Ukraine Prayer # 436

Ira Kapitonova
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
Psalm 40:10-11

God was merciful to our family. Last night, we left Kyiv to go to the village to spend time with my grandmother on her birthday. That’s why we could go to bed last night despite the air raid warning, knowing we were safe in our remote location.
This morning, I was shocked by the news. The air raid in Kyiv lasted for six hours. Russia launched 75 drones in 15 waves from different directions — most drones aimed at Kyiv. Thankfully, our air defense shot down 74 of the enemy drones! That's an incredible mercy of God! Unfortunately, it also meant lots of explosions near Kyiv, so many of our friends had a sleepless and worrisome night. Some fallen debris and destroyed buildings in a couple of Kyiv districts. An 11-year-old child was hospitalized with acute stress syndrome, and 4 adults received injuries. Thankfully, there were no other casualties.
 
It was the largest attack on Kyiv since May, and it was not by accident that it happened that night. Today, Ukraine remembers the victims of Holodomor (genocide of 1932-1933) and the artificial famines of 1921-1923 and 1946-1947, organized by the Soviets. Millions of Ukrainians died of starvation during those years because of Stalin's cruel attempt to break the spirit of the people who dared to resist the regime. Many governments have recognized the Great Famine of 1932-1933 as genocide. However, the Soviets did not succeed in breaking the Ukrainian spirit then, so they returned to our land years later with another genocidal attempt as what Russia is doing today is a continuation of aggressive policies of the Soviet Union towards "lesser nations."
 
I am grateful that this horrific crime is not forgotten, that lots of research and documentaries can tell the world the truth about those days. The Soviets tried to silence the truth, yet everything that is hidden will be revealed. I believe that one day, all the horrible crimes of Putin's regime will also be revealed, and the world will know the truth.
 
Pray against these new attacks as winter sets in. Thank God for his intervention.

Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team

Today's picture — every year, people throughout Ukraine light a candle in their window in memory of the victims of Holodomor. This is our memorial candle.