Prayer Fuel

During the month of May let's pray together for the strategic city of Gaziantep in Southeast Türkiye. 

We encourage you to find out more about Gaziantep and the unique history, culture and people of this beautiful 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 Türkiye. 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 Türkiye. 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 Türkiye 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 Türkiye 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

Luke 10:5-7

"Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’  If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you.  Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay."

Prayer Point:

Lord, we pray for the city of Gaziantep. We ask that you open homes to welcome in your disciple makers. Bring your everlasting peace into these families who hospitably host your disciples and listen to their message of hope and healing. Bless these families as they continue to heal from their losses in the 2023 Earthquakes. Strengthen your disciple makers as they sit day after day with those who are still grieving heavily. Let their light shine brightly as they share stories of joy, peace, healing and hope to those who need to hear it most. Bring the city of Gaziantep to your throneroom, Lord, where they may worship you freely forever!