Some friends of Operation World are part of a very strategic prayer initiative regarding the war in Ukraine. There is some well-established history in recent decades of “special operations” of prayer, intercession, and repentance that bring breakthrough in the ending of conflicts and the forging of peace – even reconciliation. This is one of them, and you can join in the efforts by lifting up this initiative. It is all the more appropriate given that this email came to me on one of the days that we are praying for Ukraine in the OW Prayer Calendar!
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Greetings from Tallinn, Estonia, where our international team of seven prayer leaders is about to begin the first part of a special peacemaking prayer initiative with local Ukrainians, Russians, and Estonians, starting tomorrow, Dec. 1, and going through Sunday, Dec. 3. We are here to seek the Lord with those from both sides of the Ukraine-Russia war for the end of this destructive, pointless conflict. It has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and sent millions of refugees into exile since February of last year when it began.
On Monday, Dec. 4th, we will fly to Moldova and then drive to Kyiv, Ukraine, for the second part of the initiative, Dec. 5-7. That will involve many Ukrainian ministry leaders, prayer warriors, and our team of seven. We want to let the Lord lead us in facilitating both of these crucial times together, praying forth His heart for a peace breakthrough, even by Christmas, as some of these participants have been praying for in earlier meetings with them.
May I, therefore, ask your support in prayer for the following?
- Will you please agree in prayer with us for the Lord’s mighty working in and through His people in both Estonia and Ukraine and that we will indeed see a just peace agreed to by the governments of both Ukraine and Russia as a result?
- In past war zones, in which our teams have facilitated initiatives of this kind, the Lord has come in and stirred powerful times of confession, reconciliation, and forgiveness as His people from both sides “stood in the gap” for their peoples. They repented in identification with the sin of their ethnic groups as Daniel, Nehemiah and Ezra did, humbly confessing “we have sinned”. Those heartfelt, desperate prayers changed history then, and we believe the Lord will do the same again if the participants can adopt that same posture. Please pray that they will be moved to do so.
- Our facilitation team needs to hear from the Lord what is most important for us to share in each session, so we would value your prayers for that clear guidance, unity, and anointing for each team member.
- Finally, may we ask you to pray for our safety and health in travel? The snow has been falling and driving conditions could be difficult both here in Estonia and Ukraine where we have long road trips to make. The seven-hour drive into Ukraine this coming Tuesday, Dec. 5, is supposed to be safe in that part of the country, but we don’t want to take that for granted since the Russians may be willing to use more drones since their forces are still in a frustrating stalemate with the Ukrainians.
Thanks so much for your support which will make a huge difference to what happens. This Bible passage is particularly relevant, encouraging us to trust God to do the same through this prayer initiative:
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:9-10)
Blessings from Tallinn,
John Robb