With tears in my eyes, I’ve prayed for the people of Ukraine this week, as I know many of you have. But I wanted to share a piece of the story that some of you may be familiar with, but possibly many of you haven’t heard.
Early in 2014, if you remember, Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. Kharkiv, a city located in the eastern part of Russia, saw tanks and men with guns on their streets. Yet they escaped the annexation that occurred in Crimea. Why did Kharkiv escape annexation?
When the Russian attacks began in 2014, the believers in Kharkiv knew that this battle would be more than just a physical battle, but a spiritual one. So several Evangelical and Orthodox pastors called for believers to meet on the town square at 7:00 am to pray. They gathered to pray for peace, protection, continued freedom to worship, and for their country’s leaders. They knelt in small groups in the snow, rain, and summer heat to fight this spiritual battle on their knees.
This small band of mighty believers didn’t stop praying after a few days, weeks, or months. As of Thursday, when this current invasion began, this sacred gathering has prayed for 2917 consecutive days for their city and country.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the Parable of the Persistent Widow. The story begins with these words, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The story describes a widow who persistently comes to the local judge to seek justice against her adversary. Tired of her perpetual nagging, the judge gives in to the woman’s pleas for justice.
Jesus ends the parable with these words, “And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8 NIV)
Before our eyes, we see the persistent widow exemplified in the lives of Ukrainian believers praying in the city square of Kharkiv. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never prayed consistently for almost 3,000 days, much less risen daily from my warm bed to kneel in the snow and pray.
So, I encourage you to join our Ukrainian friends in their prayers for their country. Pray for all the people of Ukraine. Join in prayer with these persistent Ukrainian believers during this time of physical and spiritual battle. Pray for God’s glory to be revealed across the country of Ukraine.
And then, if you aren’t already praying for America and our political leaders, maybe it’s time we follow the example of the Ukrainian believers. I want to answer the question, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” – with a resounding yes!
Thank you for you words! We are praying for the Ukrainian people. We have missionaries that were sent back home from the Ukraine. My heart breaks for the people as they go through this. May God bless them!
Thank you, Joyce. God has laid this situation on my heart, and I couldn’t sleep last night until I shared about these amazing believers. What an example for all of us.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Robin. My heart breaks for all of Ukraine and all the believers in Russia. If we would pray consistently for America, we will see the justice of God.
Patti, I’m still so moved by your story in Fathom. We have so much to learn from the example of these Ukrainian believers and all the people of Ukraine.
What an inspiring “rest 0f the story” Robin. We certainly need to follow their example to pray for our nation as well. Thanks for your inspiring blogs. Blessings!
Thank you, Patsy. I’ve realized that I’ve been negligent in not praying more for our own nation and leaders.
I knew this because of LG in Kharkiv sending pictures and telling us. Amazing perseverance! So much about that situation to pray about.
LG is an amazing lady, and it was through her I first learned of this story. So much we can learn from the Ukrainians.
Glad you shared this!
Thank you for sharing this! We continue to pray with and for the Ukrainians, as our hearts break for all they are going through!
Thank you for joining in the prayers for Ukraine! Love you, Lori!
Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the continued attacks on Ukraine. Prayer is our best action. We also pray for Russian believers and that the country’s leader will stop this invasion. I pray that he will have a Damascus experience.
I love this thought of a Damascus experience! Thank you, Lyn.