Introduction / History In the thirteenth century, Genghis Khan formed the largest empire in world history by uniting all of the nomadic Mongol tribes. During the centuries that followed, the once mighty Mongol Empire was squeezed between the growing Russian and Chinese empires. In the early 1920s, Mongolia became a Marxist state until its quiet democratic revolution in 1990.
The Khalka Mongols consider their language, Halh, to be the "real" Mongolian language, since all other Mongols speak variations or dialects of Halh. Halh is understood throughout Mongolia and by Mongols living in Central Asia.
Where are they located? Most Khalka Mongolians live in Mongolia or China, but a small number have found their way to Canada. Some have made their home in Calgary.
What are their lives like? Some of the Mongols have gone to Canada to evade either poverty or a bad family situation in Mongolia. Alcoholism and unemployment are widespread in Mongolia. Some of these people are in danger of being deported since they are not refugees in the traditional sense.
What are their beliefs? The Khalka Mongols were traditionally shamanists (belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and spirits). The people depended on shamans (medicine men) to cure the sick by magic, communicate with the gods, and control events.
In the late 1500s, the Mongols were introduced to Tibetan Buddhism, and most Mongols converted to Buddhism at that time. By 1900, more than half of Mongolia's males were serving as priests in Buddhist monasteries. However, as a result of an anti-religious movement launched by the Marxist government in the 1930s, about three-quarters of the Khalka Mongols became either non-religious or atheists.
Today, a number of Khalka Mongols have returned to the beliefs of their forefathers. Shamans are once again called upon to cure the sick or alleviate evil spirits through divination, oracles, and astrology. This might be affecting some of the Mongols in Canada as well.
What are their needs? Mongol immigrants in Canada need to learn language and job skills that will help them to flourish in their new environment.
Prayer Points Ask God to set the Khalka Mongol free from their bondage to occultism and shamanistic beliefs.
Pray for a disciple making movement to flourish among the Mongols in North America.
Ask God to raise up teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for the Khalkha Mongols around the world.
Pray that believers in Canada will have opportunities to introduce the Khalka Mongol to the Prince of Peace.
Pray that Mongol men in Canada would rise up to become strong in the Lord. Pray that they will use that strength to nurture their families in the ways of Christ.
JP Unreached of Day
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