Turkey

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

Today, we're also praying specifically for one of the unreached people groups living in Turkey.

Despite Turkey's history in the Way of God, 99.8% of the population are Muslim. The Turks remain one of the largest frontier people groups. As Turkey is a bridge between Europe and the Middle East, Western progressivism has also strongly influenced the nation. These factors make Turkey a prominent harvest field. Let it be said once again that "all who lived in Asia (Turkey) heard the word of the Lord".

Diyarbakir is a city of over a million people in southeastern Turkey that lies on the bank of the Tigris River. For most of recorded history people have been living in this area and through the centuries many kingdoms and powers ruled this land. Currently, Diyarbakir is the largest Kurdish majority city in Turkey. Diyarbakir has been a main focal point of the conflict between the Turkish state and various Kurdish separatist groups. 

Diyarbakir was impacted by the Turkey-Syria earthquakes on 6 February 2023. Though it was 200 miles (300 km) from the epicenter many buildings collapsed or suffered damage as did the ancient city walls.

People groups living in Diyarbakir include, but are not limited to: Kurmanji Kurds, Turks, Syrian Arabs, Iraqi Arabs etc.

Focus City: Diyarbakir

Isaiah 40:31

"But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint."

The Kurmanji Kurdish People

Most Kurmanji Kurds (also known as the Northern Kurds) in Turkey live in the most rugged part of Kurdistan. They are located near the Turkey-Iran border, and along the Iraq and Syrian borders. Large families are the rule and most households have at least five or six members. Massive migrations to the towns, as well as other cultural and social changes, have contributed to the extinction of tribal society. Schools are ill-equipped and there are too few of them. Medical care is inadequate in the towns and almost non-existent in the rural areas. The Kurds have followed Islam for many years. Although the New Testament is now available in their language, there are few known Kurmanji Kurdish believers.

Prayer Point:

Lord, come build your church among the Kurmanji Kurds! Have mercy on those that are far from you in Diyarbakir. We pray for our current and future brothers and sisters. Give them deep faith and trust in you. Enable them to renew their strength in you and to soar on wings like eagles. Teach them how to serve their people and bring your kingdom in the midst of the many challenges in Diyarbakir. Show them opportunities to demonstrate your light and proclaim your kingdom. Raise up hundreds of thousands of Christ exalting multiplying churches among them that love and obey you. Give boldness and perserverence to all Kurmanji Kurdish disciples.