Gennady Podgaisky
Field Personnel in Krakow, Poland
He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more. – Isaiah 2:4
As I write these words on May 13, 2025, the 1,185th day of full-scale war in Ukraine carries on. A church we attended while living in Kyiv has prayed daily for the end of the war and for peace to come in Ukraine since the very first day of the war. Prayer warriors faithfully continue to meet every day, bringing “…prayers and petitions, with thanksgiving, presenting their requests to God” (Phil. 4:6). Despite the challenges and hardships, prayers for the end of the war and physical protection, there is also thankfulness and gratefulness. There is also a deep desire to be a blessing and faithful carriers of the Good News and God’s peace to near and far “neighbors.” Below are a few excerpts from my conversations and prayers with two Ukrainian ministers who live, serve and thrive in a war-torn country.
“I am thankful to God for my family, which is still intact and alive. I am grateful for God’s physical protection last night and the nights before. Even though there is some damage in the city from last night’s rockets and drone attacks, it could have been worse. I am grateful for God’s provision for my family. In the last several days, we lived like the Israelites in the desert—God fed them manna from heaven which was provided every day. We live in such a period when God provides our daily needs from different sources, and we have our daily bread.”
“Thank you, Lord, for your mercy and grace, that this day we have the opportunity to live and serve others. Thank you for your mercy that renews us every day, as it is written in scripture, ‘New, fresh mercies greet me with every sunrise. So wonderfully great is your faithfulness!’ (Lamentations 3:23). Thank you for your provision every new day and that we can do what you entrusted us to do every day. Thank you for people who support our lives and our service to you, who encourage us, who are praying for us, who carry us in the hands of prayer.”
“Thank you, Lord, for the special grace which you provide in order for us to serve others so that we, as your church, will be able to be present where there is great need and that we will be able to testify to people about your glory, to sow seeds of your Word in people’s hearts. Thank you, Lord, that we can stand firm and serve people in these hard circumstances for three years already. You lead us and protect us. You have a plan and intention for my life amid many hardships, challenges and war. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to serve others and to bring your Gospel to the people.”
Let us join these two persons and many other faithful followers of Christ in their prayers for the advancement of God’s Kingdom in people’s hearts in different parts of God’s world. Let us be a blessing to our spouses, children, extended family, neighbors, co-workers and anyone whom God brings into our path. I am a channel and not a well of God’s blessings. I am blessed to be a blessing! Let God’s blessing flow through me. Amen!
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.