Turkey

During the month of June let's pray together for the strategic city of Istanbul. We encourage you to find out more about Istanbul and the unique history, culture and people of this beautiful city. All month long we ask that you direct your prayers here.

Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, has been the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, which stretched throughout the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa. Acting as a bridge between Europe and Asia, Istanbul represents a significant strategic hub for the Church. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, with a population of over 17 million.

It is the main economic hub where people from around the country come to find work, education and healthcare. Many migrant workers come through Istanbul every year and return back to their hometowns and countries, where they bring ideas they learned when they were in Istanbul. 

At the peak of its power, the Ottoman empire stretched all throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Today, you can find expressions of worship towards the Rebulic of Turkey's founder, Ataturk, throughout schools, sports, holidays, and secular belief systems.

Acting as a bridge between Europe and Asia, Istanbul has also been heavily influenced by western progressivism. Here you will find conservative, practicing Muslims side-by-side with their secular, atheist friends. The stark contrast seen around Istanbul daily reminds us that this is a city of confusion. The incongruent words of which people say they believe here, do not always match up with their lifestyles and religious practice. 

In spite of its global influx and modernization, the Turks remain one of the largest frontier people groups on the planet. It is for reasons such as these that Istanbul represents a significant, strategic hub for the church.

People groups living in Istanbul include, but are not limited to: Turks, Kyrgyz, Tartar, Uyghur, Syrian Arabs, Kurds, etc.

Focus City: Istanbul

Prayer Point:

Lord, we praise you for the city of Istanbul. We cry out for the millions of lost souls walking the streets, riding the subways, and sitting in tea cafes in the city of Istanbul. We ask that they whispers of Christian heritage from the halls of the famous Hagia Sophia be shouted from the rooftop of the neighboring Blue Mosque. The faithful saints who have gone before us, who helped write the Nicaea Creed from this very region, left a foundation of truth for us to stand on today. May the people of Istanbul cry out to you once more. May they worship you, Jesus, in spirit and in truth.

For those Muslims genuinely seeking to know you and please you, Jesus, reveal your true identity to them through dreams and vision. Let them seek you and find you. Make known yourself in powerful, miraculous ways, Lord. For those in the city who are tired of religion and people telling them how to live their lives, Jesus, show them the freedom that comes with following you. Let your church in Istanbul stand firm in the face of persecution. Help them to press on in the trails of life that Istanbul brings. Raise up new effective disciple makers from among the believers in this city. May we see a Disciple Making Movement start in Istanbul this year, King Jesus!