Praying for Turkmenistan If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.  - John 14:14

Geography President: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow Land area: 488,100 sq km Two populated strips of irrigated land on its northern and southern borders, separated by the barren Kara-Kum Desert. Only 1% of the country is irrigated, arable land; 80% is desert. Population: 5,351,277 Capital: Ashgabat Official language: Turkmen using Latin script as in Turkey since 1994. Languages: 9

Once made a part of the Soviet Union, Turkmen property was taken, traditions were removed, and the Turkmens' nomadic lifestyle came to an end. Turkmenistan gained its independence from the Soviet Union in the 1990s, but change has been very slow. Communist rule was replaced by a dictatorship until 2006 (Saparmurat Niyazov).

Turkmenistan has had difficulty rising to its feet, even under the rule of a new president elected under the first multi-candidate election in 2007. Rising crime, poverty, unemployment, and drug use have made progress difficult. The administration, although claiming to be a presidential republic and secular democracy, has often operated under more authoritarian rules, sacrificing certain human rights and religious freedoms. 

Although the constitution claims religious freedom, the reality is quite different. With Sunni Islam (89%) and Russian Orthodoxy (9%) considered the only two legal religions, persecution of other faiths is prevalent. Unregistered religious gatherings are forbidden, often suffering grave consequences. But persecution and restriction have only strengthened the Turkmen Church.

Prior to independence, Christianity was mostly non-existent, but today there are as many as 1,000 followers of Jesus. With all foreign missionaries expelled, several pastors exiled, beaten, or imprisoned, and the Bible not yet fully translated, the spread of the Gospel in Turkmenistan faces great challenges. Yet, the church continues to grow amid constant threat.

Religion 94,730 1,718 4,977,724 96.16 Religion Pop % Ann Gr Christians Largest Religion: Muslim Religion                 Pop % Ann Gr Christians 94,730 1.83 -2.1 Evangelicals 1,718 2.1 Muslim 4,977,724 96.16

Prayercast Turkmenistan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1ZXsbomLo4 The atmosphere of the country is experiencing positive change. Turkmen citizens can travel abroad and within the country much more easily. Two Protestant churches have recently been allowed to officially register and meet publicly.

Evangelicals - challenges Christian radio programmes started in Turkmen in 2001. Pray for all involved in producing and airing these programmes. The JESUS film, video and audio tapes are available in Turkmen, and it has been occasionally shown on national TV. Pray for the lasting impact of this film.

The Church in Turkmenistan Mission Eurasia works in Turkmenistan and the other countries of Eurasia to train and equip young Christian leaders for effective ministry. https://missioneurasia.org/turkmenistan/ OPEN DOORS https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/turkmenistan/

Prayer points Pray for new Bibles for house churches whose literature has been confiscated and destroyed. Pray for open doors for humanitarian organizations to meet practical as well as spiritual needs. Pray for governing authorities to abandon the strict policies controlling religious activity. Pray for Christians in the country to stand firm and for Christians elsewhere to speak up against hostility. Pray for the work on both the NT and OT to be completed quickly.