- Pray that God's special grace and encouragement would fall upon all those who were affected by "the code" for the past 4+ years.
- Pray that through this fasting prayer time, the Church in Turkey would experience the power and reality of prayer afresh.
- Pray that the genuine and powerful revival by the Holy Spirit would come upon all those who participated in this fasting prayer time.
Dear fellow workers, I hope this letter finds you well in the Lord.
I am writing to share with you that churches and faith communities in Türkiye have been experiencing many difficulties recently.
As the Bible says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest 1 field," the reality is that there are fewer and fewer workers while the work is increasing. This situation is having a significant impact not only on local workers but also on the churches.
Especially since 2019, this trend has become even more prominent. Among the 159 foreign brothers and sisters who have been helping us by participating in church activities, most have been faced with a situation in which they have no choice but to leave Türkiye, and some are not being allowed entry.
Due to these incidents, about 350 brothers and sisters, including their spouses and children, have been disconnected from the church and its ministry.
This number means a lot to our small number of workers in Türkiye. It is hindering the continuation of church ministry and creating great difficulties and challenges for spiritual growth.
In order to overcome this problem, each of us, the church, and furthermore, the church association are taking various measures, and under the guidance of the Lord, we will continue to move forward.
Because of this situation, we want to work with you.
The Bible encourages us in many places to seek the Lord's face and ask for His will and guidance through prayer and fasting during times of difficulty and trial. (Please let me know if you would like specific Bible verses.)
Current Situation
Our brothers, sisters, and churches who have received the code are experiencing difficulties and trials.
Proposal
We propose to hold a special time of prayer and fasting from February 23rd to 25th to seek the Lord's face together.
Absolutely! Here is the English translation of the text you provided:
How to Participate
If you wish to participate, please refer to the prayer topics listed below to decide when and what to pray for. Share these topics with others as you desire. We also encourage individuals, churches, and organizations overseas who are concerned about this nation and wish to pray and provide support to join us in prayer. We would appreciate it if you could share this letter with others.
Prayer and Fasting Time
Emphasize the importance of this matter to the members of the church, encourage them to participate in the fasting and prayer time, and share this letter we sent together.
During the Sunday service on February 23rd, focus on this topic through prayer, worship, and encourage the brothers and sisters through the sermon.
During this period, gather in small groups at available times each day to pray and worship within the church and have fellowship together.
To strongly conclude the fasting and prayer time on February 25th, arrange a joint prayer and worship time with other churches and organizations in the area, or have a special time within the church.
Prayer Requests
For the brothers and sisters who received the code:
- Let us pray that the brothers and sisters who received the code will gain strength and comfort from the Lord amidst the spiritual and emotional difficulties they are experiencing, and that they will be able to overcome the difficulties they face.
- Let us pray that the Lord will fill the void left by the brothers and sisters who had to leave with new people.
- Let us pray that the ministries left behind after their departure will continue, and that even from afar, their ministry will be a blessing.
- Let us pray that each brother and sister will bear abundant fruit and become a stronger witness in their new location.
- Let us pray that the Lord will open new doors of ministry for them.
- In the midst of the situation where some brothers and sisters had no choice but to leave, we thank God that through them, the Lord's new ministry door has been opened to Turks abroad for the past 6 years. Let us pray that the Lord will bless this ministry, that their spiritual influence will continue even from a distance, and that they will be led according to the Lord's will.
- Let us pray that they will adapt well to their new environment.
- Let us pray that God will provide for their needs.
For the Churches in Türkiye
- Let us pray that new workers will rise up to fill the void left by the brothers and sisters who were deported.
- In the midst of these events that seek to weaken and hinder the growth of the Turkish church, let us pray that the church and its ministry will endure all difficulties and grow stronger.
- Let us pray that local leaders will be raised up within the church.
- Let us pray that the leaders and workers serving in the church and organizations will have wisdom.
- Let us pray that the bond and relationship between the churches will be strengthened so that they can unite and respond together to these difficulties.
- Let us pray that the lawsuits that have been filed and the measures taken to resolve the issues will result in truthful and just decisions.
- Let us pray that the state officials and those involved in making decisions will make the right decisions and show kindness.
- Let us pray for the peace of our country and for the expansion of God's kingdom in this land.
May the Lord guide our path as we seek His face together.
Encouraging Bible Verses
1 Peter 4:12-16
- 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
- 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
- 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler in other people's affairs.
- 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Genesis 50:20
- As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Romans 8:26-28
- 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
- 27 And he who searches hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
- 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his 1 purpose.
1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
- 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
- 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Ephesians 6:18
- And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Matthew 6:9-10
- 9 You then should pray like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
- 10 Let your kingdom come, let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Blessing
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
- 13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
- 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
- 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
- 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.