I stroll along the sun-drenched streets of Antalya, my sandals kicking up dust from the ancient cobblestones. The city feels alive, a tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. Towering cliffs overlook the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, and fishing boats sway gently in the harbor as seagulls cry overhead. Tourists from around the world flood the beaches, but beneath the glittering exterior, I see a city with untold spiritual needs.

Antalya is not just a tourist destination; it is a place where civilizations have collided and mingled for centuries. The ruins of Roman amphitheaters, Byzantine fortifications, and Ottoman mosques tell the story of a land shaped by empires. Yet, even as history whispers through these streets, the present is marked by both opportunity and challenge. A recent earthquake reminded us of how fragile life is here—families lost homes, businesses were disrupted, and many hearts still bear the scars.

Walking through the bazaars, I hear the mingling of languages—Turkish dominates, but I also hear Arabic, Kurdish, and the accents of travelers from Europe and Central Asia. The population is young; children play in the streets, and families bustle through markets, but many live in economic struggle. Despite Antalya’s status as a major Mediterranean port and hub of tourism, many of its residents face challenges of poverty, migration, and unemployment.

The people of Antalya are diverse in belief as well as background. Sunni Muslims are the majority, but there are also Alevi communities, small Christian populations, and ethnic minorities, including Kurds, Arabs, and Circassians. Many families maintain traditions that stretch back generations, and with them, a worldview shaped by centuries of Islamic heritage. For the outsider, the city may seem modern and welcoming, but for those of us following Jesus, we see both the potential for transformation and the barriers that must be overcome to share the Gospel.

Education thrives here; universities attract students from across Turkey and abroad, creating pockets of curiosity and openness. Yet, modern ideas and Western influence coexist with deep-seated tradition, producing tension in values and perspectives. It is a place of contrasts: wealth and poverty, tradition and progress, ancient ruins and luxury resorts, spiritual hunger hidden beneath layers of cultural devotion.

I notice the stories in the streets—children who wander because their families have been displaced or broken, elders who cling to old ways, and young adults seeking identity and purpose in a rapidly changing world. Antalya’s people are proud of their heritage, yet many long for hope, meaning, and peace. The city’s role as a gateway between Europe and the Middle East makes it a crossroads not just for trade and tourism, but for spiritual opportunity as well.

Every alleyway, every market, every harbor seems to whisper: “There is work to be done here. Lives to be changed. Hearts to be reached.” Antalya is more than a postcard city; it is a harvest field, vibrant and beautiful, with people longing for the true and living God, though they may not yet know Him.

- For Every People Group in Antalya and Beyond - I pray for Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and other unreached people in this region. Let God’s Kingdom advance among every language and culture, raising up believers who multiply disciples and house churches in every neighborhood. Rev. 7:9
- For Healing and Restoration After the Earthquake: I lift up those affected by the recent earthquake—families who lost homes, lives disrupted, and communities shaken. Lord, bring comfort, provision, and Your peace. May this tragedy become an opportunity for Your love to be revealed. Psalm 147:3
- For Boldness and Protection of Workers: I pray for disciples and field workers laboring quietly to share Jesus. Give them courage, wisdom, and supernatural protection as they serve in Antalya, Izmir, Ankara, and beyond. May their ministry bear lasting fruit. Debt. 31:6
- For a Movement of Prayer: I long to see a wave of prayer rise from Antalya, spreading through southwestern Turkey and the entire nation. Let believers gather faithfully, interceding for the unreached and for spiritual awakening across the cities and villages. 1 Cor. 2:4
- For Resurrection of God’s Purpose in Turkey: Though this land has a rich biblical history, much of Turkey still lives in spiritual darkness. I pray for a resurrection of God’s purpose—that hearts will awaken, churches will multiply, and the name of Jesus will spread throughout every city and village. Joel 2:25