Featured people group the week of September 4

Garreh of Kenya, Sub-Saharan African Peoples

The Garreh are a sub-tribe of a larger people group known as the Somali.  However, the Garreh have their own distinct language, which is Garreh.  The Garreh are nomadic herders, living in movable huts.  The men care for all the herds of animals, while the women are homemakers and homebuilders.  The decision to move the hut is based on the availability of food for the herds and the weather, and both factors are somewhat unpredictable.  Villages of huts are made up of extended families; however, the divorce rate is high among the Garreh.  The Garreh are devout Muslims, praying 5 times each day, but they do not have a deep understanding of their religion.  They view Christianity as inferior though.  They do believe everyone will give an account for their actions after death, and so believe in doing good works while on earth. In recent years, drought has plagued the area, making it very difficult for these nomadic farmers.  The Garreh also have insufficient healthcare facilities.

Prayer:

Ask God to send forth medical missionaries and supplies to help meet the needs of the Garreh.

Pray that the Lord will raise up additional missionaries who can effectively reach out to Muslims.

Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.

Pray that God will reveal Himself to these precious people through dreams and visions.

Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.

Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Garreh.

Resources:

http://www.imbafrica.org/

http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=11827&rog3=KE

 http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Garreh+of+Kenya&pronoun=6&role=24

Featured people group the week of August 28

Maldivian, Malki of the Maldives, South Asian Peoples

The Maldives are a group of about 2,000 islands in the Indian Ocean, and only about 200 islands are inhabited.  Each of these islands has a chief who grants permission for people to come and go to the island.  The economy of the Maldives is based on fishing, and most people are fishermen, boat builders, or merchants.  The Maldivians speak Maldivian.  They have the highest rate of divorce among the countries of the United Nations.  They follow Islam and the rituals required, but are superstitious and live in fear.  The people remain isolated from the rest of the world.  They need to know Jesus Christ and the peace, redemption, and restoration that comes only from Him.

Prayer:

Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to Maldives and share Christ with the Maldivian.

Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number of Maldivian Christians.

Pray that the Lord will save key Maldivian leaders who will boldly declare the Gospel to their own people.

Ask the Lord to deliver those who are tormented by fear and restore those who have been broken by divorce.

Pray that God will call forth teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Maldivian.

Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Maldivian.

Resources:

http://www.go2southasia.org/

http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=13450&rog3=MV

http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Maldivian+of+Maldives&pronoun=6&role=24

Featured people group the week of August 21

Bania of India, South Asian Peoples

The Bania of India follow the religion of Hinduism.  Traditionally, they make their living through business, trade, farming, and jewelry-making.  The Bania also value art and culture through making floor paintings and performing folk songs.  The primary language of the Bania is Hindi, but there are many secondary languages among the people.

Prayer:

Pray that God will give Banias dissatisfaction with their spiritual lives.

Pray that the veil of deception will be lifted from the eyes of the more than 25,000,000 Bania people so that they will understand that the only true wealth is the spiritual riches gained by receiving Christ as Savior and Lord.

Pray that dedicated workers will be called to work among them, sharing Christ and encouraging them to accept the Holy Spirit’s call to Himself

Pray for developmental and literacy programs among the people.

Resources:

http://www.go2southasia.org/

http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?rop3=111452&rog3=IN

http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Bania+of+India&pronoun=6&role=24

http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2009/08/25

Featured people group the week of August 14

Arab, Saudi-Najdi of Saudi Arabia, North African & Middle Eastern Peoples

The Saudi-Najdi Arabs are also known as Bedouin Arabs.  The Bedouin are comprised of two classes, the nomadic shepherds and the settled farmers. Life is difficult, especially for the nomadic shepherds who have no permanent homes.  They live in sturdy tents in the desert with their tents and animals being their most prized possessions.  Dairy products are the main food, saving meat for special occasions.  A typical meal consists of a bowl of milk, rice, or yoghurt, with a round loaf of bread if available, and dates for dessert.  Because they live in the desert, the Bedouins wear lightweight, light color, loose fitting clothing.  Due to their lifestyle, it is difficult for missionaries to reach them.  Bedouins follow the Islam religion and hold to it strongly.  Saudi Arabia is an extremely challenging place for Christians.  It is the third highest country for persecution to Christians. 

 Prayer:

Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to reach out and share the love of Christ with them.

Pray that God will raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Bedouin.

 Pray for open doors for the Gospel to be preached among them.

Ask the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of the Bedouin Arab towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.

Pray that God will reveal Himself to them through dreams and visions.

Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Bedouin.

Pray for translation of the Bible to begin in this people group’s primary language.

Pray for the availability of the Jesus Film in the primary language of this people.

