Day 1 – September 22

September 16, 2026

Read This Prayer Guide in Your Language

Afghanistan

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9 (NIV)

Afghanistan sits at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, with a rich history spanning thousands of years. Once a key stop on the ancient Silk Road, the region has seen the rise and fall of empires from Alexander the Great to the Mughals. Today, over 99% of Afghans identify as Muslim, with Christianity virtually unknown to most of the population.1

People live in Afghanistan today under Taliban rule, where poverty is widespread and women face severe restrictions on education and employment. Nearly all Afghans practice Sunni Islam, and leaving the faith carries the threat of death — making it one of the most difficult places on earth to follow Jesus. A small number of secret believers persist, but they have almost no access to churches, pastors, or Scripture in their own languages.2

Recent news: Afghanistan is currently at war with Pakistan. Many countries in the region, including Russia, China, and India, as well as Qatar and Turkey, have involved themselves to some degree on each side of the conflict. Pakistan is a major trade partner with China, and India supports Afghanistan, causing economic and ideological stress in the region. The people along the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but all the way to Kabul, are feeling the fear and lack that the conflict causes.3

Unreached people groups: Afghanistan has a population of 43,844,000 and of that, 41,547,000 are unreached. Primary unreached groups are the Afghan Tajik, Southern Pashtun, Northern Pashtun, Southeast Pashtun, Southern Uzbek, and Hazara groups, among others. To see all of them, click here.

Pray with us:
Father, we bring Afghanistan before you. This nation under Sunni Islamic Taliban rule is an ancient culture that has had significant impact on world affairs throughout history. Please deliver this people from oppression by a government that does not value Christians, women, or any others outside their primary Muslim faith. Strengthen the Christians that remain there. Intervene in the war with Pakistan and give these countries peace. And, Father, as we pray for the primary unreached people groups of Afghanistan (name them specifically). Reveal Your Son supernaturally to these that have never heard the Gospel. Provide the Word in their many languages and have mercy on Afghanistan in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Algeria

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light.” Matthew 4:16 (NIV)

Algeria is one of the ancient crossroads of the Mediterranean world. Its original Berber people — the Amazigh — built civilizations long before the Phoenicians, Romans, and Vandals each left their mark on the land. Christianity flourished here in the early centuries of the church; the theologian Augustine of Hippo was himself an Algerian Berber. The Arab conquest of the 7th century brought Islam, which has defined the country ever since. After 132 years of French colonization and a brutal independence war that cost over a million lives, Algeria emerged as a sovereign nation in 1962. A decade-long civil war in the 1990s between the government and Islamist insurgents left another hundred thousand dead and hardened the country’s suspicion of religious deviation.4

People live in Algeria today under a one-party state where Islam is the official religion and conversion carries severe social consequences. The vast majority of Algerians are Sunni Muslim, and leaving the faith is considered a profound betrayal of family and community. Yet a quiet movement is stirring — particularly among the Kabyle Berbers of the northern mountains, where thousands have come to faith in Christ over the past two decades, drawn by a renewed sense of pre-Islamic identity. House churches meet in secret, believers face pressure and occasional arrest, and yet the church is growing.5

Recent news: Algeria, together with Morocco, form a strong economic competition in Northern Africa. This competition affects Europe, as often, alignments with one of the two nations will cause the other to pull back from agreements they have held for years. This turbulence affects “energy, investment, migration and security” in many European countries involved in trade with Algeria and Morocco. So, Algeria is a key economic player.6

Unreached people groups: Algeria has a population of 47,435,000 and of that, 46,499,000 are unreached. Primary unreached groups are Arabic-speaking Algerians, Kabyle Berber, Shawiya Berber, and the Tamazight Berber groups. There is a major move of God occurring currently among the Kayle Berbers. To see all of them, click here.

Pray with us:
Lord, we thank you for the move of God happening among the Kabyle Berbers in the north of Algeria. You are more than able to move in areas we look at and consider to be impossible. You are showing us this truth through this move of God in Algeria. Let Your light shine brighter and brighter among the unreached groups in Algeria. Make them a sign and a wonder! Especially reveal Yourself to the young adults in Algeria, who are struggling with the political and religious environment there, which they feel has failed their generation. You have given this nation a pivotal economic role in Europe. Redeem it, Lord, and give them a pivotal role in Kingdom advancement as well. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Azerbaijan

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Matthew 10:28 (BSB)

Azerbaijan sits at the ancient meeting point of the Caucasus mountains, the Caspian Sea, and the great civilizations of Persia and Russia. Christianity arrived in the region in the first century — the Albanian church of the Caucasus predates Islam by six hundred years — but the Arab conquest and later the Safavid Persian empire gradually replaced it with Shia Islam, which remains the majority tradition today. Russia absorbed Azerbaijan in the early 1800s, and after a brief period of independence, it became a Soviet republic in 1920. Independence returned in 1991, and with it the Aliyev family’s authoritarian grip on power. Today Azerbaijan is officially secular, but Islam is deeply woven into cultural identity, and the small Christian community navigates a landscape of suspicion.7

People live in Azerbaijan today under a government that maintains tight control over religion and civil society. Evangelical Christians face bureaucratic obstacles, surveillance, and social pressure, particularly those who come from Muslim backgrounds. The ancient Azerbaijani church — long eclipsed by centuries of Islamic dominance — is slowly re-emerging, and a small but growing number of Azerbaijanis are encountering the gospel through satellite television, digital media, and personal witness. Conversion from Islam remains socially costly, but God is at work in this Caspian nation.8

Recent news: Azerbaijan is rich in oil and gas, a current global commodity with great value. Many nations desire to participate in the oil and gas business with Azerbaijan, which could become very lucrative for this nation. These nations include Russia, the U.S., and Great Britain. Turkey has gone further and wants to expand their energy partnership beyond oil and gas to include electricity as well. May the Lord richly bless the resources He has given to Azerbaijan.9

Unreached people groups: Azerbaijan has a population of 10,398,000 and of that, 9,759,000 are unreached. Primary unreached groups are over 8 million Azerbaijani, the Talysh, the Lezgin, and the Aeri Turk Azerbaijanis. To see all the unreached groups, click here.

Pray with us:

God, Azerbaijan is a nation “between” – between East and West, tradition and modernity, it’s oppressive past, and a bright future. It is a nation coming into renown at a key time in history. We pray for the persecuted Church in this country with an ancient Christian heritage. Comfort our brothers and sisters there, Holy Spirit. Give them hope and boldness to share the Gospel with those around them. Strengthen them, as we know it could cost them everything to do so. Thank You for shining Your light in and through them. We bless the resources of the land. May that become a great provision for the people there. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Sources

Country information and unreached people group information from Joshua Project.