into the Persian bloc. You will also Jane W. Sveska find that, perhaps, the best missionary for Christ in DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES Iran today could be the Ayatollah Khomeini. Do you Dave Dougherty, Director of Plans want to know why? Read his article and be thrilled. and Training, OMF Intl. Keith Carey, Managing Editor, GPD Hopefully you will be motivated to pray for Persian people for years to come. So get ready, get set, and CUSTOMER SERVICE Dan Eddy pray! GRAPHICS In Christ, Amanda Valloza PRINTER Keith Carey, managing editor, GPD Diversified Printers , La Mirada, CA

WEB SITE www.globalprayerdigest.org

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Contents of this booklet may be reproduced if appropriate credit and subscription information are given.

For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241.

46 Editorial Feature of the Month RECORDS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104-2721 Tel: (330) 626-3361 [email protected] Pray for a Strong Fellowship for Every MANAGING EDITOR Keith Carey People Group in the Persian Bloc ASSISTANT EDITOR Paula Fern

WRITERS Glenn Culbertson Patricia Depew Patti Ediger Wesley Kawato Arlene Knickerbocker Esther Jerome-Dharmaraj Christopher Lane Annabeth Lewis Ted Proffitt Lydia Reynolds Jeff Rockwell Jean Smith Jane W. Sveska DAILY BIBLE COMMENTARIES IRAN Dave Dougherty, Director of Plans and Training, OMF Intl. Keith Carey, Managing Editor, GPD

CUSTOMER SERVICE Dan Eddy

GRAPHICS Amanda Valloza

PRINTER Diversified Printers , La Mirada, CA Caspian TURKMEN. Sea WEB SITE www.globalprayerdigest.org

ISSN 1045-9731 Tehran AFGHANISTAN Contents of the Global Prayer Digest © 2013 U.S. Center for World Mission 1605 East Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104 IRAQ Contents of this booklet may be reproduced if appropriate credit and IRAN subscription information are given. Persian Gulf For subscription information, call (330) 626-3361. SAUDI For comments on content, call (626) 398-2241. ARABIA

47 To Help You Pray Better 48 and itisopeninguptothegospel. Revolution, butPersian culture markedly, changing iscurrently ethnic group marked andIran haveby beendeeply the1979 Islam, thistooisamistakewe must look beyond. The Persian nation intheBible. Althoughtoday we equateIran withShi’ite interesting culture, andPersia isthesecond mostmentioned the Iranian Persian people. The Persians have anancientand and anti-Western signs. of ourview skew These pictures deeply W Background The withthetheocratic laidupon restrictions young are frustrated of aslow,Iran isinthemiddle unraveling. cultural butcertain Distress and Unrest of distress andunrest among Iranians today. cities. twoThese trends signs of themassive are amount important 80 percent ethnic Persians) ofIranians (mostly live will inthe citiesinIran areOther alsogrowing rapidly. By2050, more than to beone oftheworld’s largest citieswithover 12million people. looking jobs. for Tehran people, isamagnetfor andithasgrown todoso. are toviolatesocialnorms and they willing Menare also to thecities. Women are andemployment, seekingeducation In addition, many Persians andheading are leavingthecountryside reverse thistrend, are failing. largely buttheirefforts atall. tomarry never choosing to The of government istrying Iran afamily. support can they donotbelieve they because Many are are they seekingotheropportunities. because later Menmarry Persians are laterinlife. getting married Women later get married had five ormorechildren. Today, lessthanathird do. Moreover, children. Persian abouthalfofall Inthelastcentury families beginwiththefact Persians thatmodern Let’s are havingfewer Smaller Families andUrbanization Revolution Iran’s Spiritual Simmering all seen on television--raging mobs, seenonall television--raging flags, burning images thatwe have to thinkofthestereotypical hen we thinkofIranians, tempted we are often To Help You Pray Better Iran’s Simmering Spiritual Revolution

them. They are pessimistic about the future due to the disintegration of the Iranian economy. Over three-quarters of Iran’s economy is directly under the control of the government through nationalized industries, as well as companies controlled by the Republican Guard and Islamic charities. They blame the government for high inflation, a decline in living standards, and nearly 30 percent unemployment. Persians are very angry and disillusioned with government leadership. Most would like to see change, but few are optimistic about the possibility. In addition to the economy, the office of the Supreme Leader directly controls the process by which political candidates are chosen, thus perpetuating its own power. The Republican Guards and basij paramilitary forces are used to ruthlessly suppress internal dissent. With little hope for a future in Iran, many Iranians are taking the extraordinarily difficult step of seeking asylum and life abroad. Destructive Vices: Drugs and Prostitution Those that remain often find themselves falling into the intractable structures of sin that are steadily destroying the nation. Iran is involved in drug-manufacturing, smuggling, and sex and drug trafficking. This nation suffers one of the worst drug addiction rates in the world. There are estimates of over three million Iranian drug addicts, many millions more with a “problem,” and over 130,000 new addicts per year. Pornography and prostitution are rampant, especially in the cities. According to estimates, there are probably 250 brothels and 84,000 prostitutes in Tehran alone. Many prostitutes are young women married to drug addict husbands who force them to work the streets. Divorce is becoming widespread; in 2010, one in every four marriages in Tehran ended in divorce. While many men are caught up in these soul-destroying patterns, women are breaking cultural norms and seeking more education and opportunities. After the 1979 Revolution, women lost many of the rights they had under the Pahlavi Regime. But in the years since the revolution, the government has been encouraging women to seek an education. Recently however, the government began reversing course because women have become more active in protesting the government and seeking even more opportunities. Tehran launched restrictions in 2013 on the education of women, along with a campaign advocating early marriage and larger families. The role of women in society is at a boiling point. Aspirations Fed By Technology Many of the aspirations and ideas of Iranians are being fed by the increasingly widespread availability of technology. Although illegal in many forms, many (especially the young) seek it out. Mobile phones are common, although closely continued on next page 49 To Help You Pray Better 50

Background totheRevolution, laborinIran prior missionary coupledwith If disgustisthespark, thefuelhasbeenmany of decades programs. TV Christian watching have after come tofaithinChrist secularized secularizing, abandoning the practice ofIslam. Those whohave islike.theocracy Many Persians are rejecting thiskindofIslamand Persians have seenfirsthandwhattheiron Islamic fistofa radical with fundamentalistIslamhassparked churchgrowth. modern surefor isthatthisnumbergrowing steadily. Popular disgust estimated inthehundreds ofthousands, thatwe andall know The numberof Persian Muslim-background hasbeen believers out ofIran.emigrating have they been because and theirnumbershave beendwindling Orthodox. are nominal Christians believers, MostoftheOrthodox orAssyrian beenArmenian inIran haveChristians usually among thePersians, andthetotal numberisuncertain. Historically, but thechurchendured. Today minority small are Christians avery in the7thcentury, inIran, citizens second-class became Christians the gospel east, asfarChina. perhaps thecoming ofIslam With conferences, andPersian were Christians among thosewhotook years ofthechurchIranian bishopsattendedinternational the early tothebook datingback ofActs. inIran hasahistory Christianity In inIran Christianity alotaboutfrom learn things they television. satellite the youth onthe thestreets idealize West. isone ofthe Christianity like. the While Tehran government battlesthe West initsrhetoric, more appreciative of Western valuesthanthegovernment would oftheworld,view the West. particularly The average Persian isfar Thus Persians andotherethnic groups in areIran gainingawider intheweb isamazing. gaining access toeverything block, andmonitor theweb, the resourcefulness ofIranians in inthecountryside.increasingly AlthoughIran attemptstocensor, programming. availableinthecitiesand isbroadly The Internet receiversmarket satellite for thatgive peopleaccess to Western understatecontrol,is theoretically butthere black isarampant monitored by thegovernment. Television broadcasting inIran To Help You Pray Better Iran’s Simmering Spiritual Revolution

increased evangelism in recent times. Bibles handed out decades ago and left forgotten on shelves are now being taken down and read. People remember stories they heard as youths; now, they hear them again on television. The labors of faithful men and women are now seeing their reward. The impact of the media aimed at Iran over the past decade should not be underestimated. Significant efforts in broadcasting and Bible distribution are bringing awareness and an understanding of Christ to millions. Tens of thousands have responded overtly, and perhaps hundreds of thousands are secret believers. We will probably not know the full extent of the spread of the gospel for decades. Recent martyrs have also had an impact. Although we weep for their deaths, we should know they did not die in vain. Of particular note were the martyrdoms of Bishop Haik Hovsepian and Rev. Mehdi Dibaj in the mid-1990s. Thousands of Muslim-background believers boldly attended their funerals. Persecution, arrest, and martyrdom have continued to show the hard side of Islam, and made Persians even more interested in this faith that people are willing to die for. Although many Christians in the West may have a “stereotypical” image of Persians, we should work hard to learn about Iran—this ancient, biblical land—and its people. Today Iranians are one of the Muslim people groups most open to the gospel. If the Church reaches out to Iranians now, the world might forever be changed. Thousands of Persian believers would certainly transform Iran.

