Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Praying for Kazakhstan: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - July 31

Today we conclude our prayers for Kazakhstan. Please review pages 497-500. Our prayer time today is led by a servant of Christ who is dedicated to reaching unengaged, unreached people groups in the Muslim world. Please read and pray along with her.

Kazakhstan is an incredible nation. It is the world’s ninth largest country and has one of the world’s fastest growing economies. In 1990 there were no Kazakh believers but in 2010 there were about 15,000. There are many believers reaching out to the unreached minorities in Kazakhstan as well as reaching out to broken families effected by wide spread alcoholism and drug addiction. Incredible, what God is doing in this nation despite religious restrictions and some persecution.

There were two laws passed in September 2011 that further restricted religious rights, as they required the re- registration of all religious communities. The laws were targeting extremist Islamic groups but unregistered Christian churches were greatly affected too. These new laws mean that religious materials face censorship, new places of worship need government approval and working with young people will become more difficult.

Father, we acknowledge you as Lord over this nation. Your heart is for the Kazakh people. Your sacrifice on the cross was enough to pay their debt. We ask that you would strengthen, refresh, encourage and build up your church in this nation. Thank you for those that have followed you for many years despite persecution or being alienated. Thank you for those that are just now seeking who this Jesus is. Thank you for the many resources that are available and thank you for those reaching out to the poor and broken. We pray you will draw more Kazakhs to yourself. We pray for the churches affected by these new laws, bless their leaders and give them wisdom in how to move forward as you lead. We pray for the government of Kazakhstan that they would not be threatened by your church but would be blessed by the body of Christ. We pray that those in leadership would encounter Jesus in a powerful way. We exalt the name of Jesus over Kazakhstan. In Jesus name, amen.

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