Joy met her husband Lutfu while working in Turkey. With a Turkish husband and three children who are Turkish citizens, she wants to stay.
Joy met her husband Lutfu while working in Turkey. With a Turkish husband and three children who are Turkish citizens, she wants to stay.
Sep. 10, 2020 | Turkey

American-Born Wife of Turkish Pastor Expelled

[274] prayers in [18] nations have been posted for Joy and Lütfü.

The US-born wife of a Turkish citizen was recently told that her residency permit was revoked, even though she has lived in Turkey for nearly 10 years. Joy Subaşıgüller was told her residency permit had been revoked on June 5. She is married to a Turkish pastor, Lütfü, and the couple has three children, all Turkish citizens. The couple has filed an appeal, but they expect it to be denied. In 2019, at least 35 foreign Christian workers were expelled from Turkey when their residency permits were revoked or denied. So far this year, at least 16 others have been forced to leave the country. Pray for Joy and her family as they make decisions and respond wisely.

Click here to find out about Christian persecution in Turkey and learn how to pray.

Write your own prayer for Joy and Lütfü

  • Father I don't know what the situation is now for this family but I pray you would bring unity, restoration and reconciliation of any damage and hurt that has been done. I ask for the bonds of unity through the holy spirit and that you would strengthen the marriage. Please intervene and help the married couple. May they love one another fully.
    Becky G - New Zealand
  • Dear Father, intervene for this family. May the government look with favor on their situation, & allow them to stay together. Prepare the way for those who look over this situation. May your love shine out on Turkey, & make it a beacon of your love & mercy. Provide for this family's needs. May faith grow as you work in this situation. For Jesus glory!!
    SM D - USA
  • Father God, in the name of our Savior Jesus, I ask that you help, protect, and make a way for Joy and her family. Bless them for their work in Christ and give them clear direction in each day. Give them great success in their work so that ALL of Turkey will know that You are God! Bless all the workers for their love and sacrifice in Christ.
    Kathy G - USA
  • Lord Jesus, we ask You to intervene for this family, not only that they will have wisdom, but that You would make a way for them to stay together. Father, we know that all things are possible with You! Turn the hearts of those responsible for her residency permit, and grant wisdom as the family makes decisions. Comfort their hearts with Your presence.
    Gina A - USA
  • Dear father, I pray for this lovely family who seems to be targeted for nothing except their religion. They seem to be law abiding citizens,they have children who are citizens of Turkey and they seemed to have done everything they needed to reside in their place of choosing because of that I ask you to bless them and enlighten those trying to ruin them
    Angela L - USA
  • Please Joy and her family make the wise decisions.
    Debbie V - USA
  • I thank You God for keeping Joy and her family this long. I ask Spirit that You will lead them into unity and all truth as it pertains to the decisions that need to be made. If at all possible, give favor to her and her family with the government and officials who are trying to separate their family. Yet, may You be glorified trough it all. In Jesus
    Miranda J - USA
  • Lord God, I do pray that You would strengthen and encourage Joy and Lutifu as they respond to this difficulty. May they have favor with the courts that would enable Joy to remain in Turkey, but may they have unity and wisdom in how to respond if this is not the case. Please provide a place for them and give them hope in You.
    Danielle H - USA
  • Give wisdom to Joy and Lutfu. Provide a home country for them that they may live together whether Turkey or USA or Canada or France where they may minister together and bear much fruit for You, Jesus. Open many doors for them and give them wisdom as to which door they should go through to witness to You, Jesus. Guard and protect them.
    Patrecia J - USA
  • Dear Lord, please strengthen the faith of these believers. Help them to know that they serve as examples to those of us who have never experienced this type of threat to our lives and faith. Keep them safe and give them wisdom to handle each situation. Soften the hearts of those that seek to harm them, so that they, too may believe.
    Betty A - USA
  • Father God I continue to pray for Joy and Lutfu and ask for your amazing intervention in this situation; I pray for favor with the judges and officials that Joy will be able to stay in Turkey and continue working with her husband in the local church. Please fill each family member with your peace and joy and trust in You! In the precious name of Jesus!
    Sarah H - USA
  • Father God I continue to pray for Joy that you would comfort her and her family and continue to give them wisdom and discernment regarding Joys residency. We ask for favor that she can stay in Turkey with her family and continue to minister there! In Jesus powerful name Amen!
    Sarah H - USA
  • I pray for wisdom for Joy and Lutfu to know what You would have them do, Lord. I pray they trust You in all circumstances and that You make clear to them Your will for their lives. Help them to keep their eyes focused above and on You, knowing you are in control and that Your perfect will be done. Amen
    Rosemary M - USA
