Turkey

Praise God for the growth of Antakya Christian Church. Ask God to send mature, Turkish-speaking workers to support Hamdullah and Elmas as they minister to new believers and seekers, granting them wisdom, strength, and an outpouring of love.

Thank God that First Hope Association have opened a second school in the container city in Turkey, giving more children regular education after months of nothing. As winter conditions arrive, please pray that the containers and tents provided by First Hope Association would withstand the rain and snowfall, keeping people safe.

Praise God that Kanal Hayat have seen their YouTube channel grow considerably throughout 2023, enabling them to reach even more people in Turkey & West Asia with the Gospel. As we enter a new year, please pray this trend would continue. Due to an expanding team and new technology, Kanal Hayat need to update their IT systems. Please pray this would come to fruition.

Pray that the provision of educational materials by First Hope Association in Turkey is a testimony of God’s love and care for the earthquake-affected communities. Pray for First Hope Association's unceasing efforts in Turkey's earthquake-stricken areas. They are diligently moving families into container villages to improve living conditions. Pray for God's strength and abundant provision as they carry out this crucial task.

Praise God that Kanal Hayat, broadcasting into Turkey, had their best ever month in follow up with an expectation that a surge of responses will now materialise into a surge of believers in the near future. Pray for the frontline workers in Turkey, many of them still sleeping in their cars or outside due to safety concerns. Quite a few of them are suffering health-wise due to their current circumstances.

Three months after the devastating earthquake hit, millions in Turkey and Syria are living in tents, collective shelters and temporary homes. There is acute need for healthcare, mental health and nutrition services, shelter support and safe water supplies. Please pray for those affected as they cope with life in the aftermath of the destruction, and for NGOs like Medair as we work to provide safe shelter and water, health services, essential items and mental health support.

The Zaza people are nomadic Alevi Muslims and are largely illiterate with an oral tradition. Living in eastern Türkiye, most of the Zaza-Dimli people identify as Kurdish, tracing their origins back to the Medes and Persians. May they memorise the message of our Redeemer by memorising the Bible stories they hear.

Thank God that Kanal Hayat has successfully launched onto digital apps so that they can reach more people, and that its follow-up network now covers all 81 provinces in Turkey. Praise God that through Kanal Hayat in 2022, more than 1,000 came to Christ. Pray for more people and support to help expand the reach and to bring in the harvest, and for their safety. Pray for provision of new cameras for Kanal Hayat as it seeks to replace worn out equipment. Thank you Jesus, that through this ministry, more people than ever are searching for a new hope in Christ. Prayers also for Turkey and the partners that Kanal Hayat is working with, who are bringing aid in the form of basic needs items and food for victims of the earthquake in the affected regions.

Please pray for Turkey (and Syria) following the devastating earthquakes in the early hours of Monday 6th February 2023.  The death toll is already over 25,000 and rising. The Union of Churches of Turkey are coordinating their response in the region. A partner there has informed us of people known to him who have been trapped under the rubble, some having died. A major challenge to the rescue efforts is the harsh weather conditions which show no signs of turning milder. Our partner has asked us to pray the Lord will work miracles because miracles are needed at this time.

Pray for BMS World Mission partners in Lebanon working in Syria, that they might both provide crucial relief on the ground but also offer necessary support to Syrian refugees in Lebanon who are grieving from afar.

Pray for the area most affected by the devastating earthquake in Southeast Turkey. There are only about 3,500 national protestant believers in this land of 73 million Muslims, so the need for increased Christian witness is enormous, especially in rural and remote areas. Pray for the Christian radio and Satellite TV stations, plus Christian NGOs and congregations, to share messages of hope and assist in mobilising prayer and resources for those injured and made homeless, including church members and foreign workers.

TEN has been in touch with our partners in Turkey, who are keeping us informed about the situation and how to pray. They are not directly involved themselves but are sending funds to an organisation called First Hope Association, who are on the ground. For information on this organisation website: https://ilkumutdernegi.org/en/ We are keeping our supporters updated via social media. We are signposting people who come across our communications to give via those who have partners on the ground who are actively engaged. This could be through the First Hope Organisation, Stewardship or Worldshare, or another. Please pray for all the Christian churches in Turkey as they care for those affected by the devastating earthquakes and pray for those agencies that are actively involved in the rescue and restoration effort.