Prayer Fuel
Issyk-Kul Region
Map Credit: World Atlas
The Issyk-Kul Oblast is situated in the northeastern part of Kyrgyzstan. It is bordered by Kazakstan to the north and China to the east. Issyk-Kul oblast covers more than 43,000 square kilometers and is home to over 535,000 people of varying ethnic backgrounds. The majority are Kyrgyz, but there are large populations of Russians, Uyghurs and Dungans (Chinese Muslims) as well as Kazaks, Uzbeks, Kalmaks, and Koreans. It was here, in the eastern part of the oblast, that the first Russian settlers arrived in 1868.
The scenic beauty of Issyk-Kul is breathtaking. The surface of the lake lies at 1600 meters above sea level and is completely surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges that rise quickly to 4000 meters. The lake and the many resorts on its shores attract summer tourists from around the world.
Despite this source of income and natural beauty, many people seem to struggle to make ends meet. There has been a resurgence of Islam and the building of mosques in every village, while some also turn to local shamans for help with their problems. People have also turned to Christ, and there are about 20 churches in the region–many of them small gatherings or house churches whose growth has stalled out since the initial growth period.
[From an an article by S.D.]
Photo by Dmitry Limonov on Unsplash
Exalting His Name
As you meditate through this scripture you can use it as a prayer that all the families of all the different people groups in Issyk-Kul would come to the Father through Christ to worship Him!
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity. (Psalm 96: 4-10)
Praying for the Harvest
When Jesus heard (the faith of the centurion), he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 8:10-11)
Jesus, will you please open hearts today to understand who you are, and what you can do. We pray for the gift of faith for many today in Issyk-Kul–may they hear stories about Jesus and may they call out to him in faith. May leaders from among the Kyrgyz, Uyghers, Dungan, Kazakh, Kalmak, Uzbek, Russian and Korean families recognize you for who you are and invite your healing work in their families and communities.
Praying for the Church
Praying through this scripture, please pray for the churches in Issyk-Kul region to grow and thrive in their maturity and for many to come to faith through their witness.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
Worshiping and Waiting
This time can be an opportunity to simply sit still, ot turn on a worship song and ask the Lord if there’s anything else he’d like you to pray for today for Issyk-Kul. You can note anything that comes to you or just enjoy being with the Lord.
Closing Prayer
God of all peoples, we long to see representatives of all the peoples in the Issyk-Kul region giving you the worship and honor you deserve. We long to hear their testimonies and songs of joy as they share of the healing and redemption you have worked in their families. Please meet many today in their places of need and give them faith to receive your redemption through Christ.
Praying by Name
Today let’s pray for the families of the three people we are praying for–their husbands, wives, children, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, grandparents…that God would move in the hearts of others in their networks and give them companions in their journey toward Christ.
Unreached People Group of the Day (Visit Wikipedia for more info on in Sart Kalmyk in Kyrgyzstan)
Father, please send out laborers, open hearts and begin a movement to Christ among the Sart Kalmyk in Kyrgyzstan.
*It seems that this people group has been in the process of changing both their religious (formerly Buddhist) identity and ethnic identity to assimilate with Kyrgyz.
