This month’s unreached people group are Kazakhstan’s Kazakh people. There are 11.9 million Kazakh in this country with only around 80,000 believers among them.
The Kazakh are predominantly Muslim and the second largest Islamic group in Central Asia. Traditionally, they were nomadic shepherds; however, under Soviet rule, much of their land was seized and used for farming. As industry developed, their economy and culture became entirely dependant on the Russians. Today, however, there is a widespread movement to redevelop their own cultural identity.
Many traditional Kazakh folk practice animism and ancestor worship. Animism is the belief that non–human objects have spirits. Ancestor worship involves praying and offering sacrifices to deceased ancestors.
HOW TO PRAY
- Praise God for the growing number of Kazakh Christians. Pray that they would learn the Word of God quickly.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of Kazakhs towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the gospel.
- Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Kazakhs.
Why not adopt the Kazakhs for prayer this month with your children, in your Bible study or in your church?