Azerbaijan

Challenges for Prayer

Azerbaijan remains a politically volatile nation. The conflict with Armenia remains unresolved, with both sides manipulating the suffering of many for their own advantage. Regional tensions – involving Russia and its southern republics, Turkey, Georgia, Iran and with NATO – complicate matters further. Azerbaijani military spending is at an all-time high, and no long-term solution to any problem has been found, with most players being intransigent on key issues. Pray for stability and a genuine will to make peace in and around Azerbaijan.

Christian help ministries. Pray for the impact of:

a) Christian literature. There is a quickly growing collection of Christian books in Azeri (more than 100, with another 20-30 in progress), the majority of them published unofficially. Pray for this vital and strategic work. There are a couple of Christian bookstores in Baku.

b) Bible translation. The Azeri Bible is available in both North and South Azeri, and the NT in audio format for North Azeri. Translation needs are most keenly felt among the minority Caucasus languages.

c) Christian radio/audio. There is a notable lack of radio programmes in Azeri. This is a matter for prayer, both for programme development and for stations from which to broadcast. Christian audio programmes on cassette/CD are available in 12 languages through GRN. Increasing numbers of worship songs are being written and released in Azeri musical genres and language.

d) The JESUS film is available in Avar, North Azeri, Kurmanji, Lezgi, Russian and Talysh.

     For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.