Prayer Fuel
Hospitality
One should always say yes to an Azerbaijani dinner invitation. As you sit at the table, dish after dish will be served, each one more amazing than the one before.
Appetizers of white cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and fresh herbs. Delicious, ornate salads. Savory chicken stuffed with walnuts and sour cherry paste.
And then comes the crown jewel–the Shah Plov, a golden dome of crispy, buttery crust. When it’s cut open, like a treasure chest, beautiful saffron rice filled with meat, apricots, golden raisins, and chestnuts pours out.
Hospitality in an Azerbaijani home is generous and extravagant. They are always prepared to serve, even unexpected guests. So if you plan to visit an Azerbaijani home, it is good to have a strategy. Pace yourself. Be gracious with compliments. But be ready to say “beste, beste” or “enough, enough.”
Jesus told his disciples, “Truly I tell you, whoever receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives him who sent me.” (John 13:20 CSB)
Receiving hospitality is a bridge of opportunity for sharing Good News about Jesus. As a host shares their best, so we too can share the best we have to offer.
Pray with us…
- Pray that God will stir the hearts of Azerbaijanis to welcome messengers of Good News, not only with generosity, but open hearts and minds to stories about Jesus.
- Pray that Azerbaijani believers will follow the model of Jesus for both giving and receiving hospitality.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will give discernment to believers about who He has prepared to receive the Gospel, and how to share it in a way that it is best received.
