Turkey is the place where east meets the west; old meets new; Christianity meets Islam and the gateway to the Middle East, Central Asia and the Silk Road. Istanbul is the only city situated on two continents, bridging east and west.
Konya city in Turkey
While the vast majority of Turks follow traditional Islamic beliefs Turkey is home to some special Muslim groups. The city of Konya is considered to be the center of Islamic fundamentalism with over 3,000 mosques. It was there in the 13th century, that the brotherhood of the Whirling Dervishes was organized. Men trained to spin themselves into a trance with one hand raised to heaven and the other pointing down to earth. These men became the transmitters of power from heaven to earth. Another significant group are the Alevis. They recognise Ali, the nephew of Mohammed as the prophet and incorporate other religions and cultures into the belief that "God is us-we are the God" (not traditional Islamic belief).
Today, Turkey is governed by three political parties that constantly blame each other for all their problems, while the military is prepared to step in and provide solutions to the political failure. For many, religion is the security in these changing times. Everyday, five times a day - the call to prayer reminds them of what they feel will never change. Yet only 5% of the population attend the mosque.
Turkey's Rich Heritage
Turkey has such a rich Christian heritage to reclaim. The Seven churches of Revelation were all in Turkey. Paul exercised a significant ministry in and around Ephesus (Acts 19:8-12; 23-40). The Cappadocia region had cave churches designed specifically for corporate worship and recently underground cities were discovered that protected the early church from invaders. It has only been since the late 1960's that evangelistic mission work was re-established in Turkey. Today, the church numbers about 1,500 believers and after 20 years of work, a complete modern Bible was finally published in 2001.
Following the earthquake in August, 1999, Turkey was happy to receive help from Christians all over the world. In addition the economic crises in Feb. 2001 halved the value of Turkish money and has left many unemployed. They are being forced into modernity by their desire to join the European Union, but many are struggling to bridge the gap between the two worlds where the parents live out the old values and traditions, while the youth through education realize there are other ways to live.
Flag of Turkey
Map of Turkey
Prayer for the Muslims of Turkey:
* Stand in agreement with the local church for 10,000 believers and many local churches to be established in 50 of the 71 provinces of Turkey by 2005.
* The Harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, may God raise up a work force to serve in this land (Mt. 9.35-38).
* Indigenous worship styles would be birthed and worship leaders would be raised up within the emerging churches.
* The Turkish people would realize the destiny God has ordained for them using their rich gifts of hospitality and hard working servant hearts.
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my heart yearns for them they are such loving people and welcomed me so dearly into their homes and hearts when I visited their country on my own in 2004.
This is the Turkish people I'm talking about.
I did the Seven Churches of Revelation Tour with 2 muslim guides - a private tour because they couldn't get a second person to join us.
See my website for a preview of this tour.
I have all the old and new names of the communities of the seven churches - felt so upset as I saw them changing from the Biblical. Felt compelled to do some sort of artwork to symbolise this. have put it off because I am also absorbed in painting the Stations of the Cross from Jerusalem, visited at the same time.
Wat to do?
Eve
the association islamic charitable of cameroun
Pray for turkey:
* for the 3500 knwon Turksih believers to grow in maurity and numbers
* for Turkish youth to be drawn towards Christ
* for Turkey's leaders to come to Jesus
* for visions, dreams, and revelations of Christ-many Turks come to Christ this way!
* for a breakdown of he mentality "to be turk is to be Muslim"