Just a few days ago, I knew next to nothing about a country the size of Western Europe! But having been asked to lead a prayer meeting for Kazakhstan, I began to read up about and discovered a nation that I quickly took to heart.

It was the last of the former Soviet republics to declare independence, and it has the reputation of being the political and economic powerhouse of the central Asian nations. There is a great deal happening in unseen spiritual ways though, too, in both good and bad ways.

It was amazing to learn that there were just thirteen known evangelicals in the nation at the time it came to independence (in 1991) – and now there are around 200,000. And from holding 47th place on the Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries where believers are most persecuted, it has shot up nine places in the last year to number 38. It is good and necessary to take this huge but sparsely populated country into our hearts in prayer.

I think you will be blessed to join us in this impromptu prayer on behalf of the Kazak church and nation that I recorded following our prayer meeting. We have subsequently set it to the music of Albinoni, Vivaldi, and an inspired improvisation for two recorders.

The main sources that informed my understanding of the situation in Kazakhstan for this prayer are: Open Doors, Open Doors World Watch, Eurasia Mission, and Go Serve. You can also watch this Prayercast.

Urgent prayer required for Christians in Ukraine

After three years of war, prayer remains essential and urgent for Christians in Ukraine, especially those who are being deliberately persecuted for their faith in the regions that the Russians have conquered. May we encourage you to follow this concerning information up, and turn the material into prayer? It is seed so worth sowing.

The makers of a new 13-minute-long film about Ukrainian believers who are being tortured write that,

In a region once celebrated as the post-Soviet “Bible Belt,” a rapidly growing community of Evangelical and Protestant believers becomes a prime target under Russia’s expanding occupation – enduring seized churches, tortured pastors, abducted children, and coerced renunciations as they struggle to keep their faith alive in secret.

For more information, and to watch the trailer, see A Faith Under Siege.

See also this article from a year ago about people who have disappeared, and churches that have closed.

Despite all this, the seed of the Gospel of Christ continues to bring forth fruit. The Baptist Union offers this encouraging update following the third anniversary of the war with details of its own work in Ukraine.

We remember our own brothers and sisters in Christ in Russia too. See this post on the Voice of the Martyrs website, which offers a brief outline of church life in Russia and areas under its control.

Listen to this prayer that I recorded for Russia and Ukraine ten long years ago in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine back in 2014. It is set to powerful music by Rachmaninov, and remains entirely relevant.

A prayer for the Church in Ukraine, and for the leaders of the nation

Father, we pray for Ukrainian believers who are suffering greatly at the hands of Russian invaders. We ask You to bless the film ‘Faith under siege,’ and use it to strengthen believers and to bring others to faith.

Swirling clouds and clinging mists,

Sweeping in the darkening haze,

Clogging, cloying, in the dimming light

Seeking to snuff out all praise.

Father, hold this dear brother

And this dear sister –

And those who preside and must decide

Though so much mars and bars their way.

Send whatever help is most required

From sources near and far,

Speak the words they need to hear

For You alone know the words that soothe

In the midst of all that is uncouth;

You hold the keys that alone make free

So at that at the last each one by grace

May take their place before Your throne.