People Group Prayer Guides
Pray for the Circassian
Specific prayer requests for the Circassian peoples from workers living among them
Updated Spring 2008
A local Circassian friend is a mountain tourism developer. He is most comfortable rappelling down cliffs and swimming in hidden pools when he is not trying to keep six different projects going at once. He and several other small business owners have been going through a business training program. If their business plans are satisfactory they will be eligible for micro-loans.
- Please ask the Father to give these aspiring business man success as they follow the ethical advice they have been given. These business owners are not believers. We will take the opportunity to pray for each business owner and share our faith in Jesus. It is likely that we may be the first Christians these business owners have ever known.
Over the last six months there has been a heightened level of terrorist activity. It has become much more difficult for foreigners to receive permission to enter the country. Currently workers have been outside the country for two months waiting for visas. This used to be a two-week process. It looks hopeful for some to be there soon, however nothing is certain. One family has been banned from the country, possibly for five years. This is a real loss since this family has already spent two years learning culture and language, and making good friendships in the community.
- Please ask the Father to pave the way for workers to live in this land. Ask that the Holy Spirit would be speaking to the Circassians through scripture and through dreams that lead them to seek Jesus. Thank the Lord that the Spirit is not limited by national borders!
Did you know that teaching country-western dancing can be a tool for the Kingdom? Strange, but true! Local dance is one of the agenda items during seminars held by believers this month. These seminars are always a rich time of cultural exchange, learning, fun and laughter, deepening friendships and trust.
- Please ask the Father to continue to add to that foundation of trust and goodwill. Pray that the staff and students at the institute will have genuine interest in spiritual matters. Ask the Lord to give the workers wisdom and boldness as they share about the hope they have in Christ.
- Please also pray that administrators at the institute would publicly show favor to the Christians working there. Well-connected friends can be great advocates for workers when they come up against bureaucratic problems.
While we were checking out in a small grocery store, my husband’s cell phone rang. Seeing who it was, he greeted the caller in the “heart language” of the Circassians we work among. This is the language they speak at home. As he continued, everything around us stopped and all eyes turned to him. The checkout lady smiled at me with huge eyes, and asked, “What language do you speak at home?” I added to her amazement when I replied, “English”. Every person there smiled at us as we left, which is remarkable in this culture. As we are a relatively new team, everyone is still in formal language study. We need to study the main trade language for our region as well as the Circassian languages, all which are recognized as extremely challenging languages to learn. However, as seen in a snapshot of a grocery checkout it means a great deal to our local friends that we are attempting to communicate in their mother tongue.
- Please pray for the Circassian team as we work diligently to learn two difficult languages in order to meaningfully speak words of truth and love to our Circassian friends.
The Circassian team has new teammates adjusting to a very new way of life! Please continue to ask the Father to smooth the way before them while they learn the language and culture. It is exciting to anticipate what new relationships the Lord will create between these new teammates and their Circassian neighbors, teachers and business partners. One of our new teammates is fluent in American Sign Language, and is now learning the local sign language in addition to the spoken language. Incredible! Through her diligence God is making a way to have relationships with hearing impaired Circassians.
- Praise God for being merciful and for seeing the deaf community that is so often overlooked. Ask His Spirit to move in the hearts of more Circassians, and to lead our new team members to them.
In this area there is significant prejudice marring the relationship between Circassians and the majority population. We often ask the Father to work in the hearts of local believers within the majority community, and to soften them toward the Circassians. Recently a pastor related that he had a dream that he was in a Circassian village. He was extremely moved by the sad conditions and the people’s hopelessness. Immediately he encouraged his church to partake in a group rotation 40-day fast and seek God’s help in reaching into these communities. Amazingly, he told his congregation, “You know, they were here first and this is their homeland! We are the ones who came in later and took it!” Another man from the majority community, came from seven time zones away in order to share the good news with Circassians. He senses a call from the Father to stay here with his small family not for months, but decades.
- Praise the Lord for calling out these faithful men! They are wonderful believers, speak the trade language and are more familiar with Circassian culture. Ask the Father to encourage them, to help them reach out with humility, and to direct their steps as they introduce their neighbors to the Prince of Peace.
Give thanks to the Father that a way has been opened up to have an English club in a nearby village. When we met with the regional school superintendent, he stoically listened with a half-frown on his face as we explained why having better English speakers in the region will enhance opportunities for tourism. When we finished speaking, we waited for his response to our question, “Will you allow us to conduct a club like this for kids in the village school?” With the same stern look on his face, he barked out, “I allow it! You may hold one at any school in the region! You may use all of our facilities. Let me know what you need.” Wow! That was definitely more than we could ask or imagine!
- Ask that the Lord would use this type of club as a way to grow friendships between our workers and the teachers, students and families in these villages. Pray that as we get to know these communities we will have many opportunities to share with them about the greatness of our God and all He has done for us through Jesus. Pray that this superintendent would come to know the Lord and be a powerful voice for Jesus in this region, and that more clubs can be started as well. Thank you for caring for these students—the future of the Circassians!
Relationships with local friends only develop through time spent together. As we take part in their lives, sharing joyful times like births and weddings, and standing by them through the sorrows of sicknesses and death, we are able to show the faithfulness and love of Christ. Due to changes in visa laws it may become impossible for some workers to stay in the country for more than three months during a six month period.
- Please ask that the Lord provide a way to keep Christians in the country so they can share life with their friends and share the Hope that is in them. Only through God's power will believers be able to find a way to live here legally and continuously.
It takes years to develop strong relationships with Circassians. Character and integrity are only proven as locals watch our lives and see how we respond to problems and difficult situations. One Circassian began playing basketball weekly with some believers over five years ago. Over time he has gotten to know one family. This man and his wife are very strong Muslims and adhere closely to the obligations and practices that follow this type of commitment. In the last year they have been more receptive and open.
- Please pray that this family would continue to seek God, and that He will reward their search. Ask the Lord to speak to them through His word and convict them of their inability to redeem themselves by good works. Pray that He will put them together with other believers who can continue to be faithful witnesses in their lives.