The relatively small population of this vast desert country situated in Central Asia, are wandering in a spiritual wilderness left there by years of oppression. A sense of hopelessness prevails among the people. Believer's meetings, considered illegal, are often disrupted. Christian leaders are imprisoned and threatened with the loss and confiscation of their belongings. Believers and their families are intimidated. KNB spies are rife, infiltrating all aspects and levels of society. Amid all this, Christ is bringing hope and life to people. Many Christian believers remain strong, despite the intense persecution. When persecuted Christians are asked what other believers can do for them, the number one request is, "Will you pray for me?"

Crackdowns in Turkmenistan

Here is one example of a recent crackdown against Christians. When investigating a car wreck the police the found a box of Christian videos dubbed in the Turkmen language. The Turkmen Christian believers in the accident were subjected to repeated beatings, electric shocks and other forms of torture while under interrogation. Finally in the judge's decision concerning this case, he allowed the believers released from prison sentences, in exchange for oppressive fines. They were forced to sign a statement declaring that they "voluntarily" donate everything they owned as a "gift to the President". All their identity documents, as well as the ownership papers of their homes and cars, were confiscated.

Turkmenistan Flag

Map of Turkmenistan

Let us join together with our brothers and sisters and pray that the "God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath their feet" (Romans 16:20). A Turkmen national, after visiting a nation which is influenced by Christian values, has said, "Now I know what freedom really is". Let us continue to pray that the Spirit of Christ will set more people free in Turkmenistan.

Pray for the Muslims in Turkmenistan:

* May God open doors for Christians to go and serve the Turkmen people in ways that will enable this nation to be fruitful and prosperous.

* May Muslims come into a saving relationship with our heavenly Father through the risen Christ (John 17:1-3).

* Pray for the authorities of Turkmenistan including all the men who hold places of authority: from political leaders to their local authorities, policemen, Imams, etc (1 Tim. 2:1-5).

* Pray for the protection for the believers and for boldness to share with other Turkmen concerning the great treasure that they have found.

Background on Turkmenistan (World Factbook)

Eastern Turkmenistan for centuries formed part of the Persian province of Khurasan; in medieval times Merv (today known as Mary) was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road. Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President Saparmurat NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects were to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to develop alternative petroleum transportation routes in order to break Russia's pipeline monopoly.

Economy of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is a largely desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton; formerly it was the world's 10th-largest producer. Poor harvests in recent years have led to an almost 50% decline in cotton exports. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform.

About Turkmenistan

Population: 4,997,503 (July 2011 est.) World rank #115

Life Expectancy at Birth: 68.52 years. World rank #151

Ethnic groups: Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6%

Religions: Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%

Languages: Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Literacy: 98.8% -- Male: 99.3%, Female: 98.3%

Video: The Importance of Turkmenistan

Analyst Eugene Chausovsky looks at the geopolitics behind Turkmenistan's importance to players beyond its Central Asian neighbors

Related Posts

• Pray for Muslims in Kazakhstan (4)
  Kazakhstan is the size of most of Western Europe, with 16 million inha...
• Love Tajikistan (8)
  The Tajiks are descendants from the Persians and are closely linked wi...
• Love Azerbaijan (4)
  Azerbaijan is a land of high mountain ranges and low river valleys, bo...
• Pray for the “Mountain Tatars” of Kabardino- Balkaria (3)
  Centuries later the Balkar homeland was finally annexed to Russia. The...
• Pray for Tatar Muslims and Tatarstan (9)
  In the last 15 years there has been a significant surge of Islam in Ta...

Turkmenistan is not often a subject of the international news media but it did get some attention in December 2006 when its eccentric president, Saparmurat Niyasov, suddenly died. Turkmenistan is an independent nation between Iran and Uzbekistan. Almost 90% of its territory is sand or gravel desert, while the people live mainly alongside riverbanks and in various oases. The desert hides huge oil and gas deposits.

Turkmenistan is the fifth largest supplier of natural gas worldwide. Even though the country receives large revenues from the hydrocarbon resources, inequality is rampant and most Turkmen struggle to survive. However, shiny marble luxury buildings pop up everywhere in the Capital city of Ashgabat.

Missionaries Expelled

Beginning in 1998, almost all missionaries were expelled by the Turkmen government. Since then all religious activities have been highly repressed. House group meetings of any kind are prohibited and people found attending secret religious meetings risk losing their home and their job. The Turkmen intelligence services carefully watch those known to be believers as well as all foreigners.

Nevertheless the church does continue to grow slowly in Turkmenistan. There are about 700-1,000 believers in the country and numbers of underground house groups that meet in secret. Two Russian speaking Christian churches have been given official permission to gather. Unfortunately the registered churches and most of the underground house groups are Russian speaking - believers are still praying for the emergence of an indigenous Turkmen speaking communities of believers. While a useable New Testament is available in the Turkmen language, the translation badly needs revision to correct some mistakes and make it more contemporary. The Old Testament translation is still in progress.

Turkmenistan Flag

Map of Turkmenistan

Prayer Starters:

* The Turkmen are disillusioned and are looking for the Truth. There is a huge need for people who can disciple believers and help forming strong, multiplying communities of faith that speak Turkmen and are accepted as part of the Turkmen culture.

Oppression

Turkmenistan has one of the most oppressive regimes of the world. The former president instituted a bizarre personality cult. He erected gold plated statues of himself all over the country and his portrait hung in every public room and on the outside of every public building. He wrote a book called "Ruhnama" whose teaching rules much of the daily life. Today, an entire generation has already undergone extensive brain washing.

The new president, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, has promised to continue Niyasov's political heritage. School children are still required to memorise portions of the former president's "holy book" Ruhnama. There is no critical voice or opposition allowed in the country and the government continues to control all media.

Video: People of Turkmenistan

Related Posts

• Turkmenistan’s repression (6)
  A Turkmen national, after visiting a nation which is influenced by Chr...
• Pray for Muslims in Kazakhstan (4)
  Kazakhstan is the size of most of Western Europe, with 16 million inha...
• Love Tajikistan (8)
  The Tajiks are descendants from the Persians and are closely linked wi...
• Love Azerbaijan (4)
  Azerbaijan is a land of high mountain ranges and low river valleys, bo...
• Pray for the “Mountain Tatars” of Kabardino- Balkaria (3)
  Centuries later the Balkar homeland was finally annexed to Russia. The...