(2026 Ramadan) Day 7: The heart of the nations that will complete the final revival along the Silk Road, Uzbekistan!

Uzbek means “self-ruler.” It belongs to the Turkic Belt, which has the lowest evangelization rate globally, and is located at the very heart of the Silk Road, traversing the 1040 Window. With a population of approximately 38 million, it is the most populous country in Central Asia. The Uzbek ethnic group constitutes about 90% of the population, while over 130 minority ethnic groups also reside there. Islam is the religion of 99% of the population.

Uzbekistan was once a central hub along the Silk Road, where not only trade but also religion and culture flourished through active exchange. Islam, which entered Uzbekistan along the Silk Road, evolved over time into a folk Islam blended with indigenous beliefs and shamanism. While most people know little about the Quran, relying on oral traditions or YouTube for their knowledge, they strongly identify as Muslims.

The Ramadan period for the Uzbek people is a time to strengthen their Muslim identity and foster solidarity within Islam. Even friends who weren't strongly religious before Ramadan use this period as an opportunity to try to restore their faith. Businesses reinforce the social expectation that more people should participate in Ramadan by offering Ramadan-themed products and sales during this time. However, those participating in Ramadan fasting are often swept up by the societal and familial expectation that ‘Muslims must fulfill this obligation,’ rather than fasting with the genuine desire to truly connect with God.

Furthermore, secularism holds sway over the hearts of Uzbeks, deceiving them into living for worldly desires.

Young people, influenced by constant media, are working to earn money to buy nice houses and cars and travel abroad. The only way Uzbek youth see to achieve all this is to go abroad and earn a lot of money. Yet even in this situation, there are Uzbek youth who hear the gospel and thirst for truth. Now is the time when the gospel needs to be shared with more Uzbek people.

<Story of Sister R>

Sister R, born into an Islamic family, developed a desire to learn about Jesus after seeing her neighbors who believed in Him. When she shared this desire with her family, she was beaten and dragged, hands bound, to a place where she was brainwashed into the Islamic faith. After experiencing this in her youth, she became afraid to seek the truth. She suppressed her doubts about religion and lived only dreaming of a life of success through making money. Then she met a Christian and heard the gospel again. While praying together, she saw a vision: in a pitch-black field, a figure walking behind her, radiant with light, transforming all darkness into light! Jesus, who loves Sister R so deeply, will change all the fear and darkness within her and the Uzbek people, shining the light of salvation upon them!

Hallelujah! A fresh wind of the Holy Spirit is blowing again over the Uzbek church. Within the “Silk Road 2030” vision that Central Asia proclaims together, there is a “Thousand Missionaries” movement to send 1,000 SMs.

Sister M, who received vision training, attended FO, and dedicated herself as an SM during last year's Ramadan, prayed fervently for team members to join her. Now, she is making final preparations to go as an SM with the team members God sent her this Ramadan. As they are sent out after this dark Ramadan, I believe it will be the signal flare for a missionary revival in the Uzbek church.

May the Uzbek people, once called the heart of the Silk Road and the center of the nations, now rise up in missionary revival! May they become the spiritually beating heart of the nations again, spreading the power of the gospel to the ends of the earth!

Amen!!

[Today’s Prayer]

1. May the spiritual climate in Uzbekistan be completely transformed during this Ramadan! May the spirit of fear and falsehood, the darkness that has covered Uzbekistan, depart, and may they now encounter Jesus Christ, who is the Truth!

May this Ramadan be one where Uzbek souls return to the Lord, as we ceaselessly share the gospel with those thirsty for truth—like Sister R—whose circumstances and environment block their access! May the Uzbek people become a nation that resolves to know only Jesus Christ and the gospel of the cross, just as the Apostle Paul confessed!

2. The “Silk Road 2030” vision for Central Asia, and the “Heavenly Mandate” movement to fulfill that vision, begins with two Uzbek sisters. Through these sisters, may the Uzbek church arise with a missionary vision and missionary revival, and be established as a great church fulfilling the role of the heart of the nations. May the Uzbek church advance along the Silk Road, proclaiming Jesus Christ and the gospel of the cross, as the Lord prepares to return.