Let’s Pray! • Pray for a full harvest of Muslim background believers in Iran. • Pray that the efforts of Iran’s government to Islamize their nation will com- pletely discredit Islam in the eyes of the common people. • Pray that the Holy Spirit will give a hunger for truth and righteousness to members of every Persian people group and will lead them to Jesus. • Pray that the Lord will use Persian believers to spread the Kingdom of God throughout Central Asia.

51 Day 1 Philippians 1:3-5 Missionary Biography, Jane Doolittle

I thank my God…because hortly after graduation from Wells College in of your partnership in the 1921, Jane Doolittle arrived in Tehran, alone gospel from the first day andS uncertain. Jane had come to Tehran to take the until now. place of another young woman who had expected to teach biology in a mission school. She felt sure Even on what she expected that this would only be a “short term” assignment. to be a short-term mission, She had signed the pledge at the Student Volunteer Jane needed many people Conference in Des Moines, stating she purposed to to partner with her ministry. become a foreign missionary. But it was Africa where she hoped to serve, and as a doctor. She had no plans There had to be people to to work as a schoolteacher in Tehran! Little did she fund her work, as well as realize that she would spend most of the next 58 those who would pray for years in Persia, now called Iran. her. Just like the Apostle Paul, Within days of arriving in Tehran, Miss Doolittle missionaries need others to faced her first class. She realized immediately that partner with them. When her students understood very little English, and she you partner with a missionary would have to make adjustments in her teaching. through prayer and finances, Toward the end of Jane’s three-year term of service, you become part of a team she became ill and was advised to return home in that the Lord uses to reach a 1924. In New York she made the rounds to various particular people group. specialists. She told them of her digestive problems. But what caused her the greatest discomfort were Pray that we will feel the severe back pains caused, the doctors said, by honored as we partner a “slipped disc.” They recommended orthopedic with missionaries in today’s surgery. Jane had not given up her dreams of world. Pray that instead of becoming a medical doctor, but now she had to face being concerned about our the fact that she simply did not have the energy that finances, we will walk in would be demanded of a doctor. faith when the Lord calls us to faithfully fund Pray for flexibility for today’s missionaries.—AL mission efforts.

52 Day 2 Missionary Biography, Continued 1 Timothy 4:12

hile recuperating from the surgery, Jane Don’t let anyone look down received an invitation to become the principal on you because you are Wof Iran Bethel, the school where she had taught. It young, but set an example was a tremendous honor, since she was only 25. In for the believers in speech, preparation, she started work towards a Master’s degree in life, in love, in faith, and in Educational Administration at Columbia University, in purity. and took a course in Bible. When she returned to Iran, Doolittle studied the It was a true blessing that Persian language and culture for a year before assuming Jane Doolittle was honored her responsibilities as principal at Iran Bethel. At as a teacher when she was this time, less than one percent of the population was only 25 years old. Despite her literate. There were practically no schools except for the young age and the fact she few small private institutions. was a woman in a Muslim Now, Miss Doolittle was ready. She had the education, country, Jane was able to a heart of love, and real compassion for the Iranians. perform her duties well. Most of the students who came to Iran Bethel were Muslims. When they registered they were told that it Notice how her example of was a Christian school and that they would study the “un-memorized, personal, Bible, attend daily chapel, and participate in Christian and informal prayer” was a prayers. Even so, the parents signed their agreement. good testimony to her Muslim Muslim students were intrigued by the fact that students and their families Christian prayers seemed un-memorized, very personal, of what it means to have a and rather informal. relationship with God. Will While Miss Doolittle was on furlough in 1931, the we give young workers in Reza Shah came into power. He issued a decree to today’s world the honor, and end the enrollment of Persian children in all primary schools run by foreigners. This meant that about three- responsibility to do what Jane fourths of the enrollment at mission schools would Doolittle did in the 1920s? be eliminated. In 1935 the name of the school was changed from “Iran Bethel” to “Nurbakhsh,” meaning Pray that young, “light-giving.” inexperienced missionaries in today’s world will rise to Pray for a Holy Spirit-led “light-giving” direction for the challenges they face. workers in Central Asia.—AL

53 Day 3 1 Timothy 6:20 Missionary Biography, Continued

Timothy, guard what has n 1938, the Iranian government nationalized been entrusted to your care. all foreign-run schools, paying for the property Ionly what it had originally cost instead of its Each of us has received appreciated value. With their schools gone, many of a trust from God; that is, the educational missionaries decided to leave. Jane a deposit of knowledge, Doolittle, however, felt she had been sent to Iran resources, and gifts. God to share Christ. That had not changed. With her expects us to exercise language skill and love for the people, surely there was something she could do. responsible stewardship of this trust, both to maintain Reviving her old interest in medicine, she opened it and to invest it so as to a clinic in her home, treating the poor women and children. She financed this work with the money accomplish His purposes. paid by the Ministry of Education for the school This is the essence of property, and it was known as the “Doolittle project.” stewardship: using resources By 1971, Jane had been in Persia for 50 years! At a to fulfill responsibilities. celebration in her honor, she was presented with a Jane Doolittle was a great gold medal by the Minister of Education, the highest example of a person who educational award ever given in Iran. used what God gave her to Then, in 1977 it seemed that history would repeat accomplish His purposes. itself: rumors stated that the Ministry of Health Pray that you will have would close all private clinics, including the Doolittle the faith to use what He Clinic. Hoping to avoid this, Miss Doolittle asked entrusted to you, so that you an Iranian doctor to take the clinic under his can serve Him well. Pray that jurisdiction, thus insuring its continuance. you will not succumb to the temptation to misuse God’s Jane Doolittle was in the U.S. in 1979 when the Ayatollah gifts for the wrong purposes. Khomeini returned to Iran and declared the country to be an Islamic Republic. Though Miss Doolittle longed to return to Iran, she was not permitted to do so—AL from “Is Love Lost? Mosaics in the Life of Jane Doolittle ‘Angel Mother’ in a Muslim Land,” by Elizabeth C. Kay Voorhees, William Carey Library, 1988.

54 Day 4 Persian People Galatians 5:6

ver the last few For in Christ Jesus decades Persians neither circumcision nor O(aka, Iranians) have been uncircumcision has any in a long war, lost loved value. The only thing that ones, had their businesses counts is faith expressing IRAN ruined, and seen their itself through love. places of worship desecrated. According In this passage, Paul stresses to one source (www. that it is not our “following justinlong.org/persia), the law” response that makes Caspian Iranians are growing TURKMEN. us acceptable to God, but our Sea increasingly discontented willingness to express our Tehran AFGHANISTAN with their Islamic government. Young people faith through love. You can IRAQ are turning from their see a stark contrast between IRAN Persian Gulf parents’ empty rituals Shi’ite Muslims who live by SAUDI and religious beliefs and the law, and believers who ARABIA seeking deeper spiritual demonstrate their faith in truth. Many are even God by sharing His love in turning to Jesus Christ! practical ways. Read today’s God said, “If my people who are called by my name, entry about how the gospel is will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and taking hold of Persian youths. turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from How does this verse fit in with heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Iran needs healing! Will you pray how the gospel has spread for this partially-harvested field? in Iran? Pray that Persian believers Pray for believers in Iran and believing Persians in every will express their faith other country to fall on their knees and seek the face of the through love, paving the God of the universe. God isn’t willing for any to perish. way for Persian Muslims to He wishes for every one of his creations to worship Him find Jesus. in spirit and in truth. Pray He will reveal Himself to Persians in visions and dreams. Pray for Persians in high places to come to faith in Jesus and to turn others to the Lord. Pray for those Iranians who hear Christian broad- casts to turn to the one true living God.—JWS

