Blog Politics Don't Forget Russia

While we focus on Ukraine and what they are going through, it is easy to forget about the needs of the Russian people. Putin never consulted the citizens on whether or not they wanted him to go to war and try to take over Ukraine. Some citizens are courageous enough to protest. 

But Russia has a long history of ignoring its own people or simply cutting them down when certain segments prove rebellious. While we pray for the believers in Ukraine, let us not forget the 87% or so in Russia who claim to be believers.

While the Russian constitution gives lip service to freedom of religion, there is a specific law making Christianity unconstitutional. Those caught sharing their faith may not ever be heard from again, or they are made an example of. Those attending the elegant stained-glass churches, those still open for services, are mainly attended by the elderly who are left alone if that is all the attenders do.

Christians meet in secret, behind closed doors, and in unexpected locations. They move often and meet in small groups. But they do find ways to communicate and meet. Even the decades and decades of repression hasn’t managed to stamp out Christianity nor has repression managed to stop the sharing of the Christian message of hope.

The church may be hiding and underground, but it is real and thriving--despite persecution, despite the risk. When we pray, let us not turn anger at what the Russian government is doing onto its citizens. Instead, let us pray for them as fervently as we pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Ukraine. The key to change is fervent and serious, believing, prayer. Let’s pray.

(c) 2022 Carolyn R Scheidies
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