“The people of Russia will worship the Lord!”
when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord.(Psalm 102:22,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Central Asia
Population | 142.02 million
Area | 17,098,242㎢(172 times that of Korea) The world’s largest country in eastern Europe and central and northern Asia.
Capital City | Moscow (12.64 million)
People Groups | Total 185 Groups, Russians 81%, Tatars 3.7%, Ukrainians 1.4%, others 7.2%
People Groups Unreached | 116 (12% of the population)
Offical Language(s) | Russian
Total Languages | 129
Bible translations | Compeleted 56, New Testament 25, Partial 24
Religion | Christianity 57.6% (Protestant 1%, Orthodox 54%), Non-religious 30.4%, Islam 10%, Ethnic religions 1.7% Evangelicals 1.5% (2.13 million)
》 About Russia 4
In Russia, the largest administrative divisions are the federal districts, with a total of eight currently in existence. Unlike federal subjects, these districts are not constitutionally defined administrative units. Each federal district is led by a presidential envoy appointed by the President of Russia. These envoys are tasked with overseeing the activities of the federal subjects within their district and reporting regional information back to the president.
Most of these districts, except for the North Caucasus Federal District, were first established in 2000 to enhance administrative efficiency. The Crimean Federal District was created in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea but was merged into the Southern Federal District in 2016.
》 Scripture Focus
| Psalm 102:12-18,22(NIV) 12 But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. 13 You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. 14 For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. 15 The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. 16 For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. 17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. 18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: 22 when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord. |
》 Prayer Points by region
< Finnish Uyghur peoples >
Population | Mari-El 600,000, Udmurtia 500,000, Mordovia 400,000
Languages | Russian, Finno-Uyghur languages, MordovianReligion | Orthodox, Shamanism
Evangelization rate | 0.8%
1. In the Mari El Republic, only 0.16% of the Mari people identify as Protestant Christians, making it the least evangelized area in Russia. The Orthodox Church, which views Protestantism as heretical, maintains a strong presence in local villages. The Mari people largely adhere to their traditional shamanistic religion, marked by elaborate annual idol-worship ceremonies. This region also has the highest rates of drug abuse, suicide, and homicide in Russia.
During Russia’s early democratic period, a significant movement of the Holy Spirit led to many conversions, with gospel work flourishing. However, the region has since experienced a spiritual stall, compounded by government restrictions on missionary activities and active interference by the Orthodox Church.
Let us pray that the Mari people, who have strayed from God through widespread idolatry, may receive His grace and salvation. May they turn from their sins and become a people who carry the blessings of the gospel to future generations. Additionally, pray for the Orthodox Church to abandon legalism and vested interests, instead honoring God’s name and establishing themselves firmly on the foundation of truth.
< Far Eastern Federal District >
Population | Sakha 960,000, Even 20,000, Evenki 70,000, Udegei 1,500, Nanai 18,000, Kamchatka Peninsula 320,000, Sakhalin 490,000
Languages | Russian, Sakha, Chinese, Mongolian, Udege, etc.
Religion | Orthodox, Islam, Buddhism, Shamanism, Protestantism
Evangelization rate | Protestant Less than 1%
1. The Sakha Republic, due to its historical ties with Turkic peoples, shows a strong influence of Turkish culture. Recently, the influx of Central Asian laborers has significantly increased the Muslim population in the region. The republic also maintains deeply rooted shamanistic practices, particularly the worship of a sun deity, which is prevalent among the Yakut people (approximately 480,000 individuals). Many Islamic missionaries are actively working among them.
Primorsky Krai (Maritime Province), where the majority of the population is Russian, holds strategic importance. Its capital, Vladivostok, is the terminal of the Trans-Siberian Railway and a crucial port for the Russian Pacific Fleet. Moreover, direct rail connections to China and North Korea make it a strategically significant hub for spreading the gospel.
Pray that the hardened hearts in these regions may be softened through the grace of the gospel, which justifies sinners and transforms lives, leading them to delight in and revere God. Let us also pray for the small churches in these areas to rise as houses of prayer for all nations, becoming channels of blessing to the ends of the earth.
< Siberian Federal District >
Population | Altai 210,000, Buryatia 970,000, Tuva 300,000, Khakass 530,000
Languages | Russian, Altai, Kazakh, Buryat, Tuvan, Khakass, etc.
Religion | Orthodox, Tantric, Islam, Buddhism
Evangelization rate | Protestant less than 1%
1. Siberia, which means “swampy and dense forest region,” covers one-tenth of the world’s landmass and three-quarters of Russia. For thousands of years, the people in this region have lived under the influence of Islam, Buddhism, shamanism, animism, and totemism, embracing various superstitions and idolatry. During the Soviet era, worship was completely suppressed, and the gospel could not reach many unreached people groups in the region.
Shamanistic practices and the Orthodox Church continue to hinder missionary efforts among the ethnic minorities across Siberia. In these end times, let us pray for the Church to rise up and serve the Lord with strength, ministering to the souls in this land with the gospel. May the isolated ethnic minorities receive the grace of the cross, be made into new creations in Christ, and join as nations and peoples who worship the Lord together.
》 Urgent prayer requests around the world need your prayer!
