Today our journey takes us into the heart of eastern Europe - to a country that spent much of the 20th century ravaged by war, fought over by Nazi Germany and Communist Russia, and then trapped behind the Iron Curtain of Communism. The Belarus of the 21st century enjoys a measure of freedom yet remains very much an example of Communism and struggles with the after-effects of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster which impacted it most severely.
Yet this country, also called "White Russia", is filled with beauty and glimpses of God's grace. Opposition and persecution have not stopped the growth of the evangelical church; missionaries from Belarus to other countries are an increasing reality. Let us pray for Belarus today. Please read pages 138-141.
My prayer for today: Lord, we thank You for working within the church in Belarus, empowering them as they meet despite difficult circumstances. Thank You that the church is finding her voice and growing deep as well as wide. We pray for Belarus today and ask for Your grace in a special way on those impacted by Chernobyl. We pray for those dealing with physical and emotional after-effects. Give them wisdom and hope. We also pray for true justice to occur within Belarus; raise up leaders who truly want the best for the people. We pray for the church in Belarus, a part of the body of Christ I am especially eager to meet one day. We pray for wisdom as they face persecution from other "Christian" groups that have closer ties with the state. We pray that You will bring a special awareness to these other groups of the unity of the body of Christ. We pray for a patient, overcoming faith for the church in Belarus and for unity among the registered and unregistered churches. May the church develop in Belarus in such a way that it's obvious it's not a "western" church but that it is truly the heart of why You created Belarus. Be glorified there Lord Jesus, amen.
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