Pray for Azerbaijanis

Strategic prayer for a Disciple Making Movement

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God revealed through Scripture

An Azerbaijani believer shared that her faith journey started when she was reading the Quran. She read that Islam has four books–the Towrat revealed to Moses (Torah), the Zabur revealed to David (Psalms), the Injil revealed to Jesus (Gospel), and of course the Quran revealed to Mohammed. 

Since the Injil was regarded by the Quran as a heavenly book of Islam, she determined that she must read it to be a good Muslim. She went to an Islamic book store to find an Injil, but the storekeeper told her it was a Christian book. It was a North American friend that helped her find an Injil. Now her family is following Jesus.

Azerbaijani speakers have only had the complete Bible in modern Azerbaijani since 2008. There are two Scripture translations. One translation has an Arabic alphabet for Persian-influenced Azerbaijanis in Iran. The other one has a Latin alphabet for Russian-influenced Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan Republic.

Though these translations are available, most Azerbaijanis do not know how to get one. Only one bookstore in the whole country of Azerbaijan sells the Bible. Printed Bibles are nearly impossible to distribute to Azerbaijanis in Iran.

Pray with us…

  • Pray that God’s Word will be shared widely among Azerbaijanis so that they may hear Good News and learn how to follow the Way of Jesus.
  • Pray that Azerbaijanis will search for and find electronic versions of Scripture through websites and mobile apps.
  • Pray the promise of Isaiah 55:10-11: that God’s word will not return to him empty, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it. 
  • Pray for translation work on new colloquial translations in Iran and Azerbaijan. These translations better reflect the Azerbaijani language as it is spoken in the home and the marketplace.

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Harvest Workers are Few

July 1, 2024

As God answers our prayers and draws Azerbaijanis to himself, they need Christian brothers and sisters to teach them how to follow Jesus. Now more than ever, there is a great need for more harvest workers to find those who God has prepared to receive Jesus, and welcome new believers into his Kingdom.

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Spiritually Ready

June 30, 2024

Though Azerbaijanis are not always religious, they consider themselves to be spiritual people. Many are ready to hear Good News about Jesus, but they have not met a believer who can share with them.

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Bread is Life

June 29, 2024

For Azerbaijanis, bread is life. No meal is complete without bread at the table. And there are some remarkable cultural practices related to bread that have some spiritual implications. 

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Singing and Dancing

June 28, 2024

Their dancing can tell you much about the culture. Despite many hardships and challenges, there is much goodness in life to celebrate. So they celebrate with much fervor.

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Taking Time for Tea

June 27, 2024

The most important thing is taking time for relationships. Azerbaijanis will drop everything to spend time with a friend. In fact, attending to an unexpected guest can be an acceptable excuse for being late to an appointment. 

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Relationship Networks

June 26, 2024

Azerbaijanis have a collectivist culture, where loyalty, sharing, and helping others are strong values. When one has a need, and the other has a resource, it is a natural thing to share.

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Hospitality

June 25, 2024

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.

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Blessings

June 24, 2024

Giving these kinds of blessings are common for Azerbaijani people. Frequently, the name of God is invoked on behalf of the person being blessed. Whether it is a blessing of compassion or gratitude, the blessing is an offering of kindness. 

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Nagorno Karabakh Conflict

June 23, 2024

The wounds of war press heavily on the hearts of the Azerbaijani people.  Everyone knows someone who has been directly affected. Many have lost loved ones or are family to those returning from the war, still bearing the war physically or mentally.

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Hardships for Women

June 22, 2024

Women have a vital role in the life and leadership of the church. In Iran, the house church movement is largely led by women. Women in Iran know that part of the punishment for practicing Christianity in the underground church includes rape and torture.

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Economic Hardships

June 21, 2024

Life is hard, and getting ahead is seemingly impossible. But when Azerbaijanis hear of a friend in need, they often invoke this blessing: “May God give you help”.

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Finding Isa in Islam

June 20, 2024

When you talk to devout Muslims, you discover that they actually hold Jesus (Isa Mesih) in high regard. He is considered one of the great prophets of Islam. Jesus is mentioned in the Quran more times than any other person.