Resources:

http://namepeoples.imb.org/

http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=10759&rog3=SA

http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Arab,+Saudi+-+Najdi+of+Saudi+Arabia&pronoun=6&role=24

Featured people group the week of August 7

Latvian Jews of Latvia, European Peoples

The Latvian Jews of Latvia are Jewish in name more than in practice.  While this people group lived in Latvia for centuries, more than 90% of Latvian Jews were killed during the Holocaust of WWII.  The Latvian Jews living there today are descendents of Jewish people who moved there from the former Soviet Union after WWII.  Because of that history, Russian is the primary language.  Religion was harshly repressed during Soviet Rule, and although there has been religious freedom since 1991, most of the Latvian Jews are not practicing.  There has been a movement to practice Judaism once again, and Jewish festivals and traditions are being brought back.  One example of this is the bar mitzvah that is held for a teenage boy.  For many people, this ceremony will be the first time they enter a synagogue.  Unfortunately, there is still some persecution of the Jewish people in Latvia.  There has been a rise in the number of evangelicals in Latvia, but only a small number of the Jewish population has begun following Christ.  They are known as Messianic Jews.

 Prayer:

Pray that these Messianic Jews will have the anointing and boldness to share the gospel with their Jewish neighbors.

Pray that Jewish hearts will be softened to hear and accept the gospel message through the local Christian radio programs, and by His servants.

Pray that their eyes will be unveiled and the truth of Jesus will be embraced by Latvian Jews.

Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.

Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Latvian Jew who will boldly declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray for a triumphant Latvian Jew church, to the glory of God’s name!

Resources:

http://imbeurope.org/

http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=19237&rog3=LG

 http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Jew,+Latvian+Speaking+of+Latvia&pronoun=6&role=24

http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2007/02/22

Featured people group the week of July 31

Japanese of Japan, East Asian Peoples

The Japanese are one of the most homogenous people groups in the world.  They have the same biological heritage, are born in Japan, share the same culture, and speak the same language of Japanese.  The country has been influenced by the West, so many people wear Western clothing on a daily basis, reserving traditional clothing for festivals and ceremonies.  The have unique art forms, including flower arranging, tea ceremonies, puppetry, and calligraphy.  Shintoism is the native religion of Japan, but today, most Japanese claim to be Shinto and Buddhist.  Many Japanese appear to have no needs, but have become obsessed with their careers, materialism, and possessions.  Their greatest need is to know God the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.

 Prayer:

Ask the Lord to call laborers to go to Japan and share Christ with the Japanese.

Pray that Christian businessmen will have open doors to share the Gospel with the Japanese.

Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Japanese toward Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.

Pray that Japanese Christians will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with their families and friends.

Pray that Christian radio and television broadcasts will be effective in reaching the Japanese.

Pray that God will raise up teams of intercessors to stand in the gap for these precious people.

Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Japanese.

Resources:

http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org/

http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org/explore/japan/

http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=12322&rog3=JA

http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Japanese+of+Japan&pronoun=6&role=24

Featured people group the week of July 24

Zaza-Dimli of Turkey, Central Asian Peoples

The Zaza-Dimli are also known as the Dimli Kurds.  They differ from other Kurds in two main ways: they speak a distinct dialect of Kurdish and they follow the “Alevi Sect” of Islam.  Other Kurds view them as heretics, which has lead to the Dimli Kurds being isolated.  They live in towns, villages, or as nomadic herdsmen.  Both men and women wear colorful clothing.  The region of Turkey where they live is covered with snow about six months out of the year.  Dimli Kurds do not receive any government resources, so have little education for their children and few jobs for the adults.  There is little Christian evangelism being done in the language of the Dimli Kurds.  Geographically, the people are difficult to reach because of living in areas that are inaccessible by road. 

 Prayer:

Ask God to grant wisdom to those who are working to get Scriptures to the Dimili Kurds in this remote area of Turkey.

 Pray that the Dimili Kurds who hold Christ in high regard will begin to look to Him for peace in their lives.

 Pray that God will reveal Himself to them as they search for the truth.

 Pray that God will raise laborers who can effectively minister the Gospel to these Muslim Kurds.

Ask God to create a hunger in the hearts of the Dimili Kurds and an openness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 Ask God to raise Christian health-care personnel who can minister to the physical needs of these people.

 Pray that God will call Christian teachers to work among the Dimili Kurds.

 Pray that a strong Christian work will be established among the Dimili Kurds.

 Pray for translation of the Bible to begin in this people group’s primary language.

 Pray for the availability of the Jesus Film in the primary language of this people.

 Pray for Gospel messages to become available in audio format for this people group.

 Resources:

http://centralasianpeoples.imb.org/

 http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=11560&rog3=TU

 http://www.prayerguard.net/index.php?page_id=11&target=Zaza-Dimli+of+Turkey&pronoun=6&role=24