Winter 2014 has become the most tragic period in Ukraine’s history of national development. For more than three months, there has been a very aggressive confrontation between the people of Ukraine and government special police forces. Demonstration lost its peaceful character after people were killed, and the 19th of February was a horrible day, marked by close to 900 injured people and 77 dead due to gunshot wounds. Prayer is much needed for families of those who lost their loved ones. May the Lord protect their hearts, minds, and souls from hatred and aggressive decisions.
There are very large differences in pro-European and pro-Russian support between regions in Ukraine. And a new generation has grown up in independent Ukraine, which has been exposed to life in Europe and other democratic countries, and has come to see the extent of the cronyism that characterizes life in Ukraine and other countries in Eurasia. Unfortunately, many nations have fought civil wars over differences of opinion on economic and moral issues that threatened to tear their countries asunder. Much prayer is needed to protect Ukraine from division and war, as well as prayer for a better future, free from domination of corruption and oligarch dictatorship.
God has blessed Ukraine with a heritage of strong Christian influence in all areas of people’s lives. The last 22 years of freedom from the atheistic Soviet regime gave birth to a strong church planting movement, missionary movement, the World Without Orphans movement, and reaching the elderly. A younger generation of leaders, covered by the support of their spiritual fathers, has become very active in the godly transformation of Ukraine. We cannot allow there to be division between pastors and other leaders based on their active or passive participation in political reforms. The spirit of humility and patience is much needed. Please pray for the unity of Christ’s body in the nation as well as in the Eurasian region.
Prayer is a privilege and responsibility of the whole church. Ukraine needs to be covered by the intercession of fasting and prayer. As in Scripture, our Savior will teach us how to pray (Luke 11:1).