Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Oct 16: Russia, Far Eastern Federal District
Russia
russia
Europe
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Geography
Area: 17,075,400 sq kmThe world’s largest country, extending across 9 time zones between the Baltic and the Pacific. The Russian Federation is composed of 83 administrative districts, including 46 oblasts (provinces), 21 republics, 9 territories, 4 autonomous okrugs, 1 autonomous oblast and 2 federal cities.
Population: 140,366,561 Annual Growth: -0.39%
Capital: Moscow
Urbanites: 72.8%
HDI Rank: 71 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 162 (47% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Russian; local languages in autonomous republics Languages: 135 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 93,905,229 | 66.90 | 0.0 |
| Evangelicals | 1,636,627 | 1.2 | 2.3 |
Challenge for Prayer
Nationwide ministry challenges in special need of prayer include:a) The uneven growth of evangelicals. Moscow and St. Petersburg hold only 10% of the population but command a much greater share of mission activity, ministry and resources. This is to the neglect of the smaller and more remote cities and towns.
b) Students and young people. Hopelessness prevails in the attitude of most of Putin’s generation, who grew up in a context of rapid change, widespread corruption, plummeting health and creeping despair. Over 3.5 million study in 50 universities and over 850 higher-education institutes. Various international student agencies work with networks of Christian groups on campuses, despite regulations limiting their activities. Pray for ministry to young people that impacts them on intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels; CCX(IFES), CCCI, YFC as well as increasing student ministry from Russian churches – these reach out to students and young people.
c) Children. There are more than 800,000 orphans in Russia; many more live in broken families. There are over one million street children (some claim many more). These are at high risk of abuse. Many turn to extreme violence and crime. The CoMission for Children at Risk is a network of 218 groups involved in ministry to children; pray that their ministry and that of local Russian congregations would reach many.
d) Prisoners. Over 825,000 are incarcerated, one of the world’s highest rates of imprisonment. TB, AIDS and drug addiction each claim tens of thousands of lives. Pray for more ministries to reach this most needy – and responsive – group.
e) New religionists. Some claim massive followings, despite often intense persecution. Their false teachings not only inoculate Russians against the truth but can also raise the ire of the Orthodox Church and government against all foreign groups. Scientology is found all over the Russian Federation. The JWs now claim 290,000. Theosophy, esoterism, parapsychology, the occult, shamanism and others exert influence over many. Pray that Christians may be trained and armed with the Word of God to combat these false beliefs and to win those ensnared. The Center for Apologetics Research helps pastors and churches with training and literature.
For an additional 11 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Russia.Far Eastern Federal District
Russia
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Challenge for Prayer
Chukotka is home to the Inuit-related Chukchi (15,000). A number of Chukchi have come to Christ through Alaskan Inuit evangelists as well as through faithful Russian and American missionaries.For an additional 4 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
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