55 Day 5 1 Timothy 6:8 Tajik Speaking People

But if we have food and s he returned from clothing, we will be content grazing his cattle, with that. ABehruz invited strange glances from his friends Food and clothing: the list is and family in their small short when we tally the real hamlet tucked away in necessities of life. Even if we Tajik women the Pamir Mountain expand this list to include range in Afghanistan. Women stood at the entrances of their mud houses. shelter, health care, etc. the Pulling their shawls over their heads, they smiled and list is still much shorter than whispered to each other. The men yelled greetings to that of our monthly budget. Behruz, curiosity written in every greeting. The flock Today a bottleneck in frontier of sheep went ahead of Behruz. There was nothing mission expansion is due unusual about that; rural Tajik men are usually to a lack of funding for new herdsmen. It was the presence of a Western traveler ventures. Mission agencies that summoned such marvel and wonderment. are willing to lead. Young “Who is that?” yelled a man. “Someone I met on the people are willing to go. But way home,” replied Behruz. Unable to understand finances are not available. any of the exchange, the traveller smiled and waved. Why? Did God miscalculate “We can’t have him standing there like that,” said an elderly patriarch. “It’s time to cook a warm hearty the resources needed to meal to welcome this stranger.” A group of women accomplish His work? Or have rushed to their homes to prepare a delicious meal. those resources, committed to The ’ hospitality is legendary. No stranger has his stewards, been diverted to left their midst without first enjoying their warmth other uses? and kindness. This people group comprises one- Pray that we will be found quarter of Afghanistan’s population, and they are the faithful stewards of what He dominant people group in Tajikistan. The Tajiks are has given us. descended from the Persian people, and they were forcefully converted to Islam in the seventh century.

Pray that God would send out His ambassadors to share the gospel with the Tajik people. Pray for aid workers who can bring relief to this impoverished region of the world.—EJD

56 Day 6 Mazanderani Speaking People in Iran Galatians 6:9

amdi’s eyes were fixed on the buffaloes that Let us not become weary were grazing in the highlands of Iran, but his in doing good, for at the Hmind was hundreds of miles away. He wanted to go proper time we will reap a to the big city. “I do not want to keep living in these harvest if we do not give up. mountains,” he muttered. The last time he was in his uncle’s village he saw what appeared like drawings on Taking the gospel to a people a page. He asked his cousin what it was. “That’s Farsi. who have never heard it is Our language, Mazanderani, is similar, but Farsi has a demanding—physically, script, so people can read and write it.” Sitting alone in mentally, emotionally, and the pastures, Hamdi thought about how nice it would most of all spiritually. Yet the be to be able to write down all that crosses my mind. harvest comes only after years “Boy, watch out for that buffalo!” yelled Hamdi’s father, of sowing seed. Satan’s major pointing to an errant beast that was attempting to weapons—discouragement, climb a steep slope. Snapped out of his literary dream, Hamdi got up and ran after the buffalo. disunity, disease, and delay— are often aimed at those The Mazanderani people are an ethnic mix of Turkic who labor on the front lines tribes, , and Russian immigrants. They speak Mazanderani, a Persian-based language that of the advance of the gospel. remains unwritten. Agricultural reforms have greatly The apostle Paul needed the helped the Mazanderani people. However, some still prayers of the saints. How choose the nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors. They much more do the frontier are all Muslims, and the gospel eludes them. missionaries of today!

Pray that missionaries and language experts will soon Pray for those missionaries develop a script for the Mazanderani people so that this you know who are taking group can read about the true and living God in their the gospel to those who native tongue. Pray for their leaders to have dreams have never heard. Pray that and visions so that they will open their hearts to the they will not become weary Savior.—EJD in doing good.

57 Day 7 Matthew 7:13,14 Gilaki People of Iran

Enter through the narrow he Iranian man turned the silk over and over in gate. For wide is the gate his hands. “It is very fine,” he muttered, “very and broad is the road that fine.”T “Of course it is fine,” the salesman at the booth leads to destruction, and said with a smile. He then looked to his son. “Tell many enter through it. him, Atash.” “We are the Gilakis, and we make the finest silk in the world,” the boy said proudly. One of the fatal decisions The Iranian replied, “I have long heard about the that some Muslims make is quality of your silk. Now I see with my own eyes. to assume that if their good Please write a sales ticket, and start an account for deeds outweigh their bad me. Write down your address so that I can find you ones, than they will be saved. again when I return to Gilan Province on business.” The problem is that the The salesman’s smile disappeared. “Cash deals only,” Lord’s standard is absolute he said gruffly. “And no credit accounts.” The buyer sighed, and consented. They reached a deal. perfection, something that He alone can offer. The narrow The Gilaki people are farmers who grow rice, tea, gate means to depend solely tobacco, and raise silkworms. They are known for producing fine silk, glass, and soap. on Him to get you to heaven, and the wide gate means to However, many of the Gilaki people are illiterate. depend on your good deeds or They do not have a written language. Educated Gilaki speak and write Farsi. anything else.

Pray that the Muslim Gilaki Pray for translators to develop a written form of Gilaki people will seek and find the and for the Bible to be translated into this language. Pray narrow gate. Pray that this for the good news to reach the Gilaki people through radio, will be the time when many audio Bibles, and the JESUS Film. Ask the Lord to move from the Gilaki group will powerfully in drawing the members of this unreached enter the narrow gate. people group into relationship with Him through His Son.—CL

58 Day 8 Larestani People Romans 10:13

am not saying I do not believe,” Taher said Everyone who calls on quietly. “I am only saying I am not sure what I the Name of the Lord “Ibelieve.” “Blasphemy!” his father shouted, shaking will be saved. his head. “Do not say such things! You are Muslim. I Everyone! Everyone! We know am Muslim. My father was Muslim. Our family is from other parts of Scripture and has been Muslim for hundreds of years. I have taught you. You have been to mosque.” His voice that there will come a day trailed away and he stood scowling at his son. “Father,” when people from every tribe, Taher continued, “We have prayed to Allah. But think tongue, and nation (people about it. We are still poor. The farm still needs rain. group) will worship the Lord. Allah does not hear us. Why can’t we try something But, as Paul points out in other else? A friend told me about the Prophet Isa. What parts of Romans 10, they if we prayed to him?” “Silence!” his father demanded. can’t call on the Name of the “There will be no talk of Isa in this house!” Lord if they don’t know the The Larestani are a small people group of 108,000 Name. Today’s entry is about mostly in the Larestan area of Iran’s Fars Province. the Larestani people who They speak many different dialects of their language, and they are scattered across a vast region of Iran. lack what most others have in They do not share a language with the other people terms of Bible-based materials. groups of Iran. Neither do they share their religion. Pray that soon the Name of While most people in Iran are Shi’ite Muslims, the the Lord will be proclaimed Larestani are Sunnis. among the Larestani people in any way He wants. Pray Pray for Bible translation groups to make progress in pro- that this will be the time of viding the Larestani with God’s Word in their heart lan- their deliverance from sin guage. Pray for the Larestani to have the opportunity to and death. hear the gospel through Bible recordings. Pray for many of the Larestani to put their faith in Christ.—CL

59 Day 9 Galatians 1:15-16 Digor People of Russia

God, who set me apart hen one thinks of the Medeo-Persian Empire, … and called me by His one may think of Daniel or Cyrus the Great, grace, was pleased to WGod’s anointed ones (Daniel 6: 28, II Chronicles reveal His Son in me so 36:23, Isaiah 44:28). One does not usually think of that I might preach Him Russia as home to the Medeo-Persians. Yet today’s among the Gentiles. people, the Digor, a Medeo-Persian people, have been living in Asian Russia since at least the Middle Ages, Has it ever occurred to you if not earlier. Surprisingly they live well outside the that like Paul, you have lands that we usually associate with Persian peoples. been “set apart?” We are all Beginning in the 13th century A.D., the , part of the body of Christ, of which the Digors are a sub-group, came under so we have different gifts the influence of the Mongols. In 1784, Russian and assignments, but one colonization began. By then the Digors were Muslims. purpose: the extension of His According to Wikipedia, there are two districts of Kingdom. That assignment Digors: Digora (Christian) and Iraf (Muslim). These involves revealing His Son in 100,000 people speak the oldest form of the Ossetian languages. The Muslim Digors are among Asia’s various ways. To some this unreached and unengaged peoples. It is unclear if may involve feeding the poor, they have any gospel resources available to them to others it may involve, like it except in the . did with Paul, preaching Him among the Gentiles. Pray that the few Digor believers will witness to their Muslim kinsmen. Pray that gospel resources will be made Thank the Lord that you are available in the Digor language. Pray for a mission “set apart” to extend His agency to adopt these people and work among them until Kingdom! Thank Him that the Digor people are well represented in God’s Kingdom. today you can help extend Pray that they will be opened to the gospel through dreams, His Kingdom to the Digor visions, and gospel materials.—TP people through your prayers.

