Prayer Fuel
THE KYRGYZ PEOPLE
As we have now prayed over the seven regions of Kyrgyzstan, we will turn our focus to praying for several of the various groups of unreached peoples who live there, starting with the Kyrgyz.
Photo by Bobby Rahe on Unsplash
Although they are related to Kazakh and other Turkic peoples of the region, the Kyrgyz look very much like the Mongols. In fact, they are the people who most clearly resemble Genghis Khan. More than any other Central Asian people, the Kyrgyz have clung to their traditional way of life as nomadic cattle raisers. They have also maintained their tribal organization. … The name “Kyrgyz” means “the descendants of forty maidens.” The Kyrgyzstan flag has forty sun rays to represent the Kyrgyz heritage.
During its 72 years under Communist rule, the Kyrgyz population grew to four times its original size. Hundreds of towns and villages were built as many abandoned their traditional nomadic lifestyles. Nevertheless, the majority of the population is still rural.
Since the land is generally unsuitable for farming, many rural Kyrgyz live as nomadic cattle raisers, following their herds from pasture to pasture … The nomads travel as extended family units and live in portable felt tents, or yurts. The summers are short on the plateau, and there are only about 60 days in which the ground is not covered in snow. During this season, the families tend to camp close together. However, during the winter months, families live scattered away from each other so that they might best utilize the scarce grassland.
Consecutive waves of Islamization have taken place since the Arabs first invaded Talas in 751 when many Kyrgyz tribes were still in Siberia. Northern nomadic tribes were able to skirt many of the Islamic traditions until recently. Within the last two hundred years, the majority have been completely converted to Islam. The present wave of Islamization in Kyrgyzstan is one of the most intense that the north has ever experienced. People who were only Muslim by name are now learning many of the more intricate practices, creeds, and doctrines… since 1990, over 3000 new mosques have been built in Kyrgyzstan.
Today, most Kyrgyz still consider themselves to be Muslim; however, some Shamanistic and Tengrism practices still exist…Many people still turn to mediums and seers to cure sickness with magic, communicate with powers, and control events. Almost all Kyrgyz believers have to go through a breaking of demonic powers over their lives once they become Christians.
–excerpted from Joshua Project (along with prayer card and prayer points below)
Exalting His Name
Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Matthew 13:31-33, NLT)
Pray that the influence of the existing .09% of Kyrygz who are believers (about 5,000 amongst 5 million) will permeate their families and society.
Praying for the Harvest
- Pray for effectiveness of the Jesus film among the Kyrgyz.
- Ask God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio to the Kyrgyz.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to soften hearts towards believers so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Praying for the Church
The Kyrgyz flag is a bright red color that many say is because of the historical struggle and blood shed from many foreign oppressors. This history can create skepticism toward outsiders working in this country and be a barrier to the good news. Pray for healthy indigenous expressions of discipleship, outreach, and church that is true to the Kyrgyz people and honors their traditions and values, while bringing redemption and beauty through Jesus and His Kingdom’s transformational power.
- Pray for the development of training materials in the Kyrgyz language.
- Pray that local believers in Kyrgyzstan would be discipled and mobilized to reach their own people.
- Pray that God will stir churches and believers to engage in the important work of worship and intercession.
Worshiping and Waiting
This time can be an opportunity to simply sit still, turn on a worship song and ask the Lord if there’s anything else he’d like you to pray for today for the Kyrgyz People.
Praying by Name
Pray that your three Muslim friends would encounter the “yeast” of the kingdom of God or the “tree” that grew from the mustard seed. Pray God would give them eyes to see the influence of his kingdom around them and to be drawn to its source, “making their home (nest) in its branches.”
Closing Prayer
Come Lord Jesus to the Kyrgyz people. Break down spiritual strongholds. Establish Your Kingdom in the small and mysterious, yet powerful and redeeming ways. Heal hearts and families with Your transformative love. Bring a beautiful Kyrgyz worship that spreads across all the villages of this land. Let the glory of God cover these mountains! Amen.
(Thanks to J. for their contribution to today’s prayer fuel.)
