SILK ROAD PRAYER GUIDE TURNS ATTENTION TO "OBSCURE" CENTRAL ASIA

A PRAYER GUIDE that takes people along the historic Silk Road traveled by famed explorer Marco Polo has been published to focus attention on the overlooked region of Central Asia.

The booklet aims to highlight the physical and spiritual needs of the 215 million Turkic and Persian people living in the 11 countries sandwiched between the Middle East and the Far East - the majority of whom have never heard the gospel.

The guide has been produced by Youth With A Mission's Central Asia Frontier Mission Center in England and is being distributed to individuals, churches and other Christian organizations in Europe and the United States.

From Istanbul, Turkey to the far end of the famous caravan trading route in Western China, the 52-page publication provides historical and cultural background on different countries and cities, along with specific prayer points. Turkey, Afghanistan and the former Soviet republics of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are among the places featured.

While the strength of opposition to Christianity in the predominantly Muslim area varies, "nowhere do Christians enjoy the freedom which we in the West take for granted," says the guide. "In many areas Christians are experiencing persecution because of their faith. The pressing need is to take advantage of the opportunities that currently exist, before they disappear completely."

Praying Along The Silk Road was created by Mark Gerstenberg, a member of the CAFM office, which coordinates prayer and logistical support for the 100 or so YWAM workers in the region. Because overt evangelism is prohibited, most are involved in business, educational and community development projects and share their faith through the personal relationships that they make.

"We felt that this area was really quite obscure for many people, and wanted to do something to change that," he said. "Not much news comes out of the region and when it does it tends to be negative - like the problems in Afghanistan and Dagestan. But there is a rich culture, and the people are very friendly.

"Central Asia is one of the last areas of the world in which the Church is finally emerging after centuries of darkness. Restrictions on Christian witness mean that most people have never heard the gospel, and in most instances there are no scriptures available in the local languages."

Central Asia: Praying Along The Silk Road - CAFMC, PO Box 177, Haywards Heath, Sussex RH17 5YT, England; World Christian News, PO Box 26479, Colorado Springs, CO 80936, USA.

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