Submitted from Our Friends in Eastern Europe
Forwarded by www.GlobalHarvestMinistries.org
EASTERN EUROPEAN PRAYER UPDATE
We are seeing powerful results in some of the nations we have been praying over. Now is not the time to let up. We must continue to intercede for God's plans and heart over these nations, as they exist in heaven, to be manifest in the earth!
Each of you can continue to help us in the following ways:
1. Send us information regarding the prayer issues your nation faces.
2. Share this prayer focus with others.
3. Pray with fervency!
Thank you!
Blessings,
Marty Cassady
Strategic Prayer Coordinator
Global Harvest Ministries
BALKAN NATIONS
Albania.
· Kruja, Albania for the first time ever, the city council put up a happy Christmas banner alongside those of a happy New Year. Praise God for this step toward openness in the things of God. Pray that now the door opens for the Gospel to sweep this region and many find Jesus.
· Please pray for Rick and Patti Roberts as they travel across the United States during their itineration process in raising resources to continue their work in Albania.
Bulgaria.
· Please pray for Australian missionaries as they stand alongside work going on there through several Bulgarian churches in 2005. Not only are they serving as encouragers, but as equippers and enablers.
· Please pray for the Community Development work going on there. As villagers (especially Roma communities) receive the word, they are also taught and helped in receiving the inheritance God has for them here and now on this earth.
· Pray for the business meetings in which creative strategies and plans from above are made and implemented.
Croatia.
· Elections - Please pray for the election runoff for president as neither of the candidates received the 50% vote needed. The President has a strong voice in the political process and is often seen as the face of Croatia. Please pray for this vote and for God's will to be accomplished. Pray for integrity.
· EuroAdventure 2005 - In July of 2005 people will gather in Split, Croatia from all over Europe for this event. This large evangelistic outreach has a chance to reach many with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray for this.
· Pozega - A prayer request came in from a church in Pozega asking for prayer as they reach out to the city and for prayer for the body there as well as they are experiencing difficulties from within the church as well.
· Varazdin - The church in Varazdin asks for prayer as they seek to reach out even more this year into the Gypsy villages and through the Alpha Course.
· Ante Gotovina - Through his attorney Ante Gotovina has offered to be interviewed and have his case then reviewed but is refusing to surrender to authorities. Please pray for resolution in this case.
· Please pray for the life-giving churches and parachurch ministries across the country. Pray for the staff and for upcoming ministry opportunities in the coming months.
· JESUS Film - The JESUS film is now being shown in 22-24 villages a month in Croatia and Bosnia. The JESUS film team asks for prayer regarding staff. They would like 3 more workers in Croatia and 2 in Bosnia.
BALTIC NATIONS
Latvia.
· Please pray for the children of broken families in Latvia as the Lord continues to move among them. Pray for the workers in Christian daycare centers as they supply food, Biblical instruction and spiritual help.
· The root problem among broken families seems to most often be alcoholism and rejection. One person was told that God loved him and then was able to receive the gospel. Pray for God's hand extended like this to penetrate hearts of the lost.
· In the poorer areas of Latvia, people are often desperate enough to steal. Svetlana was caught and the police took her away. Please pray for her and others like her that the Gospel reach them and penetrate hearts realizing that Christ is their source of hope.
· The Lord continues to move among the youth in several areas. One leader shares: It seems the Lord keeps bringing the Jewish youth to me for salvation without any effort on my part. Please pray for the youth of Latvia and especially among the Jewish youth.
· A missionary to Russia formerly, has now been called to Latvia and is applying for a residency permit. Please pray for wisdom, favor and resources in God's arranging long-term residency.
CENTRAL NATIONS
Czech Republic.
· Please pray for a vast apartment building city in Prague that is being evangelized by PTH. The area of Prague is called Rajska Zahrada which is also the name of the metro stop there and means Paradise Garden. Please pray for this outreach.
· A group of young marrieds is the focus right now, almost all are from non-Christian backgrounds. Please pray as these young couples make Jesus the center of their homes.
· Please pray for the Czech medical system. A young woman named Pavla has been stricken with a crippling condition to the brain and treatment of her has been negligent. How many stories have I heard like this about the Czech medical system? Please pray for the Czech medical and other professions that serve the citizens that they be God's hand outstretched.
· Please pray for educational concerns of missionary families for their children. Specifically pray for Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany for dorm parents and mentors to serve the young students.
Hungary.
· Please pray for upcoming Part 1 of the Romanian school for pastors and leaders to be held near Budapest this month. Pray for the teachers and students that the Rhema seed be sown on âgood soil and that it produce a bountiful crop for the kingdom of God back home.