60 Day 10 Semnani People of Iran Colossians 4:3

ll of the Semnani tribesmen coughed at least And pray for us, too, that a little. Sickness was common during the cool God might open a door for Awinter months in the barren wastelands of northwestern our message. Iran. Often the people left their herds of sheep and goats in the pastures to pray at the mosque. But Allah We are often tempted to didn’t seem to be listening to their prayers. No one was bemoan closed doors— healed. Their village also had no school. Teachers were areas where the clear as rare as doctors in many Semnani villages. proclamation of the gospel Iran’s government has neglected the Semnani people. is prohibited or otherwise That’s why many villages of this people group lack greatly hindered. In a certain doctors and teachers. In most Semnani villages only sense closed doors are God’s the imam and a few village leaders can read and write. responsibility; but they may No one knows where the Semnani people group came be opened by the faithful, from or how they came to settle in northwestern believing prayer of God’s Iran. If this people group knows where they came people. Closed doors are of from, then they are certainly not telling that story to special concern to us because outsiders. Missionaries also neglected this Muslim people group, even before the 1979 revolution when so many of the unreached believers could operate openly in Iran. peoples are located in areas that are closed to the gospel. Ask God to send faithful workers to heal the sick and teach We know that it is God’s children how to read and write. Such activities would open will that these peoples hear doors for the message of salvation through Christ. Pray that and respond to His offer of God will soon change the laws in Iran, so that believers can life in Christ Jesus. We must once again operate openly. Ask God to break the hold that remember that we face doors, Islam has on this people group, and give them a hunger for not walls, and that they are truth and righteousness.—WK only closed—not bolted, locked, or jammed.

Pray that the Lord will open doors for the clear proclamation of His truth among the unreached and unengaged Semnani people.

61 Day 11 Ephesians 2:13 Khunsari People in Iran

But now in Christ Jesus you addy, why can’t I go to school?” asked the who once were far away boy in the Khunsari village in northwestern have been brought near Iran.“D Irritated, the father shot back, “How can you go through the blood of Christ. to school if there are no schools? Do you see a school in this village?” It is all too common for those Most people, including the father, are illiterate in who are “far away” in a their own language as well as Farsi, Iran’s trade physical sense to also be “far language. In most Khunsari villages only the imam away” from Christ, because and a few village leaders can read and write. Every there is no one to tell them Friday the village imam reads sections of the Qur’an about the true and living to the people who are attending the mosque. God. What will it take to The Khunsari people live in northwestern Iran, reach people groups like the a region which is neglected by their government. Khunsaris who live in remote There are few doctors or teachers, and most of the areas? Though there are a inhabitants are sheep and goat herders. number of obstacles, one of Few missionaries have ever visited the Khunsari them is an unwillingness on people group. This was true even before the the part of Christ’s followers revolution of 1979 closed Iran to outreach. They do not have a Bible in their language, and no mission to live in remote areas. We agency is trying to reach them, according the Joshua who experience so much of Project web site. Even today few outsiders visit this God’s goodness and grace remote region. must never forget that there are about 7,000-8,000 people Ask God to raise up faithful workers to translate the Bible groups in the world who still into the Khunsari language and teach them how to read. wait for us to come and share Pray for Christian doctors to heal the sick and Christian the gospel. teachers to instruct the young. Pray that these believers will walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit.—WK Pray that the Lord will move Christ’s followers, churches, and mission agencies to unite in bringing the good news to those who are far off.

62 Day 12 Vafsi People of Iran Philippians 1:21

group of missionaries in North America sat at a For me, to live is Christ and long wooden table and listened to an old reel- to die is gain. Ato-reel tape recorder play in a language they were just starting to learn. After a long time the tape recording What a testimony, what an ended with an abrupt click followed by the slap, slap inspiration! The apostle Paul sound of the end of the tape hitting the tape recorder. may have been thinking of Someone turned the machine off. A middle-aged Jesus’ words, “The Son of man who led the mission group gazed at the others Man came … to minister seated at the table and said, “Those were 24 folk tales and to give His life a ransom in the Vafsi language which were recorded in 1958. This is the only known recording of their language.” for many.” In a way a pioneer A woman seated across the table from him muttered, missionary gives his life as “God help us. We need to create a written script for a ransom for the people Vafsi. That’s the only way we can begin translating the to whom he is sent. His Bible into their language.” ambition is to bring the good Almost all Vafsi people are Muslim, and there are no news so that people yet in known followers of Jesus Christ among them. Few darkness can experience Vafsi villages have had visitors since the days when God’s salvation. What is those recordings were made 55 years ago. your ambition? What is the surpassing goal of your life? Is Pray that a mission agency will target the Vafsi people for it the same as Christ’s or are outreach. Ask God to raise up faithful workers to create a written script for Vafsi so that the work of Bible transla- you focused on lesser things? tion can begin. Pray also for open doors. Ask God to show Pray that Jesus will give this people group that trusting Jesus Christ, not obeying the all of us a new vision of laws of the Qur’an, is the true source of salvation.—WK Himself in all His beauty and holiness. Pray that He will fill us with a passion for His glory to come to the Vafsis and other unreached peoples in the Persian bloc.

63 Day 13 Hebrews 1:3 Pray for Muslims on the Pilgrimage (First Day)

The Son is the radiance of he Hajj is the pinnacle of religious worship God’s glory and the exact in the lives of Muslims. If they are able, they representation of his being, areT commanded to make a Hajj at least once in sustaining all things by his their lifetime. Because the Islamic calendar is based powerful word. After he had on the moon’s cycle, the dates of the Hajj change provided purification for sins, each year. During these days millions of Muslims from all over the world will flock to Mecca, Saudi he sat down at the right hand Arabia, to perform sacred acts and follow the steps of of the Majesty in heaven. Mohammed, their prophet. This year, the Hajj will start on October 13 and last for three or four days. Christ did not enter into the Pilgrims must enter into the state of Ihram (cleansing presence of God by means of or washing, and wearing white). The white clothing the blood of goats and calves; is a sign showing that all pilgrims are equal in Islam. but he entered the Most Holy Once this cleansing is finished, pilgrims are officially Place once and for all by His on the Hajj. As they cross the pilgrimage boundary, the men will shout a Muslim prayer. “Here I am at own blood, thus obtaining Thy service O Lord, … Thine alone is All Praise and eternal redemption. In the All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. …” Old Testament the blood The first day is a day of cleansing, and visiting the of goats and bulls and the Ka’aba in the Grand Mosque. Leaving the Grand ashes of a heifer sprinkled on Mosque, many pilgrims will walk to the tent city of those who were ceremonially Mina where they will spend the night. unclean sanctified them so that they were outwardly Pray for physical safety and protection from disease. Pray clean. How much more, for their spiritual journey to include dreams and visions then, will the blood of Christ, of Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact rep- who through the eternal Spirit resentation of God. Pray that devout Muslim pilgrims would soon hear and learn that only Jesus provides puri- offered himself unblemished fication for sins. to God, cleanse us from sinful acts that lead to eternal death, so that we may serve the living God!

64 Day 14 Pray for Muslims on the Hajj Continued (second day) Matthew 5:6

oday is the most important day of the Hajj. Blessed are those who Muslim scholars say this is the day the religion hunger and thirst for Tof Islam was perfected. The Hajj only becomes valid righteousness, for they will when the day of Arafat is observed. For Muslims it is be filled. on this day where they believe their major and minor It takes tremendous dedication sins are forgiven. If they miss this day they have and faith for a Muslim to missed the whole Hajj. Today, they will invoke Allah for mercy and forgiveness as they stand or sit near go on the Hajj. One must Mount Arafat all day. be willing to spend a lot of time, money, and emotional Muslims believe that as they finish this day they are cleansed of sin, which also brings freedom from energy to do what they are shame. At sunset a cannon sounds, and pilgrims leave doing. The problem is that Mount Arafat. They will go to Muzdalifah, where their dedication and their faith they sleep or stay up all night under the stars, picking are misplaced. Instead of being up stones as they go. dedicated and faithful to the Living Savior, they are putting Pray that as Muslims complete this day, they would con- their hope and faith in rituals tinue longing for the cleansing that they can only receive and pilgrimages. Yet many through Christ. Let them ask the Father to show them how to make this cleansing a reality in their lives. Everyone among them are true seekers who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ receives forgiveness of of truth and righteousness. sins. Pray that the truth of the Lord Jesus’ life, death, and They must be told about Jesus resurrection would penetrate the hearts of longing Muslims. Christ and how He can wash As many Muslims seek to stay up all night to pray, ask God away their sins. Then, perhaps, to touch the hearts of those who are genuinely seeking an they can find the true and encounter with Him. living God during the Hajj. Let’s pray that they do!

