The economy of Azerbaijan is largely dependent on the global oil prices as oil is their main export. Three economic areas that Azerbaijan is moving to develop are agriculture, logistics, and tourism[1]. Azerbaijan is a restricted nation for living out and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, where raids on “illegal” church gatherings are common and Christian converts from Islam face intense persecution from their community[2]. This nation is also at war with Armenia over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. While Azerbaijan is a Muslim nation of nearly 8 million citizens, Christianity is spreading through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Finally, Azerbaijan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor & sex trafficking[3]. Let’s Pray…

-God we lift up your Christians in Azerbaijan, and pray for freedom and safety as they engage with your gospel, with your community, and as they share your word and draw deeper into your wellspring of life. We pray for each Christian to stand firm and be equipped with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, for their feet to be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, for their shield of faith, their helmet of salvation, and their sword of the spirit-the word of God. Finally, let these believers pray in the Holy Spirit on all occasions. Let your truth be proclaimed and accepted from their mouths. Help Christians to follow you with all their heart, soul, and strength. Amen.*   

-Jesus, we pray for each of your Christians in Azerbaijan to dwell in good soil where your seeds spread over them. Father, we pray that their hearts would be noble and good. We pray that they would hear your word, retain it, and through perseverance produce a crop a hundred, sixty, or thirty times of what was sown.**

-God, we lift up the economy and pray a blessing over the areas of agriculture, logistics, and tourism. We pray an increased blessing as this nation releases their sins toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 

-God, we pray for the leaders of this nation to claim a peace treaty with the nation of Armenia. Yeshua HaMashiach, we pray for the region of Nagorno-Karabakh to come to a peaceful resolution through your leadership. Thank you Jesus. 

-God, we pray for the salvation of each Muslim believer in Azerbaijan. Father, remove the blinders so they may see their sin and comprehend that salvation is found in your Son Jesus Christ alone. We pray that they would know and love our Trinitarian God. We pray for dreams and visions for the young and old, that millions may come to know your saving grace in Azerbaijan. Thank you for your mercy and grace Jesus Christ. 

-God, we lift up the captives in Azerbaijan. Holy Spirit, we pray that you would convict this world of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment.*** Set the captives free from the physical and emotional bondage of their enslavement. May their hope be found in Yeshua HaMashiach, our king for eternity. Let the guilty also turn from their ways, and seek out repentance and salvation through your blood Jesus. 

-Father, we lift up the drug trade coming out of Azerbaijan. Father, we pray that you would do what it takes to bring an end to drug production in Azerbaijan alongside ending the drug trafficking in this nation. Lead the guilty towards repentance, and heal the minds and hearts of those who have been consumed by drugs. We lift this request up to you God. Amen. 

Image Credit: Lloyd Alozie

[1] CIA World Factbook, (Date Accessed November 2014).

[2] The Voice of the Martyrs. “Global report on where Christians are persecuted today.” Bartlesville: Persecution.com. 2017.   

[3] Patt, Professor Martin, (Date Accessed January 2015).

*Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Ephesians 6:14-18, (2011), Deuteronomy 6:5 (2011).

**Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of Luke 8:15, Matthew 13:8, (2011).

***Scripture quotations are based upon text obtained from New International Version of John 16:8, (2011).