· Resurrection Life Ministries is planning a conference in the late springtime to further encourage the vision for 24 hour prayer in their locale. Pray for this as well as a release of finances for their publication projects.
· Please pray for the Ellel Ministries Eastern Europe Modular School training to take place in late January.
Romania.
· A new President was elected in Romania. Please pray for him that God's plans and purposes for Romania become his. Pray against temptations to follow the ways of the world in liberality regarding morality and that instead crave the presence of God in every thing he does.
Slovakia.
· Trans World Radio asks us to pray as discussions begin concerning the possibility of programs in the Bayash language. This language is spoken by the Roma (Gypsy) people of eastern Slovakia. Pray that God will provide the people and funds necessary for these programs.
· Please pray for the Manor in Licince where Christian Slovak leaders minister as Jesus did (Luke 9:11) to the hurting and downtrodden. This is a very poor area which includes Roma villages. Pray God's mighty anointing on the staff there as they carry on this work. Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send workers and resources to their aid.
Slovenia.
· We have been praying with Calvary Chapel in Celje for recovery of Barbara who suffered a horrible car accident. Praise God for the latest report: Another Christmas gift has been Barbara's recovery. She opened her eyes finally on December 25th and has been recuperating well.
Since New Year's she has been speaking quite freely and yesterday she was so funny in her comments and things she was saying, she had us all laughing. While there is still a long road of recovery ahead of her, it's so encouraging to see that Barbara is still Barbara and she's such a joy in all of our lives, encouraging us even in her hospital bed. Please continue praying for Barbara's recovery and for her family regarding difficult decisions regarding future surgery.
· Please pray for a Bible study outreach in Ljubljana that many fruits be harvested for the kingdom of God there.
· The Celje church asks us to pray for additional men for spiritual leadership there, but let's cover the nation with that petition. Also pray that these leaders have âwisdom, focus, strength and protection, and a growing love for Christ, the sheep, and the lost.
· Pray for us to have the courage to share the gospel with the people of Slovenia.
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE NATIONS
Belarus.
Please continue to pray for the government to allow religious freedom in Belarus. There has been increased persecution against those not aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church. In October 2002, President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed new legislation purported to protect religious freedom which in reality provided government officials with tools to repress and control religious activities without offering any mechanism to identify abuses by these officials.
This law essentially prohibits all unregistered religious activity by organized groups or by small groups of less than 20 members. Foreign citizens can not lead religious activities and there can be no religious activity in private homes with the exception of small, occasional meetings.
All religious organizations must apply for re-registration within two years and the criteria for doing this are vague and facilitate abuse by government officials.
Only religious groups with 10 or more registered communities, including at least one that has been in existence in 1982 (the Soviet period of religious repression) can participate in religious publishing and education. Communities are commonly denied the right to establish institutions to train clergy and all religious literature is subject to compulsory government censorship.
President Lukashenko's policy of favoring the Russian Orthodox Church, results in discrimination against other religious communities, particularly Protestant groups. Local Orthodox leaders often influence regional authorities to deny registration or permission to build a place of worship. In June 2003, the Belarus government and the Russian Orthodox Church signed an agreement specifying the Orthodox Church's influence in government affairs and other facets of public life.
Russia.
A Christian news source reported valuable information for intercessors, which we will paraphrase: In the 90s, Russian authorities paid little attention to the influence of Western missionary organizations and evangelists. However, since 2001 there has been a growing campaign to expel missionaries from Russia. A few of those expelled are Roman Catholic, Mormon, Muslim and Buddhist, but most are staff workers of Evangelical church unions and Western missionary organizations.
Bureaucrats and representatives of traditional churches were slow to recognize the tremendous growth of Protestantism in the 90s. It's penetration into social and cultural spheres were overlooked. Anyway, authorities could not directly limit Protestant activities because most of them were under legally registered Church unions or organizations that had existed in Russia for more than ten years.
However, with the advent of the strengthening of central authority under Putin, Russian authorities and Protestants themselves report seeing significant changes in policy to counter this move. The KGB, renamed Federal Security Service (FSB), has now taken control of regulating missionary activities across Russia. Officially, the State security organizations explain that missionaries are involved in, or potentially may be involved in, âextremist activities.
The FSB postures before the public as the defender of patriotic values. This way, its anti-missionary actions escape protests and criticism from society or even from Evangelical believers or from missionaries themselves. Anti-missionary politics consists of clearing Russia of real or imaginary enemies without ever firing a shot. In contrast, such a victory is not possible in the struggle against corruption or in battles against Chechen rebels. Please intercede for this situation.