Pray that they will be satisfied by the person of Jesus Christ, the only One who can purify them from sin. Pray that they will not be satisfied with rituals and religion.

65 Day 15 John 1:29 Pray for Muslims on the Hajj Continued (Third day)

The next day John saw ay three is the longest day for the pilgrims; for Jesus coming toward him some weaker folk it might take two days; their and said, “Look, the Lamb Dpilgrimage is not finished until they complete all of of God, who takes away the the sacred acts. sin of the world!” Each person has five different sacred acts to perform today. They will throw rocks at stone pillars that Muslim pilgrims long for their represent Satan. Men will shave their heads as an act major and minor sins to be of humility and cleanliness. They will sacrifice an removed from their lives, and animal. They will circle seven times around the Ka’aba they seek forgiveness during and run between the two hills of Safa and Marwa as the Hajj. John the Baptist’s religious rituals. words cry out that Jesus takes Ephesians 6:12 states, “For our struggle is not against away the sins of the world. flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of Though Muslims accept John evil in the heavenly realms.” Muslims understand that as a prophet, they do not Satan is the cause of our spiritual battle, but throwing accept the fact that what he rocks at pillars is meaningless apart from the cross and resurrection of Christ which defeated Satan. said was true, namely that the blood of Jesus Christ takes Pray that these deeply religious people would see that only away the sins of the world. Jesus defeated sin, Satan, and death. May they know that in Christ, they can have mighty weapons,“ for the Pray that even as Muslims tearing down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4). Pray complete this day, they will that Muslims will understand the meaning of the cross long for the cleansing blood and blood sacrifice of Jesus. As Muslims circle the Ka’aba of the Lamb. Ask that the and run from hill to hill, ask that they will see the futil- Father would make this ity of these acts in producing a cleansed heart. Pray that cleansing a reality in Muslims from all the different people groups in the world their lives. will come to know Jesus. Pray that whole families would come to know the Savior and walk with Him together.

(Excerpts taken from “Hajj Prayer.” It has no copyright; it is distributed freely by Praying Through the Arabian Peninsula at: pray-ap.info)

66 UZBEKISTAN

TURKMENISTAN

AFGHANISTAN IRAN

PAKISTAN

Day 16 Qizilbash People of Afghanistan 1 Timothy 1:15

UZBEKISTAN he little boy Here is a trustworthy strained to hear and saying that deserves full Tunderstand the serious acceptance: Christ Jesus discussion of the older came into the world to Qizilbash men. They AFGHANISTAN save sinners. IRAN recounted their ancestors who were called the “Red Why did Jesus come? Over PAKISTAN Heads” because of their and over again the gospel red hats with 12 points record clearly says that representing the 12 pillars TAJIKISTAN of Islam. They were Jesus came into the world famous for their military with one central purpose: AFGHANISTAN feats. Contemporary Red to minister and to give His Kabul Heads no longer typically life as a ransom for all who don the red hats, but they Kandahar would accept Him. He did not IRAN remain militant Shi’ite come for the religious or the PAKISTAN Muslims. It was clear to (self) righteous, but for those the boy that the men were passionately committed to who were and are aware of their secret meetings and their leader. their own spiritual need. The temptation for people groups The Qizilbash people of Afghanistan originated as Turkish tribes that moved into Persia during a 1738 like the Qizilbash is to think military campaign by their shah. They’ve remained an that because they follow important part of Afghani society, being influential in rules, do rituals and carry politics and the military. Today they are also prominent out sacrifices, they will be in business. Although little is known about their life, saved. They are standing on a they do populate the urban areas of Afghanistan. Many foundation of quicksand. of the 60,000 to 200,000 Qizilbash are bilingual, speaking a tribal language and Farsi. Bible resources Pray that the Qizilbash are available to them, including a complete translation people will recognize their of the Bible, as well as the JESUS Film. They were error and find the One who “adopted” for prayer by a group of believers, but they offers a sure foundation. have yet to be contacted by Christ’s followers. None of them are believers so far as we know. Pray that He will reveal to them the truth about who He is and how He has provided the ultimate protection through Jesus.—LR

67 Day 17 1 Timothy 2:3-4 Dari Gobri People

This is good, and pleases hhhh!” The moans of his sick wife haunted God our Savior, who wants the shepherd who twisted his beard hairs all men to be saved and to “Anervously. No health facility was anywhere near his come to a knowledge of village. He had already watched three children die. the truth. The moans burst from his memory and exploded out of his mouth. He could not watch his wife die too! Throughout human history, “Oh, Ahura Mazda. I know I will see my dead family people have tried to approach again at the resurrection, but please spare my bride God and the spiritual realm today. Hurry and send our savior!” in various ways. Each tries to The Dari Gobri of Iran have been Zoroastrians for figure out what they consider many centuries. A small tribe of only about 14,000 to be truth. However, without people, they represent most of Iran’s Zoroastrians. In hearing about the real Truth, a country filled almost entirely with Shi’ite Muslims, they are an oppressed minority. They believe in a good Jesus Christ, they can only creator god, Ahura Mazda, and an evil god named find emptiness. Sometimes Agra Mainyu. They believe that at the final days a they are very far from the savior figure will come and restore the earth, bringing truth, and others, like the people out of hell to unite with Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians we are praying Little is known about the Dari Gobri people except for today, have found some that they are shepherds in a desolate land. Their important spiritual truths. typical life span is short as they are without health Did you know that the services; their children are often discouraged from Zoroastrians were among the going to school. They have no JESUS Film or any first of the organized religions Bible translation. There are no believers among them, and there is no focused outreach to them. to worship one God, a God of goodness? Today there are Pray that believers’ hearts are moved to reach out to the very few Zoroastrians left. Dari Gobri. Pray that the Dari Gobri people will im- Through the centuries they mediately recognize Christ as their promised savior when have worshipped a God of they are told about Him—LR goodness, but they have never known Him.

Pray for the Zoroastrians to seek and find Christ so they can know Him.

68 Day 18 Youth in Iran 2 Timothy 2:2

o jobs, no spouse, and no political voice— And the things you have these are the raw ingredients of youth heard me say in the frustration,”“N according to Elam whose mission is presence of many witnesses to strengthen and expand the church in Iran and entrust to reliable men who beyond. Young people between the ages of 15 and will also be qualified to 29 make up 35 percent of Iran’s population, and 70 teach others. percent of them are unemployed! The problem is not a lack of education. Iran’s youth This principle of personal are well educated and Internet savvy. With just a few multiplication is the clicks they can see what their peers in other countries key means of creating a are enjoying. With no jobs, most can’t marry or movement. Paul intended leave home. Their frustration is often manifested in that church planters should be politically motivated violence, drug use, and illicit sex. trained through the principle When no future beckons, the young often decide to of personal multiplication. extract as much pleasure as possible from the present. As Paul trained Timothy But there is another choice, and many are turning to establish new churches, to Jesus Christ. They are disillusioned with their Timothy was to equip others religious system and the empty promises of religious to do the same. The same leaders. Jesus promises to meet their basic needs, give them inner freedom, and something to live for. The situation continues today in churches are growing, and many of the newcomers Iran. There faithful witnesses are young, some of whom have grown so swiftly in are usually in their 20s, and their faith that they are already leading fellowships they, like young Timothy, are of people in their 20s and planting churches. sharing Christ with others! Pray that the current church planting movement among Iran’s youth will affect all people groups in their nation. Pray for physical and Pray that the Holy Spirit will spiritual protection for believers in a society where it is deemed both empower reliable Iranians criminal and traitorous to be a follower of Jesus Christ.—JS to share their faith for generations to come. See: (http://www.elam.com/articles/Youth-Frustration-/)

