Police Raid Area Around Turkmenistan's Only Church in Balkanabat

Open Doors reports that police in Turkmenistan carried out raids around the only Christian church in the city of Balkanabat. At least 50 Turkmen citizens were taken away for questioning, the ministry says in its prayer bulletin for October 12.

The bulletin, filed under Central Asia, gives no further details about the church, those who were questioned or what happened to them afterward. Open Doors asks readers to pray with believers living under oppression in the country.

Few of us could find Balkanabat on a map, but the believers there are our family in Christ. One church in a whole city shows how small and exposed the body of Christ can be in some places. Hebrews 13:3 tells us to remember those who are mistreated as though we were there with them.

Pray today for the people taken for questioning and for their families, and for the church in Balkanabat to stand firm. Pray also for the officers who carried out the raids, that they would come to know the Lord. Ask God to give His people in Turkmenistan courage and peace as they wait to see what comes next.

Read Hebrews 13:3