Northern Caucasus region:
· Please pray for a young pastor and his wife who pastor an evangelical church in an area which has suffered terrorist activity. Pray for a Drug Rehabilitation Center being established in their sphere of influence, especially for the finances for this team and facilities. It is the only one and the need is great since this area is a pipeline for drugs flowing into Russia from other nations. Tough times here and hopelessness result in the youth being troubled by this temptation pray.
· This whole region boils with ethnic/religious conflict and terrorist activity. Safety is a serious need for prayer as some place little value on human life. Pray that this scenario would change and that instead those being reached would realize how valuable each one of them is in Godâs eyes.
· There is a house-church and several home groups in the N.C. region. Please pray for these Christians as they worship together for the kingdom of God to come there in deeper measure.
· Pray for the establishment and development of Christian media in the Caucasus: television and radio programs, Christian television channels, Christian publishing such as the periodicals "The Time Has Come" newspaper, "Hosanna" newspaper, and others), and creative artistic publications.
· Pray that the creative potentials of the Christian churches would be joined together as a testimony of the love of God, and that the Gospel and God's desire for unity would be made known to the hearts of the people of the Caucasus through the media. This would involve the establishment of creative affiliations between churches and the raising up of correspondents in each region of the Caucasus.
· Pray that the Bible would be translated into the languages of the peoples of the Caucasus.
· The television program "Living Faith" in the Yessentuki - Kislovodsk area has some needs. Please pray for registration with the government, more workers, God's protection for the program "Living Faith" and the television network SIF, and the creation of a Christian television series.
· Pray that there be harmony and reconciliation where needed among the pastors of the North Caucasus Partnership. The goal is to develop partnership between churches and the enemy is against this.
· This partnership wishes to link interested people and churches in North America together for the purpose of prayer for the Northern Caucasus churches and to develop relationships with local churches in the region. Pray for healthy relationships between Western and local partners.
· Pray that the Lord would rise up new local leaders to work with the Partnership, and also that their pastors would bless them to do this ministry.
· Pray that God would continue to give a powerful and clear vision to each of the leaders of the Partnership concerning this ministry.
Ukraine.
Events in Ukraine this past month are so enormous for the Kingdom of God there that we have chosen two accounts the first (1) based on a report from a Ukrainian Christian leader and another (2) from an American who pastors a congregation in Kiev and leads a prayer network there.
Additional information (3) came from another missionary couple that has been in Ukraine for 11 years and their words were much the same. They were blessed to have a chance to spend time and interview a delegation of congressmen from the U.S., some of which were bold Christians. First the prayer points from all three accounts and then the stories:
· Please pray that division in the society cease and be healed. A serious division once dormant manifested in this election between the "orange" part of the nation who voted for Yuschenko and the blue" who voted for Yanookovich. There is a stronghold behind this and we need to pray against the spirit of rejection over those regions and individuals. Even the secular politics recognize it and mention the word rejection
· Also a big need is to pray against all spirits of lies and deception and fear in the minds of those people (blue) after they had been severely brainwashed and blinded. They idolize Yanokovich (Stalin spirit), refuse to recognize the truth about election fraud and have become very aggressive about those beliefs. They were brain-washed with a demonized image of Yuschenko and are now scared of him as a leader, expecting terrible things to happen to them. Please pray for God's peace in their minds.
· âRussian chauvinistic spirits are now very active among that group of people. Some groups want to separate Eastern Ukraine and join it to Russia. Please intercede for Godâs hosts prevent this mischief that demonic forces would use to divide the people of this great nation.
· One of the most dangerous people here is the Kharkiv governor Kushnaryov who supported Yanookovich and declared that he would never cooperate with the new president. In the middle of orange revolution he visited Moscow and had several meetings with key people in Russian politicum. I believe he is the next Ukrainian political figure Moscow wants to support and promote as opposite toYuschenko¦The battle is still on so please pray against the enemy's schemes in this situation.
· Pray that a good Prime Minister will be selected and that good choices will be made for regional governors.
· Pray that policies and laws will be enacted that give true religious freedom.
· Pray that crime and corruption will continue to be eradicated.
· Pray that the congressmen from America will provide a strong voice in behalf of honesty and integrity in Ukraine and thereby as a nation rise up to the potential that God has for them.
· We are also working on a letter, along with other pastors, strongly encouraging the next elected president to announce a national day of prayer and fasting, repentance, and confession of our nation's sins. We believe what is good for the individual, i.e. repentance leading to righteousness and salvation through Jesus Christ, also applies to a nation. Without repentance, there can be no true and lasting salvation, so please pray.
