Turkey

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

Prior to the 20th century, Gaziantep was known simply as Antep. Located close to the Sacırsuyu River which flows off the Euphrates, it took its name from the Arabic word meaning ‘good spring’. Archaeological finds of pottery shards date the oldest settlement back to the early 4th century BC. It was an important city close to ancient trade routes from Syria, and surrounded by rich agricultural lands. 

At the end of World War One Allied troops occupied Istanbul and large swathes of Turkey. The British took control of Antep in 1919, but withdrew when the French invaded. Unbeknownst to them, a new nationalist movement had sprung up, lead by one Mustafa Kemal. During the Turkish War of Independence, Antep was the scene of strong resistance during what went down in history as the Seige of Antep. In recognition of the people's resilience and loyalty, Mustafa Kemal, otherwise known as Ataturk, added the word "Gazi" to the city's original name, Turkish meaning for soldier or warrior of the faith. The city has been known as Gaziantep ever since.

Due to Gaziantep’s proximity to and connections with Syria in the past, the mosque architecture and other buildings in the city is very different from elsewhere in Turkey. The region of Gaziantep is full of gardens, vineyards, olive and nut groves and at one time the city was home to wealthy and cultured landowners. Gaziantep is notable for its UNESCO-recognized culinary heritage and hosts one of the world’s most stunning mosaic museums. A trip to Gaziantep offers a blend of cultural richness and gastronomic delight.

Even though the Turkey earthquakes of 2023 have largely moved off the front page of the news, that doesn’t mean the people affected by them are doing OK. If anything, their needs are greater, especially in southeast Turkey and Syria where more than 50,000 people were killed, hundreds of thousands injured and people went missing in the rubble who may never be found, by the earthquakes that struck in early February 2023.

Many Disciple Makers have moved into Gaziantep and surrounding areas to begin assiting with trauma healing and leading people to the hope and peace that Jesus offers them. Movement efforts are taking hold as discovery bible study groups begin to pop up all over Gaziantep. God is moving here!

People groups living in Gaziantep include, but are not limited to: Turkmen, Syrian Arab, Southern Zaza, Turks, etc.

Focus City: Gaziantep

Prayer Point:

Jesus we lift up the city of Gaziantep. We thank you for the crossroads you have made this city, as Turks, Syrians, Turkmen and Southern Zaza all live in this place together. We praise you for the rebuilding of the city that has begun and ask for your incredible blessing of healing to come to all who live here. Jesus, give wisdom to your disciple makers as they enter Gaziantep. We pray for more discovery bible study groups to begin this month. Would you continue to bring openness to the homes in Gaziantep, that all may hear your word and believe.