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Life in Mongolia is Hard - Focus: The Muslim Kazakhs

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Day 09 for 21st September, coinciding with Ramadan 2007 / 1428

The Kazakh culture differs in several ways from the Mongol culture. Traditionally the Mongolian Kazakhs are Sunni Muslims whereas the rest of the population are associated with Tibetan Buddhism. In daily life, Islam actually only plays a minor part in the lives of most Mongolian Kazakhs. Places of Islamic worship only sprang up a few years ago in the villages and settlements. Some of these were paid for by foreign Islamic organisations.

Kazakh nomads have roamed the mountains and valleys of western Mongolia with their herds since the 19th century. The area has many peaks ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 meters. After the founding of the Mongolian People’s Republic in 1924 many of them left their semi-nomadic lifestyle and began settling down in the western Mongolian highlands. Today the Kazakhs in the province of Bayan-Olgii number around 4% of the total Mongol population (about 110,000 people).

Since the 1990’s 35,000 to 50,000 ethnic Mongolians have submitted themselves to Christ. Previously only a few dozen were known to be Christians. The Kazakhs in Bayan-Olgii have so far remained untouched by these events.

Prayer Points:

* Pray that the the Gospel could be presented in a culturally sensitive way to the Kazakhs of Mongolia so that they could put their hope in the God. “Those who hope in him will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

* Pray that Mongolian Christians and others will make increased efforts to bring the Good News of the Messiah to the Kazakh minority in Western Mongolia.

+ Google Map Link: Mongolia

+ YouTube Video Link: 6:01, in Mongolia

+ Gospel Recordings Link: Words of Life in Mongolian

Popularity: 5% [?]

Poorest, least literate and Muslim - the Dongxiang of China

Day 08 for 20th September, coinciding with Ramadan 2007 / 1428

Chinese government statistics show that the Dongxiang are among the poorest and least literate of China’s 56 ethnic minorities. Many of them have only had slightly over one year of schooling. Most Dongxiang children find it difficult to learn Chinese. Some international aide agencies have been spurred to act in collaboration with the Chinese government to begin bringing a solution to this problem.

The Dongxiang’s “three treasures”, apricots, melons and other fruits, enjoy good reputation throughout China. There are possibly 200 Christians among the Dongxiang, however most of them are not organised in house groups or churches. There are village mosques and Muslim burial vaults and at the center of Islam in China, the Dongxiang has a reputation for being particularly devout.

Prayer Requests:

* Ask God to send Chinese Christians to live and announce the Gospel among the Dongxiang people. May there be opportunities to help them with medical, educational, social and agricultural projects.

* May God open the hearts of the Dongxiang in order that they could enter His kingdom.

Population: estimate 514,000 (Year 2000 census)
Religion: Sunni Muslims

+ Google Map Link: North-western Chnia

+ YouTube Video Link: 08:36, Welcome to China

+ Gospel Recordings Link: Words of Life - Dongxiang

Popularity: 2% [?]

Miracles in Tunisia, North Africa

Day 07 for 19 September, coinciding with Ramadan 2007 / 1428

Tunisia makes its mark by staying out of the international news. Nestled between Algeria and Libya on the southern Mediterranean coast, security and unity are the hallmarks of this country of 10 million. Having had only two presidents in the past 50 years, Tunisia is marked by political stability and prosperity. It is also a country of mixed cultural values.

It is relatively easy to talk with Tunisians about the Gospel, though many do not show interest in spiritual things. Some who have experienced healing and deliverance in the name of Christ acknowledge that Jesus has changed their lives, yet still do not commit their lives to him. Others profess faith and then do not commit themselves. There are shining examples of committed individual disciples, but few truly indigenous house churches although a small, national church exists.

Prayer points:

* Pray for unity and trust among local believers.

* Pray for healthy marriages and strong families. Some young adult believers sometimes have difficulty finding mates.

* Pray for those who have experienced Christ in healings, dreams and deliverance to really commit their lives to him (Ephesians 5:11-20).

* Pray for effective discipleship of believers and ‘near’ believers (Mt. 28:20a). May the power of God and the truth of Christ to come to dominate and transform the lives of all believers (Colossians 1:28).

