Saturday, July 23
Central Asia
Central Asia consists of the "stan'' countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. The region is blessed, and perhaps cursed, to lie in the center of Asia, with Russia to the north and west, China to the east, and the Middle East to the south. It was through Central Asia that the famous Silk Road passed, linking East and West. Marco Polo traveled this road in the thirteenth century, reaching as far as distant China to visit the fabled Kublai Khan. Genghis Khan conquered the region in the early thirteenth century, creating the largest empire that the world had yet seen, one that stretched from Beijing to Moscow.
The region was traditionally Buddhist, though the Nestorian Christians had established many churches there in the early centuries of the church. However, from the seventh to the tenth century, following a military conquest, the peoples of the area converted to Islam. In the middle of the eighteenth century, Russia began to make inroads into the region, and by the nineteenth century this became a full blown conquest. As Russia slowly conquered Central Asia, moving from north to south, it eventually clashed with the British Empire, which was moving northward from India. The two vied for control of Afghanistan in what became known as the "Great Game.'' The Central Asian nations, with the exception of Afghanistan, were part of the Soviet Union until 1991, when they gained their independence.
During the last two decades, Christianity has made significant progress in the region. Yet fragile intercommunal and governmental relationships exist in particular locations. For this reason, we do not talk about the details of activities in this region. We do this to protect the well-being of national Christians and the safety of mission workers. What we do want to say is that good works are being performed, the gospel is being proclaimed, and churches are growing.
— The Rev. Michael Parker, coordinator, International Evangelism
Let us join in prayer for:
Partners/Ministries
Please pray for people in mission in Central Asia.
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Mark Magrowski, BOP
Peter Maher, BOP
Steven Maier, GAMC
Prayer
God of grace and love, who does not wish "that any should perish but that all should come to repentance,'' open the hearts of the Central Asians that they may be receptive to your gospel truth, encourage the fledgling churches there that they may be bold to witness to your love in Jesus Christ, and protect your people as they seek to be faithful in serving you. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 56; 149
First Reading 2 Samuel 1:1-16
Second Reading Acts 15:22-35
Gospel Mark 6:1-13
Evening Psalms 118; 111