Today marks four long years of war in Ukraine. Four years of danger, fear, loss, grief, anxiety, and fatigue for soldiers and civilians. And 2025 was especially difficult. Some sources say that three times as many attacks took place last year compared to previous years.
This was not God’s design for creation! We know He sees the suffering of Ukraine’s people. And we know the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is near, grieving with us and bringing strength and encouragement.
This is an important time for our friends in the USA to support and pray for our community in Ukraine. The stresses of the war are cumulative, and our staff members are tired – yet continue to show up and serve orphaned youth every day.
Friends, Emily and I want to share how we specifically pray about the war in Ukraine. We invite you to pray these things with us, and as God leads.
I pray:
- In light of Psalm 34:17-19, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
- For God’s supernatural peace to pervade the hearts, minds, bodies and souls of those innocents in danger and distress. And I ask God to accomplish lasting peace for Ukraine as only He can do.
- For the many Christians committed to the work of the gospel within Zhytomyr and throughout the country – that they would move forward in God’s power, protection and victory.
Emily writes:
Here are two ways I pray:
- I ask the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of the people who have the power to end the war or change the situation. Sometimes I’m asking for conviction of sin, or for courage to speak against those abusing power.
- For all soldiers and civilians in danger, including those in Last Bell’s community, I ask the Holy Spirit to tell them when they should stay and when they should go, so they’ll survive. And for those in life-threatening cold, to miraculously find sources of heat.
As always, we ask you to pray protection over Zhytomyr and our Last Bell family, and for God to move hearts toward Him even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty.
I’m thankful to report that staff member Sasha Akinshin is safely back home with his family after completing his rotation at the front lines. Praise God!
Thank you for praying with us. It’s an encouragement to our staff to know their friends in the USA haven’t forgotten them and continue to lift them before the Lord.
With hope in our loving God,
Marguerite Havard
Executive Director, Last Bell Ministries