You may recall that in January I challenged you all to pick one restricted nation a month to pray for. This month I will be praying for the nation of Turkey, but you may choose from any number of the restricted nations on the Voice of the Martyrs Restricted Nations page to pray for. As we have done in the previous two months, leave us a comment who you'll be praying for and let's make a difference for the kingdom of God for those suffering in restricted nations. Amen!

Turkey

DESCRIPTION

Turkey has experienced political turmoil caused by the struggle between secular proponents, urban moderates and rural Islamist forces vying for government control. Talks over membership in the European Union have repeatedly faltered. There appears to be no sign that Turkey will embrace true religious freedom. In August 2007, Turkey took a step back toward a religiously controlled state when they elected as president a former proponent of political Islam. Category: Restricted Nation Religion: Muslim 99.64%, Christian 0.32% Ideology: Islam Head of State: President Abdullah Gul Despite government claims and a constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, Christians do not enjoy freedom of religion in many areas. Politicians, police and the growing Islamist movement are hostile to anything Christian. Foreign missionaries are not given visas. The media portrays Christians as foreign government agents and spreads rumors that Christians bribe young people with money and sex. The public tends to believe these false accusations. A VOM contact has reported people throwing things at him, spitting at him and verbally abusing him for talking about Christ. He was also interrogated by the police after handing out New Testaments. On Feb. 12, 2009, a Turkish Bible Society bookstore in the city of Adana was vandalized by Muslim extremists for the second time in a week. A court trial continues for two men accused of killing two Turkish Christians and one German Christian in Malatya in 2007.

Comments

[Sarah Itterman]

Hi Stacy!

Thanks for posting everything you do about the persecuted church!! You are a great blessing!! Thank you!

~Sarah~

[Stacy Harp]

Thanks Sarah. I appreciate your encouragement.

[Betsy]

I am thrilled to have this site to go to for information needed to pray specifically for God's children who are suffering for their faith.
I am praying for China this month (and from now on). I have even been wakeing up in the middle of the night, praying for specific martyrs whom I have read about. I want to be faithful in praying and caring for these brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Stacy Harp]

Very cool Betsy. I know I often pray for China too. They have a huge underground church and I think it would be cool to go to one of their services. Thanks for commenting!