| 1 Azerbaijan is home to over 7 million Azeri people. Praise God that as we pray, Azeri people will hear and receive the gospel (Revelation 7:9-10). |
2 Azerbaijan is located in the Caucasus Mountains on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Pray that as the Azeri people see the sea and the mountains they will want to learn more about God the Creator. |
| 3 Azerbaijan is located in the area that is called the land of the Medes in the Old Testament. Pray that God’s Word will come alive to the Azeri people and that they will search the Scriptures and trust in Jesus (John 5:39–40). |
4/5 Where else do Azeri people live? Over 7 million of the 25 million Azeri people worldwide live in Azerbaijan. You will also find Azeri people in Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Pray that Christians in these countries will befriend Azeri people and share the gospel with them. |
| 6 Oil and natural gas are plentiful in many parts of Azerbaijan. Pray that the Azeri will worship God, who created these natural resources. |
7 The Persian word azer means “fire.” Azerbaijan is nicknamed “the land of fire” because natural gas escapes from the earth and catches fire. Pray that Azeri people will burn with a desire to know God and to worship Him. |
| 8 In Azerbaijan, fire can appear on water also! Some sick people believe they will be healed if they see flames on a river at night. Pray that the Azeri people will look to God for spiritual healing. |
9 Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that originated near the location of present-day Azerbaijan and Iran, included the worship of fire. Pray that Azeri people will worship God and God alone (Romans 1:25). |
| 10 The Azeri blessing “May you never lack fire” means “May you have a comfortable life.” Pray that the Azeri people will recognize God’s blessings in their lives and will seek to have a personal relationship with Him. |
11/12 The Azeri people are Muslim; these people have a long history of wars with Armenian Christians. Pray that Armenian Christians will display Christ’s love in a way that heals centuries-old wounds. Also pray for a forgiving spirit between the Armenians and the Azeri people. |
| 13 In 700 A.D., as a result of an Arab invasion, Islam became the religion of the Azeri people. Pray that Azeri people will believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. |
14 Islam has two main groups: Shi’a and Sunni. The Azeri people are mostly Shi’a. Neither group believes that Jesus can forgive sins. Pray that the Azeri people will desire to learn the truth about Jesus. |
| 15 For centuries the Azeri people, believing the “spiritual community of Islam” to be more important than a person’s ethnic group, have identified themselves as Muslims. Pray that the Azeri people will become part of Christ’s church (Colossians 1:18). |
16 Azeri women have more freedoms than do women in most other Muslim countries. Pray that Azeri women will find freedom from sin by accepting the forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7). |
| 17 Many Azeri people identify Christianity with the Russians and Armenians who have invaded Azerbaijan. Pray that Azeri people will seek a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. |
18/19 The Jesus film is available in the Azeri language, but the children’s version has not yet been translated. The Bible was translated into Azeri in 1891. A New Testament on audio and a children’s Bible are both available in Azeri. Pray that all Azeri people will have access to printed and audio Scriptures and opportunities to view the Jesus film. |
20 Most Azeri people live in rural areas. They raise cattle, sheep, and goats and grow grain, grapes, vegetables, and tea. Pray that Azeri farmers will want to grow in their knowledge of Jesus
(2 Peter 3:18). |
21 From 1922 to 1991 Azerbaijan was ruled by the Soviet Union; the country was the main supplier of oil for the Soviets. Pray that the Azeri people will ask Jesus to be the ruler of their lives. |
| 22 To protect their culture, Azeri people didn’t marry outside of their extended families until the time of the Soviet rule. Pray that Azeri marriages will be strong and loving. |
23 Traditional Azerbaijani foods include dovga (a soup made with yogurt) and bozartma (mutton stew). Tea is a very popular drink. Pray that the Azeri people will hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). |
| 24 Almost all—98.8 percent—of Azerbaijani people over age 15 can read and write. Pray that all Azeri people will have an opportunity to read God’s Word and discover its life-changing power. |
25/26 In 2007 a Baptist pastor was jailed for two years for “illegal religious services.” While in jail, his family members were forced to pay high prices for his food and water. Pray that this pastor
and other persecuted believers will have a strong faith and a bold witness toward those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). |
| 27 When an Azeri bride leaves her father’s home for the last time, she walks around a fire three times. Pray that Azeri couples will trust in Jesus and will worship Him in their homes. |
28 During the spring festival called Noruz, boys build fires and jump over them in hopes that the bad things from the past year will leave. Pray that the Azeri people will put their faith in Jesus and allow Him to remove their sins. |
| 29 The Azykh cave, one of the earliest known caves to be used by humans, is one of the main tourist attractions in Azerbaijan. Pray that Azeri people will be attracted to God through the lives of His people (1 John 4:12). |
30 The constitution of Azerbaijan promises its citizens freedom of worship. Pray that the Azeri people will find the freedom from sin that comes only through Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:1). |
| 31 Today the Azeri people are unreached with the gospel. Whenever you read or hear about the country of Azerbaijan, please remember to pray that they will become a reached people group! |
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