69 Day 19 Hebrews 6:19-20 Drug Abuse in Iran

We have this hope as an rustration and anchor for the soul, firm discontent with and secure. It enters the Ftheir restricted lives inner sanctuary behind the and opportunities curtain, where Jesus, who in Iran has led many went before us, has entered youths out of drug abuse. Millions on our behalf. are addicted, and When you look at someone most families are addicted to drugs, you are affected. Heroin from looking at someone who has neighboring Afghanistan is often trafficked through Iran. This dangerous drug is cheap and available to lost hope. Think for a few people who have lost hope. minutes about the hope Christ has given us. He has liberated However, this tragic drug epidemic has become a major opportunity for the people to offer hope us from the one who comes in Christ. When it comes to drug rehabilitation, to kill, steal, and destroy, and followers of Christ do it best, and their success rate He has given us an abundant is higher than any other. Many stories attest to this. life (John 10:10). He has freed High on drugs, Khalil stood over his wife ready to us from guilt and forgiven us plunge a knife into her heart. The cries of their children from all sin; past, present, and stopped him. Conventional drug rehabilitation did not future. The one thing a drug work, but when some of his relatives who had begun to addict needs is the faith that follow Christ fasted and prayed for him and shared the this is true. gospel, Khalil accepted the Savior and has not touched drugs since. He is now a church planter. Pray for the Holy Spirit to A complete stranger came up to Ali, a heroin addict give faith to drug users in crying over his brother’s overdose, and told him God Iran that Christ offers true loved him and gave him a New Testament. Trusting and lasting hope. Jesus, Ali believed and was delivered from his own drug addiction.

Pray for Christ-based drug rehabilitation efforts in Iran to have such success that they will draw not only the patients, but also their families to Christ, generating a rapid-fire church planting movement.—JS See: (http://www.elam.com/articles The-curse-of-drug-addiction-in-Iran/) 70 Day 20 Temporary Marriage in Iran Galatians 4:7,8

was a prostitute, but Jesus told me I belong to So you are no longer a slave, Him forever.” Jaleh’s story was not an unusual but a son…. Formerly, one“I in Iran. Sexually abused by her father and other when you did not know relatives, she was driven to the streets as a prostitute. God, you were slaves to Someone reached out to Jaleh and led her to Christ. those who by nature are Attending a Christian conference for women, Jaleh not gods. still was bearing the shame of her past and yearned to fully serve her Savior Jesus. After repeated prayers Those who are in bondage by her leader, Jaleh did speak out to the ladies telling to drugs, prostitution, or any them of her experience and how Jesus told her, “Were other sin are indeed slaves you about to give up? Did you know that I am your to sin. But as Jaleh learned, friend? I love you! You are mine!” she did not have to be bound Women feel devalued in Iran’s culture. A man can as a slave—she could be a have four wives and as many temporary ones, sigheh daughter of the King! What a wives, as he wants—whether for an hour or for years joy it is for people to give as long as they agree on a price. In other cultures this is called prostitution. In 1990, this practice of sigheh up their position as a slave was even encouraged by then President Hashem to become part of the Rafsanjani as a way of providing support for war royal family! widows and sexual release for young people who could not afford to marry permanently. Pray that women in Iran will hear and respond to the One Silence about sigheh is not an option for the growing who offers them to become house church movement where many members are part of His family. Pray women. As the church grows in Iran, the sin of sigheh that Iranian women who is being purged. know the King will walk as princesses instead of as Pray for the legal position of women in Iran to improve. slaves, and that their new Pray for Iranian Muslims to understand and embrace the status will draw others to dignity and worth that Jesus Christ gives women.—JS Him as well.

See: (http://www.elam.com/articles/ Temporary-Marriage-/)

71 Day 21 Colossians 1:5-6 Elam Ministries

...the gospel ... has come to ran may be a closed land, but the people have you. All over the world this open hearts. Since the Islamic revolution in 1979 gospel is producing fruit IIranians have become increasingly disillusioned and growing. with Islam. Some think Iranians are the most open Muslim people to the gospel in the world. More have What a confirmation that the become followers of Christ since the 1979 revolution power of the gospel does not than in the previous 1,300 years put together! lie in human ingenuity. The Senior Iranian church leaders founded Elam in 1988 gospel only spreads through with a vision to serve the growing churches in their the power of the Holy Spirit! region. In 1990 six emerging leaders arrived in England What a thrill to know that from Iran to begin their fulltime ministry training. the gospel continues to bear In 1979 there were fewer than 500 known believers fruit throughout the world! As in Iran. Today no one knows how many there are, mentioned in today’s prayer but some estimate millions. Elam’s vision is that all entry, the gospel has never people of Iran would have the opportunity to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Their goals are three- before spread so rapidly in fold: train leaders, equip churches with resources, Iran. Where will the gospel and send leaders and workers to strengthen existing go next? Could it soon go to churches and plant new ones. There is such spiritual where you are praying for hunger and disillusionment with the Islamic regime receptive hearts? that church leaders believe that millions can be added to the church in just the next few years. The Pray that believers in the Holy Spirit is truly at work preparing hearts to Persian bloc will overcome recognize the truth when they hear the gospel! the difficulties they face in moving out to share Christ Pray that the spiritual cries of the people of Iran will be with peoples who have never heard, and that the Holy Spirit will touch every broken heard the gospel. life. Pray that no matter what obstacles they face, Elam will continue to be faithful in proclaiming the gospel in Iran.—JS

See: (http://www.elam.com/articles/About-Elam/)

72 Day 22 Exodus From Darkness 2 Timothy 1:7

alking from a For God did not give us a darkened room into spirit of timidity, but a spirit Wthe light has a couple of of power, of love, and of effects: Initially, you are self-discipline. blinded and a little unsure of your step. But then your Today we are praying for a sight adjusts, and you are ministry established by a man able to move forward as who once was not “timid” the light guides your way. in his enthusiasm for Shi’ite This describes the spiritual Islam. His boldness was journey and experience of not tempered by the power Daniel Shayesteh who came from darkness into the of the Holy Spirit, the One light of the gospel. Prior to meeting Jesus, Daniel was who provides love and self- an active Muslim militant in his homeland of Iran who supported Ayatollah Khomeini’s rise to power. discipline. But now that he is Later Daniel fell out of favor with the new Shi’ite an ambassador for Christ, he leaders, was forced into exile in Turkey, and there operates in a new boldness, began a journey to faith in Christ. one that is directed by the In 2000 Daniel Shayesteh founded Exodus From Holy Spirit. People in this part Darkness as an apologetic ministry answering honest of the world will see spiritual questions about Christianity. His desire the difference. is to help others understand Christ’s teachings. He also hopes to help Westerners better understand the Pray for workers in the issues Muslims have in regard to the person of Jesus Persian bloc to be directed by Christ, and he wants to help Muslims see that Jesus the boldness, love, and self- is the true Savior. The Exodus From Darkness staff discipline provided by the work as defenders of the faith for those who seek Holy Spirit. understanding and truth.

Thank God that Exodus From Darkness is bringing light where it is seriously needed! Pray that Exodus From Darkness workers will experience God’s favor in reaching those who have honest spiritual questions. Pray that their influence will expand. Pray that their work will be clearly heard and embraced throughout the Persian World.—JR

73 Day 23 2 Thessalonians 1:3 Nayini People of Iran

We ought always to thank he people walking in darkness have seen a God for you, brothers, and great light; on those living in the land of deep “Tdarkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2, NIV rightly so, because your faith is growing more and The 6700 Nayini people of Iran are part of the larger more, and the love every Persian people cluster. Their home has been in central one of you has for each Iran for their entire history. They have their own other is increasing. language, Nayini, which they have continued using even while their neighbors speak Farsi. They have held The Apostle Paul was onto their uniqueness as a people through the centuries. deeply thankful for the But they do share Shi’ite Islam with the other people Thessalonians, especially groups of Iran. For centuries the Nayini people have for their faith in the Lord been devoted to Shi’ite Islam. There are no known Jesus Christ. It certainly followers of Christ among them, nor does there brings great blessings appear to be any effort on the part of the Church to and joy after many years reach them. According to PeopleGroups.org, there are no Bible translations, radio broadcasts, or gospel on the mission field for a recordings of any sort available in the language of the missionary to see his children Nayini people. They are, without doubt, a people in walk in the light they have great spiritual darkness who still have yet to see God’s received. It signifies that the great light. missionary’s labor in the Lord has not been in vain. Such Pray that the Nayini will come to see a great light, the a testimony is also a great light that only the truth of the gospel can supply. Pray that blessing to those who first believers within Iran will begin to have the opportunity to connect with the Nayini people. Pray that churches across planted the seed, for they the world will have a burden for the Nayini that will re- recognize that it is God sult in ongoing, faithful prayer for them.—JR who works to produce lasting fruit.

