URGENT PRAYER for Artsakhi Christians – Under Siege for Four Months

By Lisa Beth for (Voice of the Persecuted) Since winning their war against Artsakh in 2020 and seizing much territory, Azerbaijan continues its strategic aggression upon the Republic of Artsakh, employing a blockade of the land since December 12, 2022.  This military blockade of the Lachin Corridor has shut down the transport of food, medicine, and other supplies while cutting off the electricity and oil pipeline supply.  Cutoff from the mainland Armenia, residents of Artsakh no longer have access to family and contacts, nor do they have any access to vital hospital procedures available in Armenia. 

Why Artsakh Matters 

Armenians have inhabited Artsakh for thousands of years.  In 301 AD, when Armenia declared Christianity their national religion, Artsakh became a launching ground for missionaries.  Churches and schools flourished as the Christian culture matured in this agricultural region.  While many of the ancient churches were destroyed over the centuries, some continue to stand today as testimony of God’s faithfulness and His followers steadfastness. 

Artsakh and mainland Armenia have survived decades of persecution and massacres, culminating into the Armenian Genocide of 1915, when Turkey systematically slaughtered 1.5 million Armenians and seized all of Western Armenia.   After the devastating earthquake in 1988, Turkey and Azerbaijan united to completely control Armenia with a landlocked blockade, crippling the country for five years.  “The Invisible War”, coined by the media, depleted the land of all natural resources and crushed the economy.  Only US sanctions, after passing Section 907 of Freedom Support Act, curtailed this blockade as the legislation prohibited any kind of aid to Azerbaijan while they continued their aggressive actions. 

After powerful lobbying, the Senate adopted an amendment, allowing waiver of this vital legislation in 2001 and the waived status is in effect today.    

Undergirded by Turkey in 2020, Azerbaijan embarked on war with Artsakh with sophisticated weaponry and military technology supplied by Israel.  Thousands of Armenians were killed and much of the Armenian land was captured.     

Today, Azerbaijan employs this stranglehold while Russia is entrenched with the Ukrainian war and while Armenia’s allies in Europe are now utterly dependent upon Azeri oil.  Arm and arm with Turkey, ominous swords sharpen over the region with seeming impunity.   This continuous violation of human rights is prelude to complete ethnic cleansing and genocide.  

Aliyev not only threatening, but also preparing a genocide of Armenians in Artsakh – PM Pashinyan – Public Radio of Armenia (armradio.am) 

Aliyev: This year is Armenia’s ‘last chance’ (news.am) 

A month ago, CBN interviewed Gev Iskajyan, the executive director of ANC-Artsakh, who is sounding the alarm about the ongoing crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, a small, landlocked region between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Iskajyan warned the situation could devolve into genocide of the Armenian Christians living there.

Since December 12^th, 2022 

The blockade of Artsakh remains uninterrupted.  While occasional emergency supplies did reach Artsakhi residents through the International Red Cross, deprivation is rampant.  Over these past four months, several allied countries, including the United States, have proclaimed objections and indignations however, without sanction or recourse against Azerbaijan.  In February 2023, the United Nations International Court of Justice ordered that Azerbaijan end the blockade of the Lachin Corridor.  However, there are no ramifications even as Azerbaijan refuses to comply. In fact,  Azerbaijan continues to move forward with violence on Artsakh borders, shooting at farmers in the fields.    

Azerbaijan waits for Artsakh to surrender, or else.

Urgent Prayer Points 

• Pray for the lifting of this blockade: Beseech the Lord to move in the hearts of authorities to take action.  

• Pray for the surrounding enemies: May the Lord grip their hearts with conviction and godly sorrow for their unprovoked aggression and hatred.  May the Azeris come to repentance. 

• Pray for the church leaders and believers of Artsakh: May the Lord continue to strengthen and encourage them.  May the Holy Spirit pour down upon them and refresh their hearts anew with God’s word. 

• Pray for powerful prayer meetings, for continued trust in the Lord, and protection against hatred in their hearts. 

• Pray for healing upon the Armenians: The Armenians in Artsakh still suffer great loss from the 2020 war.  Many are grieving the loss of loved ones, homes, and health.  Many need emotional healing. 

• Pray for the disabled, the elderly and the sick, such as cancer patients, who are deprived of medical procedures and surgery. 

• Pray for a wall of fire around Artsakh: May the Lord supernaturally protect the borders of Artsakh. 

• Pray that this time of tribulation and suffering serves to refine Armenians’ faith, that they may stand strong for Christ and, most important, be a light and a beacon for the Islamic countries surrounding them.   

A special thanks to Lisa Beth, our guest contributor and sister in Christ. Born of Armenian descent, her life is enriched by the culture and history of Armenia.  The devastating genocide of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turks influenced Lisa’s life, world views, and faith.  “Tragedy and suffering make stronger ties than prosperity and happiness.  I do have a love for Armenia and  believe that the Lord is bringing revival to this  ancient land, bestowing “….beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”   (Isaiah 61:3)”

VOP Note: You may also like to visit Lisa’s site, The Burning Lamp for spiritual views on contemporary and personal life issues.

I hope The Burning Lamp is a place that you might find an ember of God to speak to your heart and light up your path.

Lisa Beth