Russia and Ukraine - Peace Still Distant
Hope for an end to the war in Ukraine remains uncertain as Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled that his forces would continue advancing despite international calls for a ceasefire. Speaking from Valaam Monastery, he said negotiations with Ukraine could continue, but his conditions - Ukrainian neutrality and recognition of Russian-occupied territories - remain unchanged, conditions Kyiv sees as unacceptable.
The comments came one day after one of the