Prayer Fuel

Map Credit: World Atlas

Jalalabad city, recently renamed Manas city, is the third largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Due to its location in Southern Kyrgyzstan, close to Uzbekistan, about 25% of the citizens are Uzbek and 70% are Kyrgyz with Kurdish and Turkish populations, and because of the medical college, a lot of Indian and Pakistani medical students.

Jalalabad is growing; there are new apartment buildings and supermarkets going up everywhere. At the same time, Islam is also growing. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are building new mosques, madrassas and schools. Young people are searching for something to tie their identity to, and many are finding it in Islam.

There are several churches in Jalalabad, most of which were started in the late 1990’s. The Baptist church is the biggest and most established church, but there is also a charismatic church and an Uzbek church as well as several other Kyrgyz churches. Unfortunately, most of these churches are not very seeker friendly for people from a Muslim background.

Some ministries are trying to reach Muslims in Jalalabad and the surrounding villages by studying the Bible with open individuals or families. The goal is to start house churches that look and feel Kyrgyz, in hopes that people won’t be ostracized from their community; instead the community will see the positive change in the new believers and will also be drawn to Jesus.

(With thanks to C. for their contribution of today’s prayer fuel)

Exalting His Name

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:8-11)

Jesus, we acknowledge your supremacey over all things and exalt you over Jalalabad today.

Praying for the Harvest

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”… When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”…Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:36-39)

Let’s pray for whole families and communities in Jalalabad to be cut to the heart, repent and believe and receive the gift of new life and the Holy Spirit.

Father, please send out laborers, open hearts and begin a movement to Christ among each of the people groups in Jalalabad: Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Kurds, Turks, Pakistanis and Indians.

Praying for the Church

Pray for unity between the different churches in Jalalabad, that Muslims may see Jesus through the one-ness of believers.

Praise God for the new believers in villages around Jalalabad. Some of them gather regularly in each other’s homes to pray and read the Bible. Pray for these believers to be strengthened in their faith and for many more such groups start.

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 Jalalabad region.

Praying by Name

Pray for your three Muslim friends to be drawn over and over again to the story of the crucifixion and resurrection and for the Holy Spirit to give them a growing suspicion that this “story” may be true.

Closing Prayer
Crucified and Resurrected Lord Jesus, your divine rule extends even over Jalalabad. By your Spirit, through your word and your witnesses, reveal to people in Jalalabad today that you died and were raised for them. May many choose to live for you. May we see your kingdom come more fully in the lives of individuals and families as they experience your power and life-giving love. Amen.