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The Legacy of Abraham

June 19, 2024

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of nations. Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike look to Abraham as the progenitor of their faith traditions. 

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All the Books of Islam

June 17, 2024

When asked about the other books of Islam--the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel--many Muslims have a ready response. They say the other books were corrupted, and lost their meaning over time.

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Oppression of Islam

June 16, 2024

In Iran, 40 years of theocratic rule has driven people away from Islam. They blame religious leaders for their hardships. The promises of a golden age under Islamic rule have been proven empty. Many people are becoming atheists, but a substantial number are turning to Jesus.  

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To be Azerbaijani is to be Muslim

June 15, 2024

Most Azerbaijanis are Muslim in name only. Most have very limited knowledge of what Islam actually teaches. Most have never read the Qur’an. Most do not observe the daily prayers.

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Renewing Religious Commitment

June 14, 2024

Amidst these religious explorations, there is also an opportunity for Christians to share their faith during this time of spiritual reflection. As Azerbaijan promotes religious tolerance, Christians can find avenues to engage in dialogue and fellowship, fostering understanding and mutual respect across religious boundaries.

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Settling Debts

June 13, 2024

Despite these challenges, Azerbaijanis strive to uphold the tradition of paying off debts during Novruz, often relying on support from extended family networks and community resources to alleviate their financial burdens.

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Returning Home

June 12, 2024

Throughout the country, bustling city streets empty as Azerbaijani families embark on journeys to their rural hometowns, carrying with them gifts, traditional foods, and heartfelt greetings. The journey home is filled with anticipation, laughter, and anticipation, as loved ones eagerly await their arrival.

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Happy New Year!

June 11, 2024

Today, people throughout Iran and Azerbaijan are joyfully celebrating Novruz, a vibrant and ancient festival marking the arrival of spring and the start of a new year. Novruz, which translates to "new day" in Persian, holds deep cultural and historical significance for Azerbaijanis, symbolizing renewal, hope, and prosperity.

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Spring Cleaning

June 10, 2024

As the last remnants of winter fade away, preparations for Novruz are in full swing. Novruz is the Persian New Year, which is celebrated at the spring equinox. This year, it falls on Tuesday, March 19th.

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Land of Holy Fire

June 9, 2024

The word “azerbaijan” in ancient Persian means “land of holy fire.” Among Azerbaijani people, the ways of the past are deeply rooted in their culture. 

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Life and Witness of Believers

June 8, 2024

For Azerbaijani believers, it is an unsettling truth that most of the people they know and love do not know Jesus. They may be the only Jesus followers in their workplace, their school, their apartment building, or even their own home.

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Interest in Their Ancient Christian Heritage

June 7, 2024

Christians in Azerbaijan and Iran can look to their ancient Christian heritage as a source of inspiration and hope. A resurgent interest in their ancient Christian past can lead curious Muslims to ask questions about Jesus.

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Gospel Films and Social Media

June 6, 2024

In response to quarantines, several churches began livecasting their church services and prayer meetings on Facebook and Instagram. Azerbaijanis who would never visit a church have been secretly watching these livecasts to see what Christianity is all about.

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Miracles and Answered Prayers

June 5, 2024

Muslims around the world are turning to God in desperation--and discovering that He answers prayers when they ask God in the name of Jesus.

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Dreams and visions

June 4, 2024

Visions and dreams are a very real part of the spiritual life of Muslims. They often accept them as signs from God. This seems strange to Westerners, but it is very common for Azerbaijani believers to share that seeing Jesus in a dream was part of what compelled them to follow him.

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God revealed through Scripture

June 3, 2024

Though the Bible is available, most Azerbaijanis do not know how to get one. Only one bookstore in the whole country of Azerbaijan sells the Bible. Printed Bibles are nearly impossible to distribute to Azerbaijanis in Iran.

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A People Separated

June 2, 2024

For centuries the Azerbaijani people were situated between three great empires--the Persian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire. A common language gave them a close bond with Turkish people. A common religious tradition gave them a close bond with Persian people. 

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Who are the Azerbaijani people?

June 1, 2024

Perhaps you have never heard of the Azerbaijani people. So it may be surprising to learn that there are 40 million of them.

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