Dear Friends and Workers together with Christ
On June 22nd, in the 3rd year of the unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine, over 8000 people gathered in the Sport Palace in Kyiv for our 7th Major National Day of Prayer. Held under my initiative and led by Bishops of 20 Christian Confessions, military chaplains, government representatives, men on active service and ordinary people filled the venue… Yet even as the Prayer was taking place, at any moment a power cut or incoming missile attack could have closed the meeting... Praise God there was no incident!
My opening remarks were, “We're here, praying for God to change the course of the war today and give you the total Victory – to God be the Glory! NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM. This Day of Prayer, no man could bring it to pass under these circumstances. But we’re here, because God has a plan for Ukraine, to use your nation for His Glory. Ukraine, by the Power of Jesus’ Name, you WILL see the Victory!”
Preparations for this National Day of Prayer were carried out in the most dark and difficult days of this grim phase of Putin’s war: Ukraine was on the ‘back foot’ – for six months being without the promised supply of American weapons to defend herself against the Russian invader – who, without ever letting up, cast multitudes of his own men into the ‘meat-grinder’ of his senseless aggression.
Daily power outages, missile attacks, constant air raid sirens and serious legal limitations on holding mass events in wartime, how could we seriously plan for this Prayer to be held in the National Sport Palace in the centre of Kyiv under such conditions? As I had said, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, but YOU have to choose which level you will operate at...” Together with our partners in Ukraine, by faith, we chose to do it!
The work began at the end of last year. Starting with the Spiritual Council of Bishops, nine working groups were appointed to be responsible for the overall programme, for the prayer to cover every aspect of preparation, for the music and media programme (live orchestra, choirs, drama teams, high-end animation and graphics for every song), for the ushers and welcome teams – 1000 individuals were involved in total! Together they developed a fully integrated unity across denominational, generational and cultural divides – their shared heart’s cry to a just God.
All this was possible because of one man, Vadym, my representative in Ukraine. We are so grateful to God for him. It was his job to co-ordinate the work of the 9 teams, made so much more difficult by the war. We had to comply with the extremely high security measures required by the Kyiv Military Administration, City Administration, National Police and Ministry of Emergencies. This burden fell on Vadym alone. We could not even publicly announce the time and place for this event in advance – yet 8000 came!
The Prime Minister of Ukraine sent an official letter from the government, which was read to everyone present, saying: “I believe that this National Day of Prayer for Ukraine will become a demonstration to the whole world of the unity and unwavering faith of our people in the Victory of our nation.”
In my closing remarks I declared that next year will be a ‘Victory Celebration’! But before then, in October I will be back in Lviv in West Ukraine, again to pray with the people for the Victory.
As you read this I am on my way to my Prayer Mountain in Austria by car, and I’m driving! I have much to thank God for, especially the answers to my previous prayers up there at 10,000 feet – including my strong prayers for the power and authority I need in the coming days! I am conscious, as a servant appointed by God, that I do have authority and power with God and with man, just as God said to Jacob after that long night wrestling in prayer – Genesis 32:28.
Early in my life, I received God’s call and commission to the work that I am still doing today. God promised me clearly – from Scripture – to give me the men, the money, and the materials to complete the job. Now the Bible calls you and me ‘ambassadors’ – we represent Jesus and His Coming Kingdom. As Christ’s ambassador I need, and I have His authority to carry out the work He has given me to do!
When I return from my time of rest and prayer, my next mission is back in Kazakhstan, August 11-17, first to challenge and inspire the leaders and then be the main speaker at SOZO – the all-Central Asia Youth Conference. This is key to bring revival and the Power of God into the whole of Central Asia, with young people who are already on fire to evangelise but need to receive a greater boldness in these culturally Moslem lands. It is part of God’s challenge to me to set this whole Mission Field on Fire with the Holy Spirit as the first apostles did. It’s not about me – it’s the Holy Spirit, He has more power today than 2000 years ago, Jesus said so: we will do the same works He did and greater! I believe it and act in faith. I have demonstrated it all my life, hence my two miraculous healings from cancer and release from a communist prison in answer to prayer!
I have a packed programme this autumn – time is short, Jesus is coming; money is short, but God’s Power is not limited! The older I get, the more I need His Power – to overcome human weakness. But I am determined not to ‘burn out’ but to ‘burn up’ for God. I will not stop until my work is done.
Thank you to you, our supporters – without your help we cannot do the work God has called us to. Keep praying for God to give me strength and the finance without which we cannot continue.
David
Thank you for supporting this vision and ministry. We appreciate every prayer and financial contribution. To those who give anonymously, thank you. And to those who give regularly via Standing Order, we value you. Receive this blessing from 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, ‘We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.’