The ancestors of the Turks founded the powerful Ottoman Empire which lasted from the 14th through the early 20th century. This 600-year empire began with raids by Turkish warriors and ended with the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of WWI. It was the last Muslim empire. Turks are proud of their history. The Russian Empire was among those that was an enemy of the Ottomans.

Like many young people in today's world, the new generation of Turks living in Moscow is very concerned with the pursuit of pleasure. Food, drink and dating are among their top priorities. Though they are officially Muslim, their worldview is secular. Many do not practice Islam, seeing it only as their heritage and culture, not as something that affects their daily lives. Many Turkish people have immigrated to Russia since 2000, mostly by marriage to Russian citizens. Many have been deprived of political and social privileges and have been prohibited from owning property and employment. Although the Bible, the JESUS Film, audio recordings, and other resources have been available in the Turkish language for decades, this people group has been very resistant to the gospel, and they remain unreached.

The Turks are nominally Sunni Muslim, believing in one god (Allah), and an eternal heaven and hell. "Sunni," is derived from the Islamic term, sunnah, which means "well-trodden path." Sunnis believe that the correct path is that of the majority. Therefore, the tradition of the Sunni is political conformism, though the Turks have been more flexible than many of their Muslim neighbors. Other Turks are more secular in their beliefs, though they visit the mosque for special events. Some also hold to pre-Islamic beliefs as well. For example, some believe that men have the power to curse others by giving them the "evil eye."

Turkish people in Russia are nominally Muslim. They need to see past their inherited religious customs, and their empty life pursuits of enjoyment and fulfillment. They need to see the emptiness of alcohol, drugs, and immoral sexual relationships, and have their hearts touched so that they will begin to long for something more.

Ask the Lord to capture their hearts and use them to reach their families and countrymen in Russia and in Turkey for Christ. Pray for the fervent believers to reach out in faith and love to the Muslim Turks among them. Pray for a spiritual hunger among Turks that will be satisfied by none other than the only Savior, Jesus Christ. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Turks to spread far and wide throughout Russia.

Scripture Prayers for the Turk in Russia.