(God open their hearts to receive your word)

• In February 2023 Turkey experienced the worst earthquakes in 1,500 years, which claimed around 50,000 lives and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Winter conditions worsened survivors' suffering, while widespread destruction, particularly in remote areas, complicated aid delivery. Corruption that allowed substandard buildings contributed significantly to the devastation. Pray that God would bring hope to this region, long resistant to the Gospel. Christians are encouraged to continue offering compassionate aid and support, partnering with local communities for long-term restoration, reflecting Christ’s love and service.

• For over 1,000 years, this region was a stronghold of Christianity. Later it became a centre for the spread of Islam. The Christian population declined from 22% in 1900 to less than 0.2% today. Few of today’s 73 million Turkish Muslims have ever truly heard the gospel. The ancient Churches survived until the beginning of the 20th century, but massacres (Armenians), severe persecutions (Assyrians), and emigration (Greeks) removed most of them from the land. Pray for a reviving work of the Holy Spirit among the 130,000 Christians from these ancient confessions who still remain in Türkiye.

• The Kurdish situation in Türkiye remains a complex and long-standing issue. With a population of around 15 million, Kurds form the majority in 16 provinces in the east and southeast. Despite some progress, such as official recognition of the Kurdish language and cultural freedoms like Kurdish newspapers and films, challenges persist, including poverty, high unemployment, and lingering discrimination. Over 30,000 lives have been lost in hostilities between the army and Kurdish separatists, with thousands of villages destroyed and millions displaced.

 Pray for an end to violence, fair resolutions to underlying issues, and cultural restoration for the Kurds.

 The Muslim Alevi, some of whom are Kurds, present unique opportunities for witness due to their nominal Islamic practices and openness to Jesus. Efforts to develop Kurdish expressions of the Church are ongoing, with tools like the JESUS film and the newly completed Kurmanji Bible playing vital roles. Pray for their effective use and for the growth of a Kurdish Christian community.