Praise the Father for those He has brought into His Kingdom through the labors of His faithful servants.

74 Day 24 Northwestern Fars People of Iran Philippians 2:10 he people walking in darkness have seen a hat a misnomer! Northwestern Fars sounds …that at the Name of great light; on those living in the land of deep like the name of a province or a language. But Jesus every knee should “Tdarkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2, NIV today,W we will be praying for a people group in Iran bow, in heaven and on The 6700 Nayini people of Iran are part of the larger by that name. They live in the northwestern part of earth and under the earth, Persian people cluster. Their home has been in central a province in the south-central part of Iran. Is that and every tongue confess Iran for their entire history. They have their own confusing enough? The lack of information about this that Jesus Christ is Lord, to language, Nayini, which they have continued using group makes praying for them a challenge. But we do the glory of God the Father. even while their neighbors speak Farsi. They have held know where they live and that their population is just onto their uniqueness as a people through the centuries. under 8,000. They are Muslims. One day all creatures will But they do share Shi’ite Islam with the other people From what we read on the Joshua Project web site, bow and acknowledge the groups of Iran. For centuries the Nayini people have there are somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 universal lordship of Jesus been devoted to Shi’ite Islam. There are no known unreached people groups in the world today. Christ. Scripture teaches that followers of Christ among them, nor does there Approximately 3,000 of these groups have no there are two kinds of people appear to be any effort on the part of the Church to active witness for Christ. It is a safe bet that the who bow to acknowledge Him: reach them. According to PeopleGroups.org, there Northwestern Fars people fall into this category, those who do so now in loving are no Bible translations, radio broadcasts, or gospel which we call “unengaged.” The Global Prayer submission to His rule in their recordings of any sort available in the language of the Digest (GPD) has been around for over 30 years, Nayini people. They are, without doubt, a people in and we have never prayed for this people group lives; and those who will do so great spiritual darkness who still have yet to see God’s until today. Hopefully others have prayed for them at Christ’s coming in fearful and great light. in the past when they have seen their name listed obligatory submission. on the Ethnologue (http://www.ethnologue.com/ Pray that soon He will Pray that the Nayini will come to see a great light, the language/faz) or with the Joshua Project (http://www. send someone to proclaim light that only the truth of the gospel can supply. Pray that joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php). Hopefully, the gospel of His Kingdom believers within Iran will begin to have the opportunity to Iranian believers are reaching out to them, but there is to the Northwestern Fars connect with the Nayini people. Pray that churches across no way for us to find out. speakers during this the world will have a burden for the Nayini that will re- acceptable day of salvation. sult in ongoing, faithful prayer for them.—JR Pray that this people group, which is largely unknown to the believing community, will soon be the object of regular, Pray that He will lead us to sustained prayer. Pray that followers of Christ in Iran will do our part in telling others make a determined effort to ensure that the Northwestern about the wonderful God Fars people have the chance to dedicate their lives to the who loves them. kingdom of God.—KC

75 UZBEKISTAN

TURKMENISTAN

AFGHANISTAN IRAN

PAKISTAN

Day 25 Ephesians 5:15-18 Warduji People of Afghanistan

Be very careful, UZBEKISTAN hat comes to mind when you then, how you live… TURKMENISTAN making the most of thinkW of Afghanistan? It might be a number of every opportunity… things, but it’s not likely understand what the AFGHANISTAN to be the Warduji people. Lord’s will is…be filled IRAN There are numerous with the Spirit. PAKISTAN unreached people groups The Spirit-controlled life in this Islamic country. is characterized by an We have prayed for TAJIKISTAN unreached peoples in that appreciation for both the country time and again, enormity of the task of world AFGHANISTAN but we have never had evangelization and the Kabul much information about sufficiency of the resources the Warduji people. Kandahar available to accomplish the IRAN This we do know: PAKISTAN task. Christ commands us to These 7,000 people have a purpose for living, not speak Zebaki, and to haphazardly slip and slide they are Muslims. They do not have an online New through life in ignorance Testament or a JESUS Film, but there are gospel or neglect of the purposes recordings available in their language. Living in a war-torn Muslim country, they are very unlikely for which we have been to meet followers of Christ. There are no known redeemed and equipped. believers among them as per the Joshua Project office Pray that God will enable (joshuaproject.org). you to live a purposeful and This we also know: in light of Revelation 7:9-10, there significant life. Ask Him to will be some people from every tribe, tongue, and teach you how to intercede nation worshiping before the throne. The Warduji for the Warduji people so people will not be left out of this great assembly! that you can be part of the task of declaring His Name Pray that gospel recordings will find their way into every to them. Warduji community. Pray that their leaders will be fa- vorably disposed to the message of salvation by faith in the Risen King. Pray for medical workers who love the Lord to go to the Warduji people of Afghanistan.—KC

76 Day 26 Luwathiya People 1 Thessalonians 2:9

ointing to some Surely you remember, beautiful old Islamic brothers, our toil and Pstructures in Muscat, hardship; we worked night Oman, an American and day in order not to be businessman asked his a burden to anyone while Omani host, Sheikh Abu, we preached the gospel of “what kind of buildings God to you. are these?” The Sheikh answered, “That is the Paul made tents to support BAHRAIN center of my Luwathiya himself and his team in their QATAR community. It is largely off- first-century ministry of limits to non-Shi’ites who U.A.E. church-planting throughout traditionally are allowed to SAUDI the northern Mediterranean ARABIA OMAN enter the area by invitation only. You are my guest, world. Today, modern and we will be going inside tentmakers are working in for coffee. Very few of our countries across the globe families live there, but the with a vision of establishing area is the community’s indigenous churches among gathering place where ‘Shi’ites can be Shi’ites.’” peoples with no vital The 60,000 Luwathiya are well-integrated into Oman and Christian witness. play an influential role in Oman’s economy and politics. The majority of the Luwathiya people are affluent businessmen Pray that today’s and respected merchants. They worship in their own “tentmakers” will not only mosques and meet regularly to study and discuss elements be successful in their secular of Shi’ite theology, history, and law. An important function endeavors, but that they in their society is the selection of committees to take care will leave behind them of issues such as marriages, divorces, selection of imams, growing, evangelizing building mosques, charities and other community affairs. churches. These Luwathiya Shi’ites are friendly, but reserved among outsiders. One thing they will not discuss with outsiders is religion. Some Luwathiya families have hired foreign Christian workers as domestic helpers.

Pray that God will remove the multiple restraints that are preventing these Shi’ite Muslims from knowing Christ and His saving grace, love, and guidance.—PD

77 Day 27 2 Timothy 2:3 Pahlavani People of Afghanistan

Endure hardship with us verything is gone! I’ve lost my home, crops, like a good soldier of livestock, everything! We could do nothing; Christ Jesus. “Ethe flood was too strong for us. We had a drought for Enduring hardships—this is many years, and I could hardly feed my family. I have six children, and they are all sick. Now this! Why is not what we want to do. Our Allah so mad at us to make us suffer like this?” flesh cries out for deliverance. But how do we minister Hossein, a Pahlavani farmer, was frantic as he talked to those who are enduring through a translator to an Afghan soldier who had come to help the people of his village of Haji Hamza hardships if we ourselves are in Afghanistan. not willing to share in them? The Pahlavani-speaking people of Afghanistan only Pray that those who minister number about 3,300. They struggle to make a living to those who are suffering mainly through farming. Natural disasters such as like the Pahlavani people droughts, floods, and earthquakes have recently will endure their hardships devastated the southwestern Afghan province of with joy, as good soldiers of Nimruz where their village is located. Only a tiny the cross. number of Pahlavani have received any form of education, leaving the majority illiterate. These people have no Christ-centered resources—no audio or printed Bibles, and no radio broadcasts or JESUS Films. There are no evangelists. As Shi’ite Muslims, they view God as a distant Creator who is impersonal and separated from them. They do not have the comfort of receiving His love and caring because they have no knowledge of Him through His Word. Added to this are the extreme problems of the language, religious, and political barriers.