· One of the congressmen flatly stated, that Ukraine has the absolute potential of becoming a world power, raised up in justice, righteousness, and the rule of law. We ask that you would please, prayerfully catch what we are saying in the Spirit.
· Ukrainian Christian leaders are taking a Russian-language Video School to various villages, towns and cities across Ukraine and are praising God for changed lives for the students. Pray for God's anointing on the teachers and students and specifically for students in Kremenchug, Belaya Tserkov when the Video School comes there.
· We have been asked to pray for the Messianic Jewish movement in Ukraine. It is becoming stronger and there are Messianic congregations in Kiev, Kharkov and Odessa. Both Jews and Gentiles attend the meetings.
Following are the reports mentioned earlier:
(1) We have received some incredible reports from Ukraine since the election. With the win of Victor Yuschenko the body of believers there is expecting good changes and that this win will send a positive signal to many other Soviet republics.
Believers are reporting that "Maidan" which was the central square in Rostov where the protesters were gathered was forever changed. In fact, Maidan became the name of the revolution with newspapers writing about the "spirit" of Maidan, which the believers are sharing was indeed the spirit of God. Reports are that even unbelievers, when visiting the site of the demonstrations asked each other about the unusual feelings they were experiencing.
Many believers were there day and night praying for Ukraine and because of the strong presence of God, many unbelievers heard about Jesus and the truth of the gospel. One pastor was allowed by Yuschendo to lead the entire square in prayer for Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands stood in this central square and prayed to God! What a cause for praise and celebration.
Many who visited the site of the protest in Maidan say they will never be the same. They experienced a spirit of unity, freedom, love and generosity that was an outpouring of the spirit of God. Expensive restaurants brought prepared meals to feed the people in the square and offices in the center of Kiev furnished hot tea and coffee.
President Kuchma did not resort to the use of military forces even thought Yanookovich insisted on it. During the two weeks of revolution the crime in Kiev is reported to have been reduced by some 20% and although Kiev did not work for those two weeks the industrial output in November was reported by officials to be at a record high!
Please continue to offer praise to the Lord for what HE has done in this nation. Continue to intercede for this nation to become a powerful, shining example of the light of Christ among the former Soviet Bloc nations. Pray that all remaining corruption will be exposed and that many will find the truth, freedom and love of Jesus Christ.
(2) âIf the half were ever known, it could almost be another chapter or two in Acts. We were in the States, but our people in Kiev did amazing things. Our English-speaking church took all of their Thanksgiving celebration food to the square and gave to the people.
Some of our Ukrainian members were actively involved, particularly in the early days, speaking to the soldiers, gaining their trust, etc. The latest report indicates that crime actually dropped 30% and not 20%. Even alcohol consumption has remained low.
Most people fully agree that the two factors that helped avoid violence and bloodshed was the prohibition of alcohol anywhere in the demonstration areas and the prayers of people around the world. There is no doubt in anyone's mind about that.
Our people gave away socks, gloves, mittens, Bibles, and Gospel tracts. Several of our members were given unprecedented access right into the tent city to minister and pray with the people. Many had innumerable opportunities to share the Gospel. Our apartment was cleaned out of all Russian language Bibles and tracts by the young lady who was apartment sitting for us while we were in the States.
When we returned on 30 December, the moment we stepped off the plane and walked into the passport control center at the airport, we could literally feel the difference in the atmosphere. The next day we walked down Kreshatik Street past the tent city and could again sense a spiritual freshness.
When we got to Maidand and it was discovered that we were from America, we were immediately surrounded by dozens of people, laughing, speaking broken English, asking for autographs, giving us political placards, thanking us (as if we had anything to do with what had happened).
In any given culture there are perhaps two or three moments in history when an opportunity arises that will shape the coming decades or centuries. In its 1500 year history, this is one of those moments.
Therefore, world-wide intercession for this nation is imperative for the believers around the world. Please do not let up! Please cry out to God for the future of this nation. The president-elect has a few brief months in which to enact major changes before much of his power is transferred to the Parliament.
(3) Friends, in the 11 years we've been here, we have seen oppression, injustice, child abuse in it's most wicked forms imaginable, wide-spread poverty and disease, tens of thousands dying from radiation poisoning, and national and local governments crushing the hope out of people's souls, so that many wander with hopelessness, drunkenness, and committing suicide.
Many of the children we adopted were right at the next step to committing suicide. Mafia violence is widespread, and condoned through secret bribes and friendships with the government. Right now, for the first time in this nation's history, the majority of the people have been stirred up by God to say, "Enough! We want God's rule and His righteousness."
