For over 1,000 years, this region was a stronghold of Christianity. Later it became a centre for the spread of Islam. The Christian population declined from 22% in 1900 to 0.21% in 2010. Few of today’s 73 million Turkish Muslims have ever truly heard the gospel. The ancient Churches survived until the beginning of the 20th century, but massacres (Armenians), severe persecutions (Assyrians), and emigration (Greeks) removed most of them from the land. We pray for a reviving work of the Holy Spirit among the 130,000 Christians from these ancient confessions who’ still remain in Turkey.
(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/11-24/ & https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/11-25/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 24 & 25th Nov 2021)
South Africa:
Do pray for all in government and leadership, that the priorities would be justice, righteousness, and economic improvement for all. Greater transparency, a more mature democracy, and free press, would all help combat corruption and deception. The nation faces high rates of rape and violent crime. The legacy of racism and injustice do not justify the lawlessness and wickedness evident. Do pray that the spirit of violence, both physical and sexual, might be bound under the authority of Christ.
(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/11-01/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 1st Nov 2021)
Slovenia:
Slovenia has had a Protestant witness since the Reformation, but still has very few evangelical churches and needs church-planting teams. The very small evangelical population is divided by ethnic group. Do pray for unity, and for an Evangelical Alliance to unite the churches. Most congregations lack a full-time pastor, and need outside financial assistance. Do pray for Slovene believers to evangelize their country, to support their pastors, and even to send missionaries!
(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/10-27/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 27th Oct 2021)
Slovakia:
Slovakia has a strong Christian heritage, but the many Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed Churches struggle with low attendance. Praise God for renewal movements, especially among Lutherans who focus on young people and small groups (Family Fellowships). Do pray that the Holy Spirit would bring new life to the strong foundation of Christianity here.
(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/10-26/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 26th Oct 2021)
Russia:
The fall of the Iron Curtain opened Eastern Europe and Central Asia to evangelism, church planting, rebirth of a Christian society, Bible translation work, and more. Churches more than doubled in number and in size, and the number of people who identify themselves as non-religious or atheist dropped by more than half from before 1991! Evangelicals tripled in number since 1991, and now have a recognized place within Russian religious culture. Their experience and maturity allow them to face with wisdom the agendas of both Western and Russian governments. But the days of fast growth (1990s) soon ended. Moscow and St Petersburg have only 10% of Russia’s population, but the largest amount of mission activity, ministry, and resources.
The North Caucasus region is the poorest and least stable region in Russia. It has the highest unemployment, the highest birth rates, and widespread corruption. The region’s 7 republics contain 50 to 60 ethnic groups of Caucasus, Turkic, and Iranian origin. The North Caucasus peoples are among the least reached on earth, and they live in Europe’s least-evangelized region.
(Do click onto the links – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/10-14/ & https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/10-15/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 14th & 15th Oct 2021)
Estonia:
Estonia found political and economic success after the time of Soviet domination (1940-1988). Poverty remains a problem, and greed for material possessions grows as the economy grows. Estonia faces a crisis of values as the people become more and more secular in their attitudes.
(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/05-18/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 18th May 2021)
Eritrea:
Religious freedom remains a major issue. A 2002 government ruling banned all religious groups from meeting together and practicing their faith without official recognition, and it granted recognition only to Sunni Islam, Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran groups. The effects of this on all Eritreans are significant, especially so on Christians within non-approved groups. Some posit this as a reaction against the evangelical growth within the Orthodox Church and during the long war with Ethiopia. Do pray for the government acceptance of religious groups and for restoration of basic human rights and religious freedom to all Eritreans.
Eritrea longs for peace and national stability. It is located in a
region filled with countries fraught with conflict and crises. War and
drought left millions dependent on food aid from abroad. Many face
extreme poverty with no relief ahead. Mandatory military service limits
the size of the workforce. Many people flee the country to escape the
military, and the money sent home by those who live abroad now provides a
vital source of income for the country.
(Do click onto this link – https://operationworld.org/locations/eritrea/ & https://operationworld.org/prayer-calendar/05-16/ to read for further news by Operation World Prayer News, 17th & 16th May 2021)
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