Weekly Prayer Update
Friday, July 18, 2025
Children Living in Need in Ukraine
According to new data from UNICEF, around 70 percent of children in Ukraine—approximately 3.5 million—are currently living without access to basic goods and services such as adequate food, shelter, heating, and educational materials. This is a drastic increase—in 2021, before the war escalated in early 2022, only about 18 percent of children were living without basic necessities. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted children's well-being, disrupting essential infrastructure like water, sanitation, and healthcare, and exposing them to ongoing violence.
Beyond the immediate dangers, the war is also creating long-term challenges, including a significant drop in birth rates and mass displacement of families. The lack of access to quality education, healthcare, and social services is particularly damaging for vulnerable children, such as those with disabilities or those living near the frontlines.
Caring for children with trauma-informed ministry is a key way that Nazarene churches in Ukraine extend the compassion of Christ to their communities. Through food distributions, child development centers, kids’ clubs, worship services, summer camps, and Vacation Bible Schools, the needs of children and teenagers are prioritized.
Lord, we know that living in a time of war is particularly stressful for children. We are concerned for the millions of children in Ukraine who are suffering due to the conflict. Be with those who are in need. Connect them to services and support. Bring emotional healing where there is pain. Work through the ministry of local churches to uplift and support children and teenagers. Lord, hear our prayers.
Ministry During Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The humanitarian and security crisis in eastern DRC continues to escalate, bringing immense suffering to communities across the provinces of North and South Kivu. Armed conflict, violence, and displacement have led to thousands of deaths and forced millions from their homes. The members of Nazarene churches have been impacted alongside their neighbors. Worship services in several regions have been disrupted or suspended due to ongoing clashes, attacks near churches, and rebel-imposed restrictions. Many church members have lost their livelihoods, and church leaders report that trauma from violence, loss, and fear is widespread. Entire communities are facing deteriorating health conditions, food insecurity, and a lack of safe shelter and clean water.
In the midst of this crisis, local Nazarene churches, in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, are providing emergency food, water, shelter, trauma care, and livelihood support. Efforts also include mental health training for pastors, clean water projects, and outreach to displaced and refugee families. Though access remains difficult in many areas, churches are courageously responding to the needs around them with compassion and care.
God, we pray for protection, strength, and wisdom for church leaders who are guiding emergency relief efforts in the DRC. We pray for peace to come to this region and for the many who are suffering while it endures. May those who feel hopeless find supernatural support. Give us hearts that, like those of church members and pastors in the DRC, look for ways to bless others when crisis comes.
Food Security Ministries
Hunger impacts people in negative ways. Without adequate nutrition, children's minds and bodies fail to develop properly. When adults are hungry, they struggle to fully engage in productive work or generate sufficient income. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries partners with local churches to cultivate long-term agricultural projects and nutrition education that help improve people’s health and provide a source of income for individuals and families.
We pray for those who are hungry. May people find long-term solutions to hunger through church-led food security projects that affirm their inherent dignity and worth. Lord, hear our prayers.