---
Forwarded by www.GlobalHarvestMinistries.org
EASTERN EUROPEAN PRAYER UPDATE
We are seeing powerful results in some of the nations we have been praying over. Now is not the time to let up. We must continue to intercede for God's plans and heart over these nations, as they exist in heaven, to be manifest in the earth!
Each of you can continue to help us in the following ways:
1. Send us information regarding the prayer issues your nation faces.
2. Share this prayer focus with others.
3. Pray with fervency!
Thank you!
Blessings,
Marty Cassady
Strategic Prayer Coordinator
Global Harvest Ministries
BALKAN NATIONS
Albania.
· Kruja, Albania for the first time ever, the city council put up a happy Christmas banner alongside those of a happy New Year. Praise God for this step toward openness in the things of God. Pray that now the door opens for the Gospel to sweep this region and many find Jesus.
· Please pray for Rick and Patti Roberts as they travel across the United States during their itineration process in raising resources to continue their work in Albania.
Bulgaria.
· Please pray for Australian missionaries as they stand alongside work going on there through several Bulgarian churches in 2005. Not only are they serving as encouragers, but as equippers and enablers.
· Please pray for the Community Development work going on there. As villagers (especially Roma communities) receive the word, they are also taught and helped in receiving the inheritance God has for them here and now on this earth.
· Pray for the business meetings in which creative strategies and plans from above are made and implemented.
Croatia.
· Elections - Please pray for the election runoff for president as neither of the candidates received the 50% vote needed. The President has a strong voice in the political process and is often seen as the face of Croatia. Please pray for this vote and for God's will to be accomplished. Pray for integrity.
· EuroAdventure 2005 - In July of 2005 people will gather in Split, Croatia from all over Europe for this event. This large evangelistic outreach has a chance to reach many with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray for this.
· Pozega - A prayer request came in from a church in Pozega asking for prayer as they reach out to the city and for prayer for the body there as well as they are experiencing difficulties from within the church as well.
· Varazdin - The church in Varazdin asks for prayer as they seek to reach out even more this year into the Gypsy villages and through the Alpha Course.
· Ante Gotovina - Through his attorney Ante Gotovina has offered to be interviewed and have his case then reviewed but is refusing to surrender to authorities. Please pray for resolution in this case.
· Please pray for the life-giving churches and parachurch ministries across the country. Pray for the staff and for upcoming ministry opportunities in the coming months.
· JESUS Film - The JESUS film is now being shown in 22-24 villages a month in Croatia and Bosnia. The JESUS film team asks for prayer regarding staff. They would like 3 more workers in Croatia and 2 in Bosnia.
BALTIC NATIONS
Latvia.
· Please pray for the children of broken families in Latvia as the Lord continues to move among them. Pray for the workers in Christian daycare centers as they supply food, Biblical instruction and spiritual help.
· The root problem among broken families seems to most often be alcoholism and rejection. One person was told that God loved him and then was able to receive the gospel. Pray for God's hand extended like this to penetrate hearts of the lost.
· In the poorer areas of Latvia, people are often desperate enough to steal. Svetlana was caught and the police took her away. Please pray for her and others like her that the Gospel reach them and penetrate hearts realizing that Christ is their source of hope.
· The Lord continues to move among the youth in several areas. One leader shares: It seems the Lord keeps bringing the Jewish youth to me for salvation without any effort on my part. Please pray for the youth of Latvia and especially among the Jewish youth.
· A missionary to Russia formerly, has now been called to Latvia and is applying for a residency permit. Please pray for wisdom, favor and resources in God's arranging long-term residency.
CENTRAL NATIONS
Czech Republic.
· Please pray for a vast apartment building city in Prague that is being evangelized by PTH. The area of Prague is called Rajska Zahrada which is also the name of the metro stop there and means Paradise Garden. Please pray for this outreach.
· A group of young marrieds is the focus right now, almost all are from non-Christian backgrounds. Please pray as these young couples make Jesus the center of their homes.
· Please pray for the Czech medical system. A young woman named Pavla has been stricken with a crippling condition to the brain and treatment of her has been negligent. How many stories have I heard like this about the Czech medical system? Please pray for the Czech medical and other professions that serve the citizens that they be God's hand outstretched.
· Please pray for educational concerns of missionary families for their children. Specifically pray for Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany for dorm parents and mentors to serve the young students.
Hungary.
· Please pray for upcoming Part 1 of the Romanian school for pastors and leaders to be held near Budapest this month. Pray for the teachers and students that the Rhema seed be sown on âgood soil and that it produce a bountiful crop for the kingdom of God back home.
