Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, November 21, 2025
Cold Temperatures Complicate Life in Ukraine
The coming winter is expected to be one of the most difficult yet for people in Ukraine. The challenges of living through multiple years of conflict have taken a toll on much of the population. Millions are bracing to go through the bitter cold without enough essential resources. Frequent disruptions to heat, water, and electricity regularly plunge neighborhoods into darkness, often leaving people isolated and unable to access food and medicine easily. One year ago, a survey by the Ukrainian Red Cross found that 60 percent of people were experiencing food insecurity, and 50 percent lacked stable access to water, electricity, and gas. For families entering winter without any financial cushion, survival increasingly depends on support from others.
Nazarene churches in Ukraine continue to work to bridge the gap for members of their congregations and communities. From food distributions and rehabilitation care to child development centers and spiritual and psychological support, these congregations are standing in solidarity with children, teenagers, and adults in need.
Lord, we pray for the people of Ukraine. You see their needs; you hear their cries for peace. May that peace come swiftly, Lord. Move as only you can in the hearts of all who would wage war. Bolster the work of local congregations in Ukraine. Encourage all who serve. Uplift pastors and their families. Bring their needs to our minds regularly, so we can be faithful to offer material and prayer support. Lord, hear our prayers.
Displacement Grows in Haiti
Haiti is experiencing its worst displacement crisis on record, with more than 1.4 million people forced from their homes due to escalating violence and instability—an increase of over a third since the end of last year. The crisis is rapidly expanding beyond the capital, straining rural communities that are already coping with limited resources. Displacement sites are overcrowded, and informal settlements are rising as local families host the vast majority of those seeking safety. Women and children are most affected, often separated from family members as parents send them away in search of protection. With livelihoods disrupted and access to basic services severely limited, families face mounting uncertainty.
Nazarenes in Haiti are not immune to the impact of this instability. Church members have been displaced along with their neighbors, and some congregations have been unable to hold services due to security realities. Nearly all of the most impacted church communities are reporting critical needs, with church members lacking access to food, household supplies, and basic services.
In response, Nazarene leaders and pastors in Haiti are coordinating relief efforts that include food distribution to nearly 9,300 families, followed by support with hygiene items, household essentials, and construction materials. Plans also include longer-term recovery initiatives such as water treatment systems, livestock, and small business projects.
Lord, we pray for peace in Haiti. The crisis continues to stress residents and churches. Our hearts ache for the families that are struggling, with no end in sight. We pray for your grace and strength to fill those who are in need. Encourage church leaders and pastors as they work to uplift weary people. Help displaced families be able to return home and have enough stability to form, so children can attend school, and churches can provide regular ministry. Lord, hear our prayers.
Giving Thanks for Holistic Child Development in Peru
We thank God for the vibrant ministry of a Nazarene child development center in Peru, where children facing poverty and malnutrition are welcomed into an environment of care, hope, and holistic support. Each week, children receive meals and dental care to promote good health. Social activities and sports build friendships and joy, while tutoring and educational support encourage strong study habits. Through Vacation Bible School and daily devotionals, children deepen their faith and grow spiritually.
We are also grateful for the transformation happening within families and the wider community. Parents participate in workshops and regular meetings that strengthen family relationships and foster involvement in their children’s growth. The center has become a place of spiritual awakening and growing connection with the church, with many children and families embracing faith. This ministry is shaping healthy, confident children and strengthening community bonds.
Lord, we thank you for the life-giving work of this child development center. It’s making a difference, and we praise you for the growth the staff report in the children and their families. We pray for continued growth and lasting impact. Lord, hear our prayers.
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