Christians praying for a miracle in Ukraine

A man wearing military fatigues walks along a street heading in to Kiev's Independence Square, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 4, 2014. Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops participating in military exercises near Ukraine's border to return to their bases as US Secretary of State John Kerry was on his way to Kiev. Tensions remained high in the strategic Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea with troops loyal to Moscow fired warning shots to ward off protesting Ukrainian soldiers. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Evangelicals are asking the global Church to pray for Ukraine as Germany warns there is "no solution in sight" to the crisis.

The European Evangelical Alliance said the Russian government's actions had made the task of stabilising the nation and its economy "so much harder".

The EEA is asking Christians around the world to pray for a "miracle" to stop any further descent into conflict.

Russian forces have taken control of Crimea and Vladimir Putin has told reporters that what has happened in Ukraine is an "unconstitutional takeover".

Germany foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, had been long and "difficult" and that there was "no solution in sight" to the Ukraine crisis.

As the country's future hangs in the balance, Ukrainian Christians are appealing to the worldwide Christian community to stand with them in prayer and fasting.

"Ukraine has suffered enough. People died and countless numbers were injured in the protests. And now there is the possibility of invasion, occupation, civil war and a divided country," said the European Evangelical Alliance in an update.

"There is a tiny glimmer of hope. The vast majority of Ukrainians do not want war or a divided nation. The Kiev protests were peaceful for months and only a minority turned to violence in the last days. Most knew that peace was the only answer, and many also knew that prayer was crucial."

Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, added his voice to the call for prayer.

"The fast-moving and escalating events in Ukraine not only pose a real threat to the region but to global peace," he said.

"We would urge all the parties involved to seek a peaceful resolution to this conflict."

related articles
Ukrainian monastery turned into makeshift hospital

Ukrainian monastery turned into makeshift hospital

Upheaval in Ukraine: A missionary\'s story
Upheaval in Ukraine: A missionary's story

Upheaval in Ukraine: A missionary's story

Ukraine: Stories of faith, hope and love amid the grief
Ukraine: Stories of faith, hope and love amid the grief

Ukraine: Stories of faith, hope and love amid the grief

Unity in Ukraine
Unity in Ukraine

Unity in Ukraine

Calls for UK to work with Ukrainian church
Calls for UK to work with Ukrainian church

Calls for UK to work with Ukrainian church

Pope appeals for dialogue and harmony in Ukraine
Pope appeals for dialogue and harmony in Ukraine

Pope appeals for dialogue and harmony in Ukraine

News
Between two cultures: an Afghan Christian in the Netherlands
Between two cultures: an Afghan Christian in the Netherlands

Esther*, who was born in Afghanistan and raised in the Netherlands after her family fled the country when she was three, speaks to Christian Today about her journey of faith, life between two cultures, and her hopes and fears for Afghanistan’s future.

The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens
The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens

Seventy years ago, in February 1956, the BBC aired the mini-series “Jesus of Nazareth”, which was the first filming of the life of Jesus to be created for television. This is the story …

Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes
Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes

Christians are being asked to urge peers to support amendments tabled by Baronesses Monckton and Stroud.

Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror
Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror

The faithful are returning “in their thousands, not hundreds” despite more than a decade of brutal violence.