Pray for Kyrgyzstan

A scattering of small towns and cities lie in the alpine valleys of the Tien Shan mountain range, dwarfed by massive snow-capped peaks that soar into the clouds. Here, the Kyrgyz, a Turkic people influenced by centuries of Central and East Asian history, pray in mosques before walking to work in Russian-style office buildings. Nomads also live throughout Kyrgyzstan, making their homes in round, white yurts among flocks of goats and sheep. These shepherds gather close around glowing campfires at night and sip warm broth from wooden bowls while they tell each other stories. The Kyrgyz all know the epic of Manas, a legend about a powerful warrior and his sons who united Kyrgyzstan and defended it from invaders. Containing over two million words, the entire epic can take storytellers months to recite.

Kyrgyzstan gained independence from the USSR in 1991, but the first two post-Soviet presidents were ousted from power, revealing the people’s disillusionment with the government. Kyrgyzstan only celebrated its first peaceful transfer of presidential power in 2011, and rulers continue to silence and imprison public figures who oppose them. High unemployment and poverty have forced hundreds of thousands to seek work in countries like Russia and Kazakhstan. Other citizens in rural areas have moved to Kyrgyzstan’s cities in search of better economic opportunities, creating a growing population of slum-dwellers. Alcoholism, drug trafficking, gambling, and prostitution have only deepened the nation’s suffering. Tensions with the Uzbek minority sometimes erupt into violence, and Uzbek leaders are disproportionately punished for these outbreaks.

A primarily Muslim nation (93 percent), Kyrgyzstan’s cultural identity is closely tied to Islam.  Kyrgyz Muslims are often resistant to the Gospel, even intimidating believers by destroying property and treating them violently. At the same time, many practice ancestor worship, while cults, belief in demonic forces, and shamanism hold others in spiritual bondage. Only about four percent of the population identify as Christian, most of whom are Orthodox Christians. However, the Church has grown since the fall of Communism, and hundreds of Protestant congregations now exist along with numerous unregistered house churches. The government has placed heavy restrictions on religious activities, fearing that expressions of faith will create instability. Pray for new believers, especially Muslim converts, who need encouragement and discipleship from mature Christians to persevere.