* Pray for more effective co-ordination and followup of media contacts (satellite, and radio broadcasts are done daily). Pray for God to work in the new cities that now have a resident witness for the first time in many years.

* Pray for wisdom for government leaders, especially in protecting the country from radical Islamists (Romans 13:1-5).

YouTube Video Link: 7:33, Tunisia photopresentation

Gospel Recordings Link: Tunisia

(PRAYER POINTS FOR KUWAIT)

Popularity: unranked [?]

Shifting Sands in Qatar

Day 06 for 18th September, coinciding with Ramadan 2007 / 1428

We can give thanks for much that has happened in Qatar since we last prayed for it through “30 Days” in 1998. For example, in May 2005 representatives of several Christian churches signed an agreement with the Government of Qatar for a 50-year lease on a large piece of property in the capital of Doha. Also the new constitution explicitly provides for freedom of worship, association and public assembly, though there are some restrictions.

Qatar may be best known around the world today as the home of Al-Jazeera, the controversial Arabic-language satellite television news channel. Oil was discovered in Qatar in 1939. Today Qatar is highly influenced by the Wahhabi, who believe their role as a movement is to restore Islam from what they perceive to be innovations, superstitions, deviances, heresies and idolatries. It is a Sunni movement very opposed to Shi’a tendencies.

Prayer Requests:

* The Al-Thani family has ruled Qatar since the mid-1800’s. Pray that the leading members of the family would know how to wisely lead the nation. The Emir has 3 wives and 15 children.

* Pray for the church building project. There have been delays and some Muslim media have complained about the project.

* Pray that nominalism, immoral and unspiritual behaviour would be greatly reduced in the Christian community. It is the only way that believers may gain respect from the Muslims and bring real change to the nation.

* Some Qataris and foreign workers are discovering Christ through the media and contacts with local believers. Pray for those who are discovering the risen Messiah as they grow in their faith.

Qatar is 90+% Muslim
Population about 900,000 people
(possibly 200,000 are citizens)

YouTube Link: 2:27, impressions of doha

Gospel Recordings Link: Qatar

(PRAYER POINTS FOR KUWAIT)

Popularity: unranked [?]

Kuwait’s Destiny

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY FOR KUWAIT?

Day 05 - for September 17, coinciding with Ramadan 2007 / 1428

A hundred years ago, Christians came to Kuwait and helped the people through medical services. Positive Christian contributions to Kuwaiti society continue today. In addition, the Kuwaiti government not only allows Christianity to flourish, but also provides meeting facilities for Christian worship.

Many Christians in Kuwait believe that the Lord has called them to be a lighthouse to the surrounding nations. Some pastors say the Lord reminds them to be a Bethlehem – where salvation came to the world. The pastors are not just concerned with their local congregation, but instead are looking for the godly transformation and blessing of Kuwait. They regularly meet together.

Prayer points:

* Many Kuwaitis are seeking the Lord, mainly through watching satellite television. Local Christians need to be able to disciple, train and equip those who are discovering Christ. May they become imitators of God, as dearly loved children (Ephesians 5:1).

* May the Lord continue to build a mentality centred on the Kingdom of God which is not just focused uniquely on the activities of individual churches (Mt 6:33a).

* Pray for Christlike leadership of the major churches (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

* Pray that Kuwaiti believers will exhibit godly values through their business activities with All and Also the
Christian Marketplace believers will Glorify the Lord through thier business . (Colossians 4:5).

* Committed godly Christian women are needed to minister to Kuwaiti and non Kuwaiti women (Titus 2:3-5).

* May God reveal himself to the younger generations of Christians and non-Christians. Some have opportunities to meet other committed Christians through travel and extensive studies abroad (perhaps a bit like the man in Acts 8:26-40).

* Pray that the Government will give land with permission to build more churches.

* In 1951 many Christian bookshops were shut down. Pray for the opening of new bookshops with permission to sell Bibles.

Kuwait is 85% Muslim (Sunni 70%, Shi’a 30%)
15% Christian, Hindu and Parsi (Zorastrianism).

YouTube Link: 09:37 - Kuwait City

Gospel Recordings Link: Kuwait

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY FOR KUWAIT?

Popularity: unranked [?]