Karakalpak in Türkiye (Turkey)
The Karakalpaks in Turkey are generally poor, and unemployment is high, but people do what they can to make a living, working on their vegetable plots and gardens, fishing, selling at markets, raising livestock, doing casual or seasonal jobs, etc. There is no social security system, just a network of local committees who can provide temporary support for the severely destitute. Karakalpak societies are patrilineal, which means that the line of descent is traced through the males. Large families are the ideal, and the nuclear family is composed of as many as four generations in the same household. The Karakalpaks believe that families who share meals together will stay close. The majority of Karakalpak boys and girls receive schooling up to the age of 15 or 16. Although school attendances have fallen since independence in 1991, the great majority of both boys and girls are still enrolled in primary schools. Literacy rates are high. Girls often marry at age 16 or 17 right after they finish school. Rites of passage are important to the Karakalpak people. When a baby is born, a Karakalpak mother will invite all family members to come meet the baby. They embrace marriages as the way to merge two families and keep their family lines alive. They celebrate weddings for days with music, dancing, speeches, and feasts. When someone dies, there are rituals that the bereaved family must do while mourners come to extend their sympathy. A Muslim mullah will lead the procession to the graveyard where he utters the final prayers. The family is responsible for burying the deceased.
What Are Their Needs?
Very few Karakalpaks have ever heard the gospel; among those who have heard, very few have responded. There are only a few reported church members among the Karakalpak people in any country where they reside.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a movement to Christ among the Karakalpak people.
Pray for a Jesus movement among the Karakalpaks in Turkey that will spread joy, peace, reconciliation, and salvation to other peoples in Central Asia.
Pray for the Karakalpak culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Karakalpak family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray that soon the Karakalpak people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.
Use these resources to help pray specifically each day.
Jeremiah 30:17 declares: "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds."
ReadRevelation 21:4, that You "will wipe every tear from their eyes."
ReadIs. 43:2 "...when you pass through the waters [God] will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned…"
Read"...that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
ReadMatthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."
Read"My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…not as the world gives" John 14:27
Read"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
Read"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Cor. 1:3-4
Read"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Is. 41:10
Read"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Ps. 34:18
Read"throne of grace with confidence, so that [they] may receive mercy and find grace"
Read"Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!" Psalm 150:6
ReadJohn 4:14, "whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst again."
ReadPsalm 117:1, "Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth."
ReadPsalm 113:3: "Everywhere—from east to west—praise the name of the Lord."
ReadPsalm 107:8: "Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them."
ReadPsalm 106:1: "Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."
ReadPsalm 104:1: "Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty."
ReadPsalm 100:4, "...enter his gates with thanksgiving... and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name."
ReadPsalm 98:4 says, "Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!"
ReadPsalm 96:4, we declare together: "Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods."
ReadPsalm 95:1: "Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation."
ReadPsalm 86:12: "With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever"
ReadPsalm 66:4: "…I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long."
ReadPsalm 66:4 declares: "Everything on earth will worship you; they will sing your praises, shouting your name in glorious songs."
ReadPsalms 63:3 declares, "Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!"
ReadPsalm 48:1, "How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain!
ReadPsalm 47:6, "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!"
ReadPsalm 34:1, "I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises."
ReadPsalm 33:1, "Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise Him."
ReadPsalm 30:4, "...sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name."
ReadPsalm 29:2 to "Honor [You] for the glory of [Your] name" and "worship [You] in the splendor of Your holiness."
ReadPsalm 19:1, "...Heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display [Your] craftsmanship."
Read“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them…” Acts 19:6
ReadActs 13:2 records, “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul…’”
Read"Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:17
Read“God anointed Jesus [to bring the Good News]… with the Holy Spirit and power.” Acts 10:38
Read"Jesus…has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:17
Read"Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:17
Read“We are witnesses… and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:32
Read“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31
Read“...in the last days, [You][ will pour out my Spirit on all people..." Acts 2:17
Read