Christians, along with other religious minorities, continue to face restrictions and government persecution in the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan. Forum 18 News reports [here and here] of Christians being arrested and beaten for reading Christian material [to date the exact nature of the material has not been disclosed].  Also, a shipment of Bibles has been barred from entering the country without reason.

Persecution is to be expected for followers of Jesus [John 15:18ff]. However, as members of One Body, we are to remember those in prison as if we were the ones in prison [Hebrews 13:3].

Imagine yourself in a dirty prison cell with bruises covering your body and guards who mock you. The food, if it is given, is worse than disgusting. Your body aches from the beatings and it is very difficult to get any rest. What would you want people to pray for you in that circumstance?

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:3 NIV

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the annual locust invasion on wheat crops is worse than usual further compounding the drought crises in these republics.

Please pray that God would have mercy on the peoples of the Central Asian Republics and provide rain and relief for the locust problem.

Pray that this time of crisis would turn many peoples’ hearts to spiritual things and that they would find Life in Christ.

One aspect of Central Asians converting to Christianity that so few of us in the west can understand is the issue of burying the dead.  Muslim burial rights are strictly followed by even the most nominal Muslim families out of tradition and, possibly, a hope to earn merit in the afterlife.  This story from Forum18 explains a recent struggle for a Baptist family in southern Kyrgyzstan to be able to properly bury their son.

Pray for Christians who are seeking to live honorable lives in their villages and communities.  Pray that they would be able to honor Christ and love their neighbors and that through their lives many would come to know God through Christ.

In the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan, many think the “progress” hearkens back to Soviet times where the facade of religious freedom thinly veils the reality of strict control. According to this RFE/RL article, state restriction of religious activity is on the rise threatening to further complicate the methods of access into this already tightly-controlled country.

Please pray for those seeking to minister to the people of Uzbekistan to receive favor from government officials.

Also pray for the government leaders of Uzbekistan as they are leading this relatively new country. Pray that they will be honest, upright, and genuinely caring for the peoples under their jurisdiction.

Full article here.

*It is worth noting that this article tends to blur the lines between true, Bible-based Christianity and Christian-appearing cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

update:  Forum18 has posted a similar article here.

As the world is preparing for rising food prices and diminishing resources, many Afghans are already feeling the effects.  The shortage has caused many to relocate in search of food.

Pray for Afghans and other Central Asians who are directly affected by this food crisis to receive the basic food necessities this year.  

Pray for the safety of the men and women working to secure food supplies in Afghanistan.

This weekend marks the one year anniversary of the brutal murder of three Christians in southeastern Turkey.  This Forum18 News story summarizes the year’s struggles for Turkey’s Christian community.

Please pray for the families who remain, the widows and the fatherless children.

Pray for Christians throughout Turkey to be unified in mind and spirit, bold in the face of persecution, encourage and edify one another, and to be filled with joy in the midst of suffering.

Pray for the Christians’ influence in their community as they continue to live in the changing political climate. 

In the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan state officials are increasing pressures on minority religious groups. This Forum18 article highlights 2 recent incidents in which the state has brought charges against minority [non-Muslim] religious groups.

Concerns for prayer include:

The leadership of the churches to be honoring to God and the rulers over them, trusting that God is sovereign over these men and women who seek to do them harm.

The members of the churches to not forsake the gathering together of believers because of fear of persecution. Also, that they would be persistent in praying for those who persecute them.

Softened hearts of the government officials and opportunities for them to hear the gospel.

Read the entire story here from Forum18.

Fashionistas, as they are called, are pushing back against the strict Islamic laws regarding clothing in Iran. In recent attempts to quell any non-Islamic societal trends, the police have authority to take offenders into captivity. [link to article here.]

These fashionistas take their cues from the West. Some change their names to sound more western, they watch Fashion TV and are fervent about the styles and brands of clothes they wear. It seems like they would more readily fit into New York City or Paris instead of Tehran. Despite the risks of being jailed, they don their favorite brands and styles and publicly defy the law, risking fines and imprisonment.

Pray that satellite broadcasts about Christ would produce devoted followers who would risk their lives for something that matters more than fashion.

Pray for those creating these broadcasts to have funding to produce more programming for peoples in the Middle East.

Reference: Radio Free Liberty/Radio Europe article.

The post asking for prayer for the warzone of Afghanistan was posted before a series of three suicide bombs have terrorized the already fragile city of Khandahar in southern Afghanistan.

Please continue to pray for peace in Afghanistan. Many people are laboring on the ground for peace there, but the battle is more than just winning the war against terrorists. Pray for the peace of Christ to be known in the country of Afghanistan. Pray Acts 26:18 for the peoples of Afghanistan, from the most vicious warlord to the most innocent family man: Pray that God would “open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Christ.”

Link to AFP Article.

Related links:

Al Jazeera, BBC.

The former Soviet republic of Tajikistan is facing an energy crisis this winter that stems from rising fuel costs, diminishing fuel supplies and a brutal winter. Tajikistan is facing the same brutal winter that has killed hundreds in Afghanistan [Afghanistan borders Tajikistan to the south].

Pray for the country of Tajikistan and for the local and national government to handle this crisis well. Pray that corruption would be far from their minds and that they would work solely for the welfare of their people and their country. Pray for the locals as they endure this difficult time. Many are running out of money and cannot afford the rising fuel costs.

More on this story at RFE/RL. [The story about Tajikistan is the last one on the RFE/RL page.]