Pray that Christ will reveal Himself to the Pahlavani people by sending believers to tell them about the good news that Christ died for their sins.—PD

78 Day 28 Shahmirzadi People of Iran Philippians 4:19

ow, this is delicious!” Habibeh, a woman And my God will meet all from Tehran, was enjoying fresh bread your needs according to “Wand walnut jam served by her new Shahmirzadi His glorious riches in friend Shadee during her visit to Shahmirzad, a town Christ Jesus. in northern Iran. “I could never make anything as tasty as this!” Shadee answered, “Allah has created We have often quoted and everyone differently, and in the way of producing remembered this precious delicious food. He provides for people like me. I love promise in relation to our my garden, cooking, and the beauty of Shahmirzad. It own physical and material is like Paradise here! The sweetness of this place is like needs. But how often nowhere else in Iran. I’m so happy you came here this have we remembered summer, and we have met.” that these wonderful Habibeh replied, “I will never forget this visit. I’ll always words were first spoken remember the beautiful walnut trees and the rushing to those who had given streams of water flowing past my window. All of this is so different from the noise and turmoil in Tehran.” sacrificially that others might experience the blessings Shahmirzadis are a warm people who are proud of of the gospel of Christ? their culture and their beautiful town of Shahmirzad. Most earn their living from farming and cultivating (See II Corinthians 8:1-2.) walnuts. Their walnut orchards are the largest in May God grant that we the world. Their fresh water is bottled and exported. would exhibit the same Iranians love to spend their summers in the region, spirit of sacrifice and joy in which contributes to the local economy. It is almost sharing the good news we impossible for believers to witness to the Shahmirzadi. have with others.

Pray that God will open doors for believers to take Jesus to the Shahmirzadi people. May they know His Word and the true peace that can indwell their hearts with His grace and love.—PD

79 Day 29 Ephesians 6:12 Dezful People of Iran

For our struggle is not n the third century the Persian emperor “Shapur I against flesh and blood, the Great” forced Roman prisoners of war to build but against the rulers, Ia bridge across the Dez River. A riverbank fortress against the authorities, followed. Today a city stands there a short distance against the powers of this from the Iran/Iraq border. Around the fortress- bridge a county and people group speak their own dark world and against the dialect and follow their own customs. Politically part spiritual forces of evil in the of Iran and ancient Persia they form a unique society. heavenly realms. Dezful Vahdati Air Force Base is adjacent to the city We fool ourselves if we think and guards the nearby border. Fighter jets and other world evangelization is simply aircraft fly by regularly. The only military air show in a task requiring more effort. Iran takes place here during the Iranian New Year in The proclamation of God’s late March. During this time Dezful commemorates Kingdom is a frontal attack Iran’s war heroes from the Iran-Iraq war. on rebel-controlled territory But not everything is military oriented. Modernized that will meet Satan’s fiercest agriculture methods arrived in the 1960s, and resistance and opposition. now the region produces highly prized flowers and citrus fruits. Yogurt, vegetables, grains, and other The battle is essentially merchandise grow in the area. spiritual, and those who engage in the conflict must The Dezfuli language is different from Farsi. Evangelists have very few resources in the local be equipped with the spiritual language with which to share the message of Isa armor Paul describes. If you al-Masih (Jesus the Messiah). intend to involve yourself in the battle—as a sender, Pray that Iranian evangelists will cross the bridge to this mobilizer, missionary, or in any isolated people. Pray that the spiritual revival spreading other capacity—be prepared in Iran will reach the Dezful people. Pray that the Holy for attacks greater than you’ve Spirit will prepare Dezful “people of peace” who will re- ever experienced before. ceive the gospel and tell others about Christ.—GEC

Pray that the Lord will give us wisdom and protection as we enter into spiritual conflict.

80 Day 30 Mareghei People of Iran 2 Thessalonians 3:1

e sat around an indoor cooking fire as smoke Finally, brothers, pray for filled the room. I asked my translator, “What us that the message of the Wdo they do about the smoke?” He pointed to the top Lord may spread rapidly of the door. Contrary to my homeland, the doorway and be honored, just as it reached all the way to the ceiling. Tiny wisps of was with you. smoke fought to escape through the crack at the top of the door. I pressed my host, “Why don’t they create an Paul asked the church at air vent to let the smoke escape?” He replied patiently, Thessalonica to pray for him “It is not the way of the Mareghei. We build the and for the rapid spread of doorway to the top so the smoke can escape there.” the gospel to those to whom The Mareghei people are one of the many Talysh it had not yet come. That people groups. They live on land along the steep slopes prayer can be ours today. As of the South Caucasus Mountains near the southern the gospel has come to us, shore of the Caspian Sea in northwest Iran. The so let it be our compelling difference in elevation and climate dictate a variety of home styles and agriculture. But the tall doorway vision to see it spread quickly marks one factor that sets this group apart. to the Persian peoples like the Maregheis at the “ends However, Western practices are gradually entering the region. Western architecture has started to find a of the earth.” Read the above place in Mareghei home construction. And the ladies— verse again. This time replace historically dressed in traditional Islamic attire—little- the “us” with the name of a by-little are adopting Western style clothing. missionary who is laboring on some difficult field. Then, pray Pray that the evangelical explosion pulsating through Iran for him or her. will spread to the Mareghei in the northwest part of the country. Pray that God will send church planting teams to Pray that the Father will enter open doors. Pray that the Savior will reveal Himself strengthen His servants to earnest Mareghei hearts.—GEC around the globe so that His gospel message will spread rapidly among those who have not heard.

81 Day 31 Philippians 4:15 Natanzi People of Iran

Not one church shared here he was, Morteza Saffari Natanzi, with with me in the matter stubble beard, wire-framed glasses, striped shirt, of giving and receiving, Tand sport coat. The Iranian ambassador was in a except you only. black and white photograph in “Catalan International Review’s” featured interview by Marc Gafarot. The The terms the apostle Iranian ambassador deftly deflected criticism of his uses here—giving and country, blaming the E.U., the U.S., and Israel for his receiving—designate the nation’s woes and questionable reputation. debit and credit columns His surname, “Natanzi” is that of today’s unreached used in a bookkeeping people group, and he may be a member of that journal. The Philippian Shi’ite Muslim group. The Natanzi language group church had established an is not mentioned in either Operation World or Weeke’s Muslim Peoples. They number an estimated account for Paul in which 7,000 persons. They live in Isfahan Province, central they both invested funds Iran, according to SIL’s Ethnologue. According and made withdrawals. Can to Global Recordings Network (GRN), there are you imagine their joy both in no Bible recordings in their language. GRN is providing resources for Paul’s seeking volunteer native translators and information ministry and in receiving the concerning this language group so that some Bible reports of what had been resources may be made available to the Natanzis. accomplished through their While the Natanzis are unreached and the data investment? What accounts concerning them is minimal, we know that these have you opened for giving Shi’ite Muslims have never heard about Christ who and receiving? can lead them to an abundant eternal life. They put their faith in their works, which will fail them when Pray that God will show they stand before the throne of God. you and your church new opportunities for investing Pray for God to send Bible translators and gospel record- in His work and receiving in ing technicians to the Natanzi people. Pray that God will the realm of eternal affairs. send dreams and visions that will open Natanzi hearts to the only Savior. Pray that Iranian believers will seek to win the Natanzis to Christ.—TP

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Longing for Community Church, Ummah, or Somewhere in Between? Back Cover Understanding the strength and unity of the ummah—the worldwide Muslim community—and its role in an individual’s identity is essential in comprehending the struggles that Muslims undergo as they turn to faith in Jesus Christ. It has been a place of security, acceptance, protection, and identity; turning away from it entails great sacrifice. Where, then, will Muslims who choose to follow Jesus find their longing for community fulfilled: ummah, church, [Do not print] or somewhere in between?

Longing for Community compiles the research and reflection of twenty missiologists, sociologists, anthropologists, and linguists—among them Muslims who have become believers in Jesus Christ— presented at the second Coming to Faith Consultation in February 2010. The contributors explore the Replace with page 2 of multiple levels and hybrid nature of social identity, pointing to the need to free our discussions from single- dimensional scales, which are far from adequate to describe the complex nature of conversion and lived-out faith. Beyond the issue of identity, the contributors offer important lessons from mission history, explore liturgy as an appropriate vehicle for teaching, discuss appropriate means of communication, and point to both the need and contextually appropriate Cover PDF possibilities of greater involvement of women in training and ministry.

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