· Resurrection Life Ministries is planning a conference in the late springtime to further encourage the vision for 24 hour prayer in their locale. Pray for this as well as a release of finances for their publication projects.
· Please pray for the Ellel Ministries Eastern Europe Modular School training to take place in late January.
Romania.
· A new President was elected in Romania. Please pray for him that God's plans and purposes for Romania become his. Pray against temptations to follow the ways of the world in liberality regarding morality and that instead crave the presence of God in every thing he does.
Slovakia.
· Trans World Radio asks us to pray as discussions begin concerning the possibility of programs in the Bayash language. This language is spoken by the Roma (Gypsy) people of eastern Slovakia. Pray that God will provide the people and funds necessary for these programs.
· Please pray for the Manor in Licince where Christian Slovak leaders minister as Jesus did (Luke 9:11) to the hurting and downtrodden. This is a very poor area which includes Roma villages. Pray God's mighty anointing on the staff there as they carry on this work. Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send workers and resources to their aid.
Slovenia.
· We have been praying with Calvary Chapel in Celje for recovery of Barbara who suffered a horrible car accident. Praise God for the latest report: Another Christmas gift has been Barbara's recovery. She opened her eyes finally on December 25th and has been recuperating well.
Since New Year's she has been speaking quite freely and yesterday she was so funny in her comments and things she was saying, she had us all laughing. While there is still a long road of recovery ahead of her, it's so encouraging to see that Barbara is still Barbara and she's such a joy in all of our lives, encouraging us even in her hospital bed. Please continue praying for Barbara's recovery and for her family regarding difficult decisions regarding future surgery.
· Please pray for a Bible study outreach in Ljubljana that many fruits be harvested for the kingdom of God there.
· The Celje church asks us to pray for additional men for spiritual leadership there, but let's cover the nation with that petition. Also pray that these leaders have âwisdom, focus, strength and protection, and a growing love for Christ, the sheep, and the lost.
· Pray for us to have the courage to share the gospel with the people of Slovenia.
RUSSIAN LANGUAGE NATIONS
Belarus.
Please continue to pray for the government to allow religious freedom in Belarus. There has been increased persecution against those not aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church. In October 2002, President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed new legislation purported to protect religious freedom which in reality provided government officials with tools to repress and control religious activities without offering any mechanism to identify abuses by these officials.
This law essentially prohibits all unregistered religious activity by organized groups or by small groups of less than 20 members. Foreign citizens can not lead religious activities and there can be no religious activity in private homes with the exception of small, occasional meetings.
All religious organizations must apply for re-registration within two years and the criteria for doing this are vague and facilitate abuse by government officials.
Only religious groups with 10 or more registered communities, including at least one that has been in existence in 1982 (the Soviet period of religious repression) can participate in religious publishing and education. Communities are commonly denied the right to establish institutions to train clergy and all religious literature is subject to compulsory government censorship.
President Lukashenko's policy of favoring the Russian Orthodox Church, results in discrimination against other religious communities, particularly Protestant groups. Local Orthodox leaders often influence regional authorities to deny registration or permission to build a place of worship. In June 2003, the Belarus government and the Russian Orthodox Church signed an agreement specifying the Orthodox Church's influence in government affairs and other facets of public life.
Russia.
A Christian news source reported valuable information for intercessors, which we will paraphrase: In the 90s, Russian authorities paid little attention to the influence of Western missionary organizations and evangelists. However, since 2001 there has been a growing campaign to expel missionaries from Russia. A few of those expelled are Roman Catholic, Mormon, Muslim and Buddhist, but most are staff workers of Evangelical church unions and Western missionary organizations.
Bureaucrats and representatives of traditional churches were slow to recognize the tremendous growth of Protestantism in the 90s. It's penetration into social and cultural spheres were overlooked. Anyway, authorities could not directly limit Protestant activities because most of them were under legally registered Church unions or organizations that had existed in Russia for more than ten years.
However, with the advent of the strengthening of central authority under Putin, Russian authorities and Protestants themselves report seeing significant changes in policy to counter this move. The KGB, renamed Federal Security Service (FSB), has now taken control of regulating missionary activities across Russia. Officially, the State security organizations explain that missionaries are involved in, or potentially may be involved in, âextremist activities.
The FSB postures before the public as the defender of patriotic values. This way, its anti-missionary actions escape protests and criticism from society or even from Evangelical believers or from missionaries themselves. Anti-missionary politics consists of clearing Russia of real or imaginary enemies without ever firing a shot. In contrast, such a victory is not possible in the struggle against corruption or in battles against Chechen rebels. Please intercede for this situation.
