Day 21
Turkmenistan
In March, Turkmenistan went to the polls to elect its president. The outcome was predictable, with the former president’s son, Serdar Berdymukhamedov, winning over 70 percent of the votes to become the nation’s third president. Pray for the salvation of the new president and his extended family. Pray that he will be able to come out from under the influence of his father and lead the nation with integrity. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in Tajikistan and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen (The Bible, Ephesians 3:20-21).
Although a country with mighty oil and gas reserves, the past two years its struggling economy has resulted in widespread food shortages. Turkmenistan makes its name as one of the most isolated and consolidated authoritarian regimes in the world. It lacks basic freedoms, judicial independence, and accountable institutions, and it discriminates against ethnic minorities. Turkmenistan’s dictator seeks to control every aspect of life. The government justifies its tough methods by a need to prevent an escalation of radical Islam. Though Turkmenistan has a persecution ranking of only 19, the country is still one of the world’s most oppressive.
