Pray for Ukraine, UAE, UK & Uruguay

Today and tomorrow we lift in prayer Ukraine. The homeland of Cossacks, formerly Ruthenia, the land has always been an object of fight between Poland, Turkey & Russia.  Known as the “breadbasket” of Europe it is a land rich in natural resources.  However Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 which lead to opening of the Soviet Union to Western intervention and eventually to its collapse, also devastated local economy, and caused decline in population.  For centuries Ukrainians were enslaved through serfdom to Russian ruling elite.  Today Russian-Ukrainian marriages blurred ethnic division.  Since Independence in 1991 churches grew rapidly for a decade, and then stopped.  People of Ukraine are very religious and Ukrainian Adventists provide leadership to majority of churches in other republics of former Soviet Union.  During the Soviet Regime Ukraine became home to many students from African countries which were on the path toward socialism.  Since then many stayed and some of the largest churches are founded by African pastors.  Yet cultural diversity is a slow process.  Pray for continuing development of church and mission.

Monday we lift in prayer United Arab Emirates.  The local Arab population is only 32% the rest are expatriate workers from South Asia and other countries.  Christianity is present mostly among the workers.  Pray for conversions to take place among Arabic populatin.  In 2010 Seventh-day Adventist church opened first building for worship there.  It also serves as the mission centre for the Gulf outreach.  Number of believers are present in Dubai.  Pray that this wealthy region will be the door for the Gospel into Arab countries.

Tuesday through Thursday we lift in prayer United Kingdom of the Great Britain (Scotland, Wales & England) and Northern Ireland.  The capital city, London with 12 million population is the financial capital of the world.  Pray for diverse communities living there in peace.  Pray for safety from terrorism as Islamic presence is growing.  There is a strong sense that a revival is needed as Judeo-Christian heritage has been eroded by post-modernism and public opinion is very secular.  There is an increase of paganism (Druid/Wicca) among youth. Formerly land sending missionaries today is in need of mission at home. In Northern Ireland Catholic population is increasing while Protestant is decreasing steadily.  Pray for personal revival of faith among believers.  England inner-cities are spiritual wastelands.  Pray for inner city church planting and ethnic outreach.  Adventist church in England is predominantly Caribbean, while Caribbean population is less than 2%.  Pray for the Adventist mission among Anglo-Saxon/Celtic people.  Pray for the mission work in Ireland. Pray for Slavic churches flourishing among immigrants to reach out and integrate with the wider European community for mission purpose.

Friday we lift in prayer Uruguay.  Formerly Catholic it has became very secular nation.  Less than 1% attend Mass. Evangelical churches had been growing among Russian and German settlers.  More outreach is needed, especially to the large Jewish community.  Afro-Brazilian influence of spiritism is popular among people.  Pray for spiritual revival.  The largest un-evangelised are the upper middle class along Montevideo coast, and the poor.  Pray for the mission to cross socio-economic boundaries.