Ukraine Christians Unite in Prayer & Witness amid Political Instability

The Baptist Press recently reported that Christians in Ukraine have united together and are gaining victory over political turmoil through their prayers and witnesses.

In the last presidential election in Ukraine, Russian-supported Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich was elected. However, the authorities and allies of the outgoing President Leonid Kuchma and Yanukovych were condemned for committing numerous frauds during the election.

Mission Network News quoted Paul Marty, President of HOPE International, who predicted that the result of the Ukrainian election will determine the future of Christianity.

Marty reminded, "Yanukovych (the current elected president) has publicly stated that the only church he would recognise would be the Russian Orthodox Church and he would not tolerate others."

"If the election goes toward the pro-Russian candidate," Marty said, "then a lot of the policies of the country are going to follow."

Felix Corley, Editor of Forum 18 News, a human rights observer, analysed how the West-leaning opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko would be beneficial for the future of religious freedom in Ukraine.

Corley told the BBC, "The opposition supporters of Yushchenko believe - and he has actually said so - that he will be a president for believers of all faiths, although he himself is Orthodox."

Corley added Ukraine has in fact experienced a measure of religious liberty in recent years. Now, it is therefore a very crucial time to elect the right leader of peace for the nation.

Christians have never retreated under the gloom of Communism. According to Duck-Woo Nam, a Southern Baptist missionary in Kiev, believers had gathered to pray in the Ukrainian capital's Independence Square and had "claimed the promise that 'God will heal the nation' (2 Chronicles 7:14)."

Sunday Adelaja, pastor of the 26,000-member charismatic Kiev congregation named Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations witnessed, "Every day there are thousands of people uniting together - including Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox - in the streets, Independence Square and in front of the Parliament and other government buildings to make their voices heard."

"On the main stage in Independence Square, denominational officials lead the crowds in four hours of prayer - starting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. before the politicians speak, and from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. each evening to close out the day."

Missionary Nam prayed for the political situation in Ukraine, "The Lord intervenes in the political history of Ukraine in order to open a new world. People want to have a president who is not greedy for power and money, but is honest, wise and compassionate."

Pastor Adelaja also said, "I believe this is a critical moment for the future and destiny of the Ukrainian people. Twelve years ago we were freed from communism. Though we have had a different government with different uniforms since, the same corrupt people have remained in power. Now, Ukraine has its first opportunity to choose our own free way of life."

"We need the prayers and support of Christians in America to engage the diplomatic process to influence and make clear to the Ukrainian government that the people have a right to elect whomever they want to lead our nation."

"It is also important for the media to not stop talking about Ukraine. As the whole world watches this situation unfold, the pressure will only continue to build for the government to do the right thing," Adelaja added.

Behind the scenes of the struggling Ukrainians against the pro-Russian forces, Christians have even grown in number and have experienced a spiritual revival. Pastor Adelaja described the demonstration on the street as "revival meeting".

Adelaja testified the amazing work of God who always turns evil into good, "For several weeks, millions of people have gathered in the streets, but because of the influence of Christian leaders and the church, they just sing songs. Most significant is the fact that no shops have been vandalised and no one is drinking - not even a beer - which is unheard of among any crowd to gather in an Eastern European nation."

Moreover, churches have been actively involved in caring for demonstrators. 1,000 people are taken in by churches to provide food, clothing, medical attention and a warm bed every single night.