Northern Caucasus region:
· Please pray for a young pastor and his wife who pastor an evangelical church in an area which has suffered terrorist activity. Pray for a Drug Rehabilitation Center being established in their sphere of influence, especially for the finances for this team and facilities. It is the only one and the need is great since this area is a pipeline for drugs flowing into Russia from other nations. Tough times here and hopelessness result in the youth being troubled by this temptation pray.
· This whole region boils with ethnic/religious conflict and terrorist activity. Safety is a serious need for prayer as some place little value on human life. Pray that this scenario would change and that instead those being reached would realize how valuable each one of them is in Godâs eyes.
· There is a house-church and several home groups in the N.C. region. Please pray for these Christians as they worship together for the kingdom of God to come there in deeper measure.
· Pray for the establishment and development of Christian media in the Caucasus: television and radio programs, Christian television channels, Christian publishing such as the periodicals "The Time Has Come" newspaper, "Hosanna" newspaper, and others), and creative artistic publications.
· Pray that the creative potentials of the Christian churches would be joined together as a testimony of the love of God, and that the Gospel and God's desire for unity would be made known to the hearts of the people of the Caucasus through the media. This would involve the establishment of creative affiliations between churches and the raising up of correspondents in each region of the Caucasus.
· Pray that the Bible would be translated into the languages of the peoples of the Caucasus.
· The television program "Living Faith" in the Yessentuki - Kislovodsk area has some needs. Please pray for registration with the government, more workers, God's protection for the program "Living Faith" and the television network SIF, and the creation of a Christian television series.
· Pray that there be harmony and reconciliation where needed among the pastors of the North Caucasus Partnership. The goal is to develop partnership between churches and the enemy is against this.
· This partnership wishes to link interested people and churches in North America together for the purpose of prayer for the Northern Caucasus churches and to develop relationships with local churches in the region. Pray for healthy relationships between Western and local partners.
· Pray that the Lord would rise up new local leaders to work with the Partnership, and also that their pastors would bless them to do this ministry.
· Pray that God would continue to give a powerful and clear vision to each of the leaders of the Partnership concerning this ministry.
Ukraine.
Events in Ukraine this past month are so enormous for the Kingdom of God there that we have chosen two accounts the first (1) based on a report from a Ukrainian Christian leader and another (2) from an American who pastors a congregation in Kiev and leads a prayer network there.
Additional information (3) came from another missionary couple that has been in Ukraine for 11 years and their words were much the same. They were blessed to have a chance to spend time and interview a delegation of congressmen from the U.S., some of which were bold Christians. First the prayer points from all three accounts and then the stories:
· Please pray that division in the society cease and be healed. A serious division once dormant manifested in this election between the "orange" part of the nation who voted for Yuschenko and the blue" who voted for Yanookovich. There is a stronghold behind this and we need to pray against the spirit of rejection over those regions and individuals. Even the secular politics recognize it and mention the word rejection
· Also a big need is to pray against all spirits of lies and deception and fear in the minds of those people (blue) after they had been severely brainwashed and blinded. They idolize Yanokovich (Stalin spirit), refuse to recognize the truth about election fraud and have become very aggressive about those beliefs. They were brain-washed with a demonized image of Yuschenko and are now scared of him as a leader, expecting terrible things to happen to them. Please pray for God's peace in their minds.
· âRussian chauvinistic spirits are now very active among that group of people. Some groups want to separate Eastern Ukraine and join it to Russia. Please intercede for Godâs hosts prevent this mischief that demonic forces would use to divide the people of this great nation.
· One of the most dangerous people here is the Kharkiv governor Kushnaryov who supported Yanookovich and declared that he would never cooperate with the new president. In the middle of orange revolution he visited Moscow and had several meetings with key people in Russian politicum. I believe he is the next Ukrainian political figure Moscow wants to support and promote as opposite toYuschenko¦The battle is still on so please pray against the enemy's schemes in this situation.
· Pray that a good Prime Minister will be selected and that good choices will be made for regional governors.
· Pray that policies and laws will be enacted that give true religious freedom.
· Pray that crime and corruption will continue to be eradicated.
· Pray that the congressmen from America will provide a strong voice in behalf of honesty and integrity in Ukraine and thereby as a nation rise up to the potential that God has for them.
· We are also working on a letter, along with other pastors, strongly encouraging the next elected president to announce a national day of prayer and fasting, repentance, and confession of our nation's sins. We believe what is good for the individual, i.e. repentance leading to righteousness and salvation through Jesus Christ, also applies to a nation. Without repentance, there can be no true and lasting salvation, so please pray.
