Prayer Fuel
Talas Region
Map Credit: World Atlas
In the northwest corner of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan lies the Talas Oblast, which covers approximately 13,000 square kilometers and is the home of over 270,000 people. This number represents a mixture of Kyrgyz, Kurds, Russians and Kazaks, with Kyrgyz people making up 90 per cent of the population.
Of the seven oblasts of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Talas holds a special place in the heart of the Kyrgyz people. It is in this valley that the legendary hero, Manas, was born and today lies enshrined. Kyrgyz from all over the country make their way to the burial site to visit the tomb of Manas and climb the large hill overlooking the tomb and to visit the museum dedicated to the Manas epic poem and its hero. This oblast also holds another interesting piece of Kyrgyz history. It was here in 751 A.D. that the Chinese armies were defeated by invading Arabs which established the religion of Islam in Central Asia.
Today these two historical events continue to play critical roles in the spiritual lives of the people. After the fall of atheistic communism, the Kyrgyz people emerged with a nationalistic pride in their Islamic faith. Although many are not strict adherents to the pillars of the faith, they nevertheless consider themselves strong Muslims. In the past few years, there has been a definite increase in the promotion of Islam and strong encouragement for the people to return to their Islamic roots. In addition to this spiritual dynamic, the national hero, Manas, has achieved an almost deified place in the hearts and minds of many. Some see Manas as a type of intermediary between man and God.
[With acknowledgement to authors R.&R. W. and L.W.]
Photo Credit: visitkyrgyz.com
Exalting His Name
Spend some time praying through this scripture for the excellency of Jesus to be revealed in Talas, and that many hearts will be won to him in allegiance and overflow to him in worship.
My heart is stirred by a noble theme
as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of men
and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. (Psalm 45:1-4, NIV)
Praying for the Harvest
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1: 11-13, ESV)
Jesus, as Kyrgyz and other people groups in Talas wrestle with these questions of spiritual identity, please reveal to them that you are not the head of a foreign religion–you are the brother of all who receive and believe in you. Show them that belonging to your Father answers the deep question, “Who am I?” (“Whose am I?”) Give grace to many in Talas to receive you and believe in your name, to be born of God.
Praying for the Church
Pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire believers in Talas to share the gospel with their neighbors in a way that addresses these questions of identity and culture.
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 Talas region or anything He would like to say to you personally. You can make note of anything that comes to you or just enjoy being quiet.
Closing Prayer
The hero Manas has captured the imagination of the Kyrygz people, and we long to see Christ capture the hearts of the Kyrgyz people, and be seen as the hero to all humanity that he is. Father, would you exalt your son through your Spirit and by your Word. Would you empower gifted communicators throughout the Talas region to share compellingly about the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and would you open hearts to receive the call to love and follow this Man.
Praying by Name
Take a few minutes asking God how you can pray for the hearts of your three Muslim friends. From the Matthew 13 parable, ask the Holy Spirit if there is a dullness to the word, aversion to difficulty, love of the world and wealth in their heart that may prevent them from receiving the seed of the gospel. Spend some time in prayer as the Holy Spirit leads, asking Him to remove all that clutters their hearts. Father, I pray that you would prepare the hearts of __________, _________, and __________ to be good soil. May they be ready to hear the word of life, able to understand and treasure it and willing to persevere in living it out.
Unreached People Group of the Day (Visit Joshua Project for more info on Balkar in Kyrgyzstan)
Father, please send out laborers, open hearts and begin a movement to Christ among the Balkar in Kyrgyzstan.
