I received this prayer update this morning from SGA, and I am still praising God for the way he brings light and beauty out of chaos and darkness! This has been a sobering, and yet joyful, reminder of the way God uses individual people to bring Him glory in a situation that appears overwhelming and disastrous.
Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine: that they would be faithful to their calling, and that they would have the grace and strength to forgive and love through the coming days.
FROM SGA LAST WEDNESDAY:
We received the following message from a Ukrainian evangelical church leader. For his safety, we continue to withhold his name, but are hopeful that he will soon be able to take an open, public role in the healing of the country our brothers and sisters love so much, and want to see reached for Christ . . .
Our Ukrainian Baptist leaders in Kiev are now using churches in the city as infirmaries for the injured and sick. Christian doctors take turns and are helping those who need medical care. In fear for their lives, the wounded and injured protesters cannot admit themselves to the city hospitals, which are already full, so they must seek help in other places. The Baptist Union leadership also decided that the churches will also open their doors for examination and treatment of patients in case it is necessary because of lack of space in the hospitals. We see this as an opportunity to witness our love of Jesus and to our neighbors.
Ukraine is at a critical turning point, and we realize that only God can prevent the nation from sinking in blood. We urge you to lift up prayers to the Lord in this crucial time for Ukraine’s future. May God help both parties to stop the escalation of violence, and to find a solution through negotiation and reconciliation.
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THIS MORNING:
“Joy and sadness overfills our hearts as we celebrate the news of birth of a New Ukraine, while we grieve for the young men, students and husbands who died to make this happen.
For the past three months, Ukraine has been absorbed by anti-government protests and demonstrations that resulted in the worst violence since it gained independence in 1991. The events of the last several days have been crucial as we witnessed events that will be recorded in Ukrainian history.
Our parliament has taken the responsibility to end the crisis in the country and adopted a number of vital laws. Our brother in Christ and minister of one of the Kiev Baptist churches, Dr. Oleksandr Turchynov, has been elected as the new Speaker of Ukraine’s parliament. Ukraine’s former prime minister, Yulia Timoshenko, was released from prison, after which she was taken in a wheelchair to Kiev to make a speech in Independence Square (Maidan) in Kiev. Parliament also voted to impeach President Viktor Yanukovich, and set new presidential elections for May 25.
Hundreds of thousands of people burst out in cheers as they were listening to the reports about these events from the stage set up at Maidan. Exhausted, but joyful people stood there with pride and a feeling of awe. They had proved strong enough to survive the bullets, but at last, some collapsed and fainted when they realized what had taken place.
During these days of protests and confrontations, the Christian community in Ukraine has labored to be light and salt for all sides in the conflict. The doctors, nurses, cooks, students, and other Christian groups have been helping whenever there was a need. This situation caused churches, and even denominations, to unite in prayer and fasting for peace and for God’s intervention. People began crying out to God, and even television news media spoke about the role of the church and the Word of God.
Unfortunately, many are determined to get revenge, to burn, and injure others. But we need to face this challenge in the name of Jesus, and with His love. What Ukraine needs is not just a change of people in authority, but a change of system and a close relationship of the authorities to ordinary citizens. Ukraine needs love, mercy and forgiveness. Ukraine needs Christ!
After all of our previous prayer requests, we ask you today that you join us in prayers of thanksgiving to God for the peace that He has granted to Ukraine after these difficult days. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12).
incredible. love it.
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