Category: Asia

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Antakya.

1. TGP’s most recent Saturday Morning Recap featured information about Antakya, Turkey, the NT Biblical city Antioch of Syria. This city was badly damaged by the February 6 earthquakes. On February 20, Antakya was the epicenter for two more major earthquakes. Pray for city residents, most of whom have been living in tents for the past two weeks, as they try to cope with anxiety and uncertainty, that the Lord will reach into their lives with the truth that He can be their unshakable refuge.

2. Samaritan’s Purse opened an Emergency Field Hospital in Antakya on February 13, and has seen over 500 patients since then. Pray that as they minister in Jesus’ name during this crisis, many will place their personal faith in Christ. Additionally, pray for safety for the 100 Samaritan’s Purse personnel working in Turkey. (For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org.)

3. Pray for the Lord to provide for the immediate physical needs of Antakya’s people, as well as their long-term spiritual needs.

Revelation 4:11

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”…But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…

1. Bristol, USA: Pray for 6,000 John & Romans booklets headed for the Ukraine – that multiple people will read each one, resulting in many salvations and much discipleship progress.

2. Foshan, China: Gaoming District: Pray for orphans born in this area to become recipients of both human and divine love.

3. Turkey-Syria Earthquakes: Pray for any request you remember from this prayer emphasis. One ABWE team member “estimates there might be a small group of 10,000 Christians in Turkey alone.”* Considering that the city of Antakya (Antioch) was where believers in Jesus were first called Christians, where the first Christian missionaries were commissioned in Acts 13, and Turkey at large is where Jesus sent the seven letters of Revelation 2-3, it is sad that the number of current believers is so small compared to the country’s total population of 85.3 million people. There are also a few Scriptural references to Syrians (such as Naaman in the Old Testament, and later the Christians in Damascus where Saul was headed) who put their faith in the one true God. So far there are 45,000+ known fatalities from the earthquakes. Statistically speaking, most of those who died were not Christians, which is a greater tragedy than any natural disaster could ever be. Pray for Christians on the ground now who are doing all they can to reach out with the love of Christ. Pray for receptive hearts among the Turks and Syrians. Pray for God to be glorified in the midst of the devastation.

*This quote is from an email from Alex Kocman, Director of Communications and Media for the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism.

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Foshan.

1. Foshan has a population of around 9.5 million, with the Gaoming District area home to around 450,000 people. Pray for every person from Foshan who has a birthday today to have and take the opportunity to be born again into God’s family.

2. Pray for every orphan from the Gaoming District to become the recipient of both human and divine love.

3. Birds are important in Chinese culture. The photo above was taken near a picturesque bridge that supports a highway. Cranes in particular represent everything from “elegance, moral integrity, and personal dignity of the immortals” to wishes for longevity and good luck, and the crane with outstretched wings is said to “reflect an outstanding temperament.” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_in_Chinese_mythology) In truth, these things can only be found in Jesus Christ, so pray for a 21-year-old passing by the above statue today to find the realization of all things necessary for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him Who has called us to glory and virtue. (2 Peter 1:3)

I Corinthians 15:54-58

For the last week, TGP has highlighted prayer requests resulting from the two major earthquakes on February 6th that affected Turkey and Syria. Although today’s post is the last in that series, please continue praying for the people there whose lives have been forever changed.

1. Rescue: Amazingly, at least six people were rescued yesterday, a week after the quakes. Praise the Lord for this, and pray that anyone still alive beneath the rubble will be rescued today.

2. Journalists: pray for the salvation of ten journalists who have been reporting this story to the world.

3. Receptivity: There was a window of time after WW2 in which Japan was open to the gospel as never before. Pray for a similar openness in Turkey and Syria – both in governmental policies allowing Christians entrance/freedom, and in the hearts of people to accept the gospel.

I Corinthians 15:54-58

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Kahramanmaras.

1. These two Google street view pictures were taken in close proximity to each other, so the five children might have known each other. Each of their lives has been forever changed by the earthquakes of February 6. Pray that, if they’re alive today, God will provide for their every physical and spiritual need. If they’re in eternity, pray that God will comfort the hearts of those who grieve for them, as only He can.

2. Anger is a natural stage of grief, as are working through “why” and “if only” thoughts. Pray for the residents of Kahramanmaras who are struggling through those feelings/questions to find peace in the only God Who can bring meaning back to their lives.

3. Pray for an atheist in Kahramanmaras to put personal faith in Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Jableh.

1. Pictured above is an aerial view of an amphitheater built by the Romans in Jableh (then called Gabala). Pray that someone who comes here to sit and reflect on life will find the true meaning and purpose of life in Jesus.

2. As of February 9, Jableh had 283 known casualties from the earthquake (wikipedia.org). Pray for family members grieving the loss of loved ones to meet Christians who will point them to the “Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

3. Pray for the Lord to bless Christians gathering in His name on this Lord’s Day, that they may be encouraged and strengthened to live for Him no matter what the week holds.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Syria.

1. Aleppo, Syria, has been hard hit not only by this week’s earthquake, but also by over a decade of civil war and all the watershed results of that. Many residents live without hope. Pray for the God of redemption to break through their despair, granting His hope and comfort through Jesus.

2. Colder than average temperatures this week continue to hamper both rescue efforts and living conditions for the displaced. Pray for the Lord Who controls all weather to bring a reprieve in conditions, and, in tandem with that, for people to give Him alone glory.

3. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Aleppo Baptist Church to know the continued strength and provision of their Father, Who promises to always be a very present help in trouble for His children.

Psalm 46:1-2

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Iskenderun.

1. Following the earthquake, a major fire broke out at Iskenderun’s port. This brought a halt to port activity. According to the BBC, the fire has now been extinguished for the second time. Pray for workers to be successful in cooling the area, so that the fire does not reignite.

2. At the time of this writing, the death toll from the two quakes has surpassed 15,000 people. Pray for the Lord to enable rescue efforts for those still trapped, and help rescue workers as they mentally process all that they are seeing.

3. Pray, pray, pray for the salvation of those closest to eternity.

Psalm 46:1-2

Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the harvestfield of Nurdagi.

For the next seven days, TGP will feature cities in Turkey and Syria that have been negatively impacted by Monday’s 7.8 earthquake. Please continue overarching prayers for genuine salvation, timely rescue, and needs to be met.

1.   Nurdagi is the town nearest the epicenter of Monday’s large earthquake. They are 8 hours ahead of the US eastern time zone. Pray for the Lord to guide rescuers to kids who are still trapped under debris.

2. Pray for people using their cars as shelters to have a source of warmth as they try to figure out what to do next.

3. Pray for Christians in Nurdagi to know the peace that passes understanding.

Psalm 46:1-2

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed…” Psalm 46:1-2

As Turkey and Syria are left reeling from the devastating February 6, 2023, 7.8 earthquake and severe aftershocks, let us pray frequently and fervently for the following areas:

Salvation: Pray that the Savior will use this tragedy to draw many people to Himself. Pray for anyone who has previously been exposed to His truth to remember that witness, believe it, and call out to the Lord in genuine repentance. Pray for Christians to shine their Father’s light in a very dark night.

Rescue: Pray for as many people as possible to be rescued. Pray for wisdom and stamina for rescue workers. Pray for the Lord to grant warmer temperatures and clear weather to facilitate efforts. Pray for hope for those who desperately await rescue.

Needs: Pray for the provision of physical (food, water, shelter), medical, emotional, and spiritual needs that millions of displaced people are and will be facing. Pray for the most vulnerable – the elderly, children, the disabled – to have compassionate caregivers during this traumatic time.