It’s been more than three decades since President Ronald Reagan stood there in Berlin and delivered his famous line, “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall!” It was a great victory for those in the Soviet Bloc.
But on February 24, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation announced the invasion of Ukraine. Bombs are being heard throughout the country, tanks are rolling down the streets, and expats are evacuating as chaos ensues.
While visitors to the country can leave, many nationals cannot. Some Missions partners have helped provide mattresses for people to sleep on, groceries for families, rent for apartments, and traveling expenses.
But the job isn’t done. Ukraine still needs help. Will you partner with us and lift up the work of the local church and missionaries?
Don’t Stop Praying For the Church in Ukraine.
PRAYER POINTS FOR UKRAINE
- Pray for the situation to be resolved peacefully
- Pray for our missionaries and Ukrainian churches to feel God’s peace, strength, and courage
- Pray for clarity as missionaries discern how to continue serving
- Pray for missionaries to faithfully love and serve those around them
- Pray for God’s peace and reconciliation to overcome all hatred, conflict, and war.
- Pray for followers of Jesus to arise as messengers of His hope to the hopeless and the oppressed.
- Pray for repentance, forgiveness, and unity in the Church, across denominations and traditions.
- Pray for those in Ukraine without a place to go and home to live.
- Ask God to redeem this situation by drawing many people to Himself. May Ukrainians discover that Jesus is the only true source of peace, safety, comfort, truth and freedom.
- For the opening of corridors both for evacuation and humanitarian aid around cities under attack in Ukraine. Many people in these cities are without heat and electricity.
- For many churches that opened their doors to neighbors offering food and shelter.
- For protection of many kids and parents who will spend another night in bomb shelters, metro stations or on the roads to safer places and all brave volunteers risking their lives to evacuate people.
- For logistics of getting funds and humanitarian aid to churches and refugee camps so they continue to have food, medicine and other supplies.
- For protection of lives but also church buildings that were built so sacrificially for years. May these churches be a beacon of light for those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
- For many pastors leading their flocks at this critical time of decision and risk. They carry a heavy burden.
- For many believing men who will have to bear arms against a professional army as the war continues. There is no other alternative for them, that we know about. Pray also for the many women who are fighting as well.
- For the Lord to cause the opposing army to lose the will to fight, be afraid, be confused, or use other methods to stop the war.
- For many volunteers who are setting up camps for refugees, so that they will have necessary funds, places for accommodation, and physical strength to serve.
- For many believers to stay strong, continue trusting the Lord and not to give in to panic, fear and desperation.
- Pray for divine wisdom and direction that come from God to the leadership.
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Once one of the Soviet Union’s most fertile republics, Ukraine was a major producer of Europe’s wheat and a primary source of minerals such as coal and iron. The country’s rich, black soil generated more than 25% of the Soviet’s agricultural output. Since gaining its independence in 1991, the nation has struggled to take advantage of its economic potential. And while Ukraine has become a mixture of ethnicities, traditions, and customs, Ukrainians continue to be a very hospitable people.
During the seventy-one years of Soviet rule, Ukraine endured engineered famines in which an estimated eight million died. The government strictly limited attempts to develop Ukrainian culture, even forbidding the study and use of the Ukrainian language. The nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl in 1986 continues to inflict environmental damage, disease, and death. In 2013, after the government abandoned close trade ties with Europe for more favorable ties with Russia, massive protests began with hundreds of thousands in attendance. When the government passed anti-protest laws, the protests escalated into deadly riots. Though these laws were later annulled, fighting and unrest continued across Ukraine, resulting in a civil war that has since taken thousands of lives. In the midst of this internal chaos, Russia annexed Crimea, adding further confusion to an already divided nation. In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and triggered a full-scale war between the two nations. Millions of Ukrainian refugees have fled the country, and millions more are internally displaced. In addition, the population suffers greatly from HIV/AIDS and alcoholism. Rampant drugs, crime, and prostitution enslave many of Ukraine’s most vulnerable, including orphans
As the “Bible Belt” of the former Soviet world, the Ukrainian Church has faced a long history of persecution. Though freedom of religion is improving, it is not yet protected in both law and practice. Leadership training and direction are greatly needed among Christians, especially with the rapid growth of thousands of new congregations since 1991. Doctrinal schisms in the Orthodox Church and divisions between Catholic and Protestant believers hinder their witness. The pain suffered under Soviet rule and during the most recent conflicts has greatly divided the Ukrainian people. But even amid recent violence, the Church has responded as the hands and feet of Jesus, meeting physical and spiritual needs. This has provided increased opportunities for Ukrainians to know and follow Christ.
The Holy Scriptures declares; “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it”. – John 14:14
