Pray for Thailand, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey

Today we conclude our 3 days prayer for Thailand – the “land of the free” Where Buddhist majority is not open to Gospel message.  Pray for mission opportunities, for Christians present there to be powerful witness attracting indigenous people to seek for Christ.

Tomorrow we pray for Tokelau Islands – 3 small islands with about 10 sq kms of land and 1400 people.  The small nation is non-self governing and has not formed governance. Pray for revival and search for more truth among predominantly Congregational Christian and Catholic population.

Monday we lift in prayers Tonga – a Christian kingdom of 171 islands.  The largest presence is that of Mormons.  Adventist Church is 6^th in size after Catholics and Methodists.  Mormons are largest employers, and many people “convert” for the sake of employment, while holding dual affiliation.  Pray for revival and spiritual commitment of believers.  Recent Chinese immigrants have not been reached with the Gospel and remain a segregated community.

Tuesday we pray for Trinidad & Tobago, two islands, the most southern in the Caribbean.  The population presents an interesting mix – 40% of Indian descend, 40% of African & 20% European. There is still racial tension between these communities and it affects the unity of Christian church and outreach.  5% of population are Seventh-day Adventists, which is twice less than most other Caribbean islands. Many Christians are nominal; many others are polluted by witchcraft, Afro-Spiritist beliefs and Hinduism-influenced worldviews.  Family life and morals within the Christian sphere often do not demonstrate the lordship of Christ.  Pray for integrity of Christian life as a witness of Spirit transformation and revival.  

Wednesday we lift in prayer Tunisia.  The most progressive and open country in the Arab world.  It is the site to historical Carthage civilization, and Berber Christians. Yet today predominantly Muslim it has 65% of people unreached by the Gospel at all.  Islam is the state religion claiming 99.7%.  Local islam is very secular and people are more committed to wealth and materialism than pursuing spiritual meaning.  The political unrest that started with 26-year old setting himself on fire in protest i9n December 2010 let to “Arab spring” in January 2011.  Yet comparatively it was least violent of uprisings in the region.  Pray for more openness for mission and Gospel witness.

Thursday we begin 4 days prayer for Turkey. The land of Revelation’s 7 churches and earliest Christianity today is Muslim.   Turkic heritage migrated here 800 year ago, pushed by Mongol invasions, and since then dominated the region, replacing the original Anatolian culture. As Ottoman Empire it ruled Europe, Asia, Arabia & North Africa.  In the 19^th century it’s power declined.  In 20^th century its people rejected Islam as a state religion for secular option. Ataturk abolished muslim schools in 1923 and introduced western laws, script and culture.  Since 1952 it became NATO member against the Soviet empire.  Yet, it remains traditionally muslim and Christian church has very little success. Adventist presence is literally 1 in a million!  Christian churches are present only in 15 out of 80 provinces. Currently there is also unrest as struggle continues between 20% Kurdish minority for independence.  Pray for mission opportunities for people to discover the Gospel.