· One of the congressmen flatly stated, that Ukraine has the absolute potential of becoming a world power, raised up in justice, righteousness, and the rule of law. We ask that you would please, prayerfully catch what we are saying in the Spirit.
· Ukrainian Christian leaders are taking a Russian-language Video School to various villages, towns and cities across Ukraine and are praising God for changed lives for the students. Pray for God's anointing on the teachers and students and specifically for students in Kremenchug, Belaya Tserkov when the Video School comes there.
· We have been asked to pray for the Messianic Jewish movement in Ukraine. It is becoming stronger and there are Messianic congregations in Kiev, Kharkov and Odessa. Both Jews and Gentiles attend the meetings.
Following are the reports mentioned earlier:
(1) We have received some incredible reports from Ukraine since the election. With the win of Victor Yuschenko the body of believers there is expecting good changes and that this win will send a positive signal to many other Soviet republics.
Believers are reporting that "Maidan" which was the central square in Rostov where the protesters were gathered was forever changed. In fact, Maidan became the name of the revolution with newspapers writing about the "spirit" of Maidan, which the believers are sharing was indeed the spirit of God. Reports are that even unbelievers, when visiting the site of the demonstrations asked each other about the unusual feelings they were experiencing.
Many believers were there day and night praying for Ukraine and because of the strong presence of God, many unbelievers heard about Jesus and the truth of the gospel. One pastor was allowed by Yuschendo to lead the entire square in prayer for Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands stood in this central square and prayed to God! What a cause for praise and celebration.
Many who visited the site of the protest in Maidan say they will never be the same. They experienced a spirit of unity, freedom, love and generosity that was an outpouring of the spirit of God. Expensive restaurants brought prepared meals to feed the people in the square and offices in the center of Kiev furnished hot tea and coffee.
President Kuchma did not resort to the use of military forces even thought Yanookovich insisted on it. During the two weeks of revolution the crime in Kiev is reported to have been reduced by some 20% and although Kiev did not work for those two weeks the industrial output in November was reported by officials to be at a record high!
Please continue to offer praise to the Lord for what HE has done in this nation. Continue to intercede for this nation to become a powerful, shining example of the light of Christ among the former Soviet Bloc nations. Pray that all remaining corruption will be exposed and that many will find the truth, freedom and love of Jesus Christ.
(2) âIf the half were ever known, it could almost be another chapter or two in Acts. We were in the States, but our people in Kiev did amazing things. Our English-speaking church took all of their Thanksgiving celebration food to the square and gave to the people.
Some of our Ukrainian members were actively involved, particularly in the early days, speaking to the soldiers, gaining their trust, etc. The latest report indicates that crime actually dropped 30% and not 20%. Even alcohol consumption has remained low.
Most people fully agree that the two factors that helped avoid violence and bloodshed was the prohibition of alcohol anywhere in the demonstration areas and the prayers of people around the world. There is no doubt in anyone's mind about that.
Our people gave away socks, gloves, mittens, Bibles, and Gospel tracts. Several of our members were given unprecedented access right into the tent city to minister and pray with the people. Many had innumerable opportunities to share the Gospel. Our apartment was cleaned out of all Russian language Bibles and tracts by the young lady who was apartment sitting for us while we were in the States.
When we returned on 30 December, the moment we stepped off the plane and walked into the passport control center at the airport, we could literally feel the difference in the atmosphere. The next day we walked down Kreshatik Street past the tent city and could again sense a spiritual freshness.
When we got to Maidand and it was discovered that we were from America, we were immediately surrounded by dozens of people, laughing, speaking broken English, asking for autographs, giving us political placards, thanking us (as if we had anything to do with what had happened).
In any given culture there are perhaps two or three moments in history when an opportunity arises that will shape the coming decades or centuries. In its 1500 year history, this is one of those moments.
Therefore, world-wide intercession for this nation is imperative for the believers around the world. Please do not let up! Please cry out to God for the future of this nation. The president-elect has a few brief months in which to enact major changes before much of his power is transferred to the Parliament.
(3) Friends, in the 11 years we've been here, we have seen oppression, injustice, child abuse in it's most wicked forms imaginable, wide-spread poverty and disease, tens of thousands dying from radiation poisoning, and national and local governments crushing the hope out of people's souls, so that many wander with hopelessness, drunkenness, and committing suicide.
Many of the children we adopted were right at the next step to committing suicide. Mafia violence is widespread, and condoned through secret bribes and friendships with the government. Right now, for the first time in this nation's history, the majority of the people have been stirred up by God to say, "Enough! We want God's rule and His righteousness."
---