  • Lord bless this family that is standing strong in their faith for you despite the hardship and cruel treatment they are receiving. Open the eyes of those involved to see Your truth as they watch this families strength in faith for You and how you will provide for them despite all the government tries to do to harm them. Give them wisdom and provision
    Angie E - USA
  • God, I pray for Joy as she goes through this difficult time. I pray You will lead her and her husband in the right way to proceed. I pray you will protect this family, and use them in a mighty way. God, I also pray for each person who has been forced out of Turkey because they follow Jesus Christ. I pray they will each remain strong in faith.
    Curtis M - USA
  • Lord, I pray for the church in Turkey. Satan is working against the gospel in this country. Thwart the work of the Devil. I pray that those gospel workers who have been expelled from Turkey may be let back in. If not, then that others would be raised up to take their place. Make them strong. Give Joy and her family wisdom, to know your will and obey
    margaret m - USA
  • Father, you see this family. You do not want families separated. I pray you move on their behalf. Lord, give your children wisdom in handling these situations. Go before them. I pray you would move in the government there to see what they are doing is wrong. Father, speak to hearts, guide your children. Open the eyes, ears, and hearts of all.
    Polly C - USA
  • For all those persecuted for the lords work and to all our brothers and sisters in the lord i pray when you all pass away you may R I P this to me dose not only mean rest in peace but intended to mean by prayer risen in peace at the time of the resurrection of the dead to live forever this time this is my prayer for all those in JESUS love your all
    Themis K - Australia
  • Dear Lord,You know all that happens even before it happens. You are allowing this trial for Joy and her husband.Please help them to seek the answer from You and You alone.For in our understanding there does not appear to be an answer, but through You all things are possible! Lord please direct them and lead them into Your perfect Will for their lives!
    Donna H - USA
  • Lord,
    We pray that this family would be able to stay together and that you would make a way. Give them wisdom and courage during this time. Amen
    Heather O - USA
  • Dear Lord, we pray for Joy and her family to receive equality and fair treatment as any other citizen of that country. Grant them the residency required inorder to continue to occupy their current place of living. In JESUS name amen.
    anthony c - USA
  • I ask the Father to show up big time and cause turkey to lift the persecution! That nation keeps rejecting Jesus! Strengthen blow life light into them when weakness comes! Bring them through for Your glory!
    Lisa C - USA
  • Father, this is a difficult decision for Joy and her husband. Whatever they are planning on doing, please give them wisdom and strength to know that you will be there and meet their every need. Encourage them in their faith and trust in Christ and His leading and care for them. Please move mightily in Turkey for your people who are facing hard times.
    Vicki W - USA
  • Dear God, please help this family have wisdom as to what to do next. Please help their appeal to go through. Please help their family get to stay together. Make a way for them, Abba, through this difficult situation. Help the children to feel safe in this hard time. Grow the whole family's faith in You. Be very near, O God! Bless and lead, O God
    Amy G - USA
  • Dear Lord,
    I pray for Joy, Lutfu and their children in these uncertain time for their family. May their every decision, their every step be fully guided by You. Let them feel Your Peace and Comfort. May they remain unafaid, knowing that You and You alone are in complete control. We live You, Lord, and we trust that Your Will is perfect.
    In Jesus, Amen
    Madison F - USA
  • Dear God & Father, I pray for Joy and Lütfü, their children, other displaced Christians & their families as well as the native church in Turkey: Protect, provide for, comfort, strengthen, encourage & guide them. May they stay strong in faith, hope & love, committed to Christ. Give them wisdom to respond to their situation. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

    Lisa D - USA
  • Heavenly Father, I lift up to you Joy and her dear family. If it is your will, I ask that you intervene with the her residency permit being revoked. May the authorities grant residency. Grant the family wisdom in decisions and responses and may your grace provide strength and hope to them as you remind of your faithfulness in the past. Pat USA
    Patricia S - USA
  • Sovereign Lord, please help Joy stay united with her family. Give her and her husband wisdom as to how to proceed. Father, I pray that their work in Turkey would continue. Please bless this family as they face being torn apart. Work in the hearts and minds of the Turkish officials to have mercy on them. I pray in Jesus's name, amen.
    Julia F - USA
  • Dear Father, I pray for Joy and Lutfu and their three children. Father, please bring them help from above. Please give them wisdom to know which course to follow. Please protect them. Please help them to reach out in your name with the gospel to neighbors and the authorities as Your Spirit leads. Please intercede for them. I pray for their church also.
    Jane C - USA
  • Lord I lift Joy and her family up to you this morning! I pray for them to make wise decisions and respond wisely tou your will. In Jesus name I pray! Amen!!!
    Jackie S - USA
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