Ukraine Prayer # 516

Ira Kapitonova
In my first post about this war (that, ironically, was written two days before the war started), I said that this war against Ukraine is not about territories or politics, but it is a war of worldviews and values. Every day I can see proof of this.
 
Many people from the liberated villages (or those who were able to evacuate during the occupation) say that Russian soldiers were appalled that most Ukrainian villages have outdoor lights, paved roads, and running water. They were looting Ukrainian homes to send their wives kitchen appliances and underwear. They were "hunting" animals in petting zoos and torturing dogs and cats just for fun. Again and again, in their intercepted conversations we hear a phrase, "Why do they think they can have a better life than we do? Let them pay for daring to live nice!" This is part of their motivation as they senselessly destroy anything good in Ukraine.
 
That is why I rejoice whenever I hear about the way our people respond to this destruction. I rejoice when I see pictures of volunteers cleaning the streets of Irpin from rubble for life to triumph over death. I have tears of joy when I read about a lady from a town in the west of Ukraine sending young trees to Kharkiv to be planted in the destroyed park. I rejoice when I see pictures of our soldiers with pets they find and rescue in the war zone because it shows their values and the condition of their hearts. I am glad that there's this enormous gap between us and "them" because it unmistakenly shows what we are fighting for.
 
Please, keep praying for Ukraine. There were a lot of missile strikes on Dnipro, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv yesterday and today. Russian troops are regrouping in preparation for an attack – pray for their utter defeat. Pray for Mariupol – may it be invincible under God's protection. Pray for the values and light to prevail over emptiness and darkness.
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Al Akimoff and the Slavic Minististries Team
 
Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Proverbs 12:10