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Friday, May 2, 2014 To hear an mp3 recording of the PrayerLine, click here. http://media1.imbresources.org/files/198/19857/19857-108908.mp3 “Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12, HCSB) Hi, this is Eleanor Witcher of IMB’s prayer office, encouraging you to pray for the Turks of Europe. Europe offers Muslim Turks hopes of health, wealth and education. Many Turks immigrate to countries in Western Europe to make their fortunes, educate their children, and return to Turkey to retire and live well. However, this happy ending does not come without a high price. Resistance to integration has resulted in Turkish communities that are fully self-contained--from mosque to hairdresser, with every kebab shop in between. Turkish women are able to live decades in a European country without learning the host country language. Lack of language learning and failure to assimilate into society is the root of much prejudice, bitterness and hatred toward the immigrants.  Turks in their homeland are the ultimate hosts, but in Europe, they are often the unwanted guests. The mosques or Islamic centers are the heartbeat of the Turkish community, with the “hoja” (teacher) being not only the spiritual advisor, but oftentimes the community watchdog that protects the community from Western influence. Some Turks become post-modern in their perspective, abandoning their Islamic faith and becoming atheistic in their beliefs. Strongholds of fear and skepticism make it difficult for non-Turks or non-Muslims to become a part of Turkish communities. However, a small number of evangelical churches are creating projects such as afterschool homework help, coat closets, food pantries, Internet cafes, and book tables in order to engage Turkish neighbors. By serving and befriending them, evangelicals hope to impact the Turks with the Gospel.  * Please pray that God’s people will be able to penetrate the walls that block real, meaningful contact. * Intercede for the beginning Bible study groups and the few existing Turkish-language churches to be well established and become a good outreach to their people group.  * Pray also for the language centers that have been set up, asking that workers will be well equipped and attract those seeking to know God.

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