Pray for: Ukraine

Ukraine’s location as a gateway between East and West has always left it in a vulnerable position. The Russian invasion of 2022, Russian support of the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, the occupation of the Crimea and the Euromaidan of 2014, and the Orange Revolution of 2004-5 all demonstrate Russia’s determination to dominate Ukraine. They also equally demonstrate Ukraine’s determination to be free. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, and tens of thousands have been killed. Whenever the conflict ends, rebuilding from the devastation will take years, or even decades. Even more complicated will be the healing of trauma experienced and, hopefully, an eventual reconciliation with its neighbour. Pray for the intervention of the God who makes wars cease to the ends of the earth and who breaks the bow and shatters the spear (Psa 46:9). Pray Psalm 10:17-18 over Ukraine – that the Lord would hear the desire of the afflicted, encourage them, and listen to their cries. Pray for wisdom from above, and divine fortitude for Ukraine’s leaders and its people. 

Thank God for the rich Christian heritage of Ukraine. Christianity in the Slavic world began in Kyiv 1,000 years ago. Churches here suffered greatly in the Soviet era until independence (1991). Millions of Christians died. Then, Russian interference and invasion brought incalculable destruction. This included religious persecution in the occupied areas, as well as hostility from the Russian Orthodox Church for most other expressions of Christianity. There has been so much trauma and suffering, but these trials have been a crucible for the refining of God’s people. The faithful perseverance of the Church continues to bear fruit. Today it impacts most of society. Evangelicals have emerged from many years of persecution with larger numbers and stronger faith. Pray that the endurance, spiritual drive and vision of the body of Christ in Ukraine might not be destroyed or dulled by what the enemy seeks to accomplish there.