Prayer Fuel

Praying for Chuy region brings us to the end of our tour of Kyrgyzstan’s seven oblasts (regions). It is bounded on the northern side by Kazakhstan, and is home to Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek and almost 1 million people (of the country’s 6.7 million). The capital city has been through several name changes, from Pishpek under a Central Asian Khanate in the 1800s to Frunze as part of the Soviet Union, to Bishkek after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Many of those living in other regions come to Bishkek to study or to work, making it a melting pot of the peoples and cultures coming from other regions, as well as those were originally settled here during the Soviet Union (Russians, Ukrainians, Koreans).

Map Credit: World Atlas

For those who may have become believers in other regions, coming to Bishkek can give some relief from the persecution they face, due to the anonymity found in any big city, and there is a measure of religious freedom (churches can meet openly), although the government closely monitors all religious activity for signs of extremism (including Muslim religious institutions), strictly regulating religious activity (technically, all religious leaders must be licensed, and there should be no religious activity happening informally–such as in homes). Off and on the government conducts inspections of religious institutions and can close them down if permissions or registrations are missing.

The church initially blossomed in the years after communism as a hunger emerged to explore the opportunities that had been kept off-limits during the USSR, and many found in Christ the answer to their religious seeking. However, after an initial growth period, the rate of the church’s growth has slowed, and many pastors would say there is a need for their churches to grow deeper and more mature in their faith.

Photo by Mike Dudin on Unsplash

Exalting His Name

A voice says, “Cry!”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40: 6-8)

Everlasting God, through the rise and fall of khanates and governments you remain steadfast and your word stands forever.

Praying for the Harvest

A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40: 3-5)

Our God, during the spiritual wilderness of communism you were preparing a way for your church in Kyrgyzstan to be born, and we believe that now, during a resurgence of Islam you are also preparing a straight way in the desert–a highway for the knowledge of Yourself.

Spend some time praying that God would remove every obstacle that stands in the way of many in Kyrgyzstan seeing the glory of God in the face of Jesus.

Praying for the Church

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

Please pray for God to shepherd his church in Kyrgyzstan, and to raise up and strengthen the pastors and leaders who are shepherding his people.

Worshipping and Waiting

This time can be an opportunity to simply sit still, or to turn on a worship song and ask the Lord if there’s anything else he’d like you to pray for today for Chuy Region and Bishkek.

Praying by Name

Using Isaiah 40:3-5 above, you might try praying a paraphrase of the scripture for each of your friends.

Closing Prayer

Thank you God, for the way you birthed your church in Kyrgyzstan and thank you for how you have watched over their growth these past 30 years. We are asking you now, once again in the Chuy Region and Bishkek City today…reveal your glory and bring many Muslims to worship you. Reveal your gentleness as you shepherd your church and allow them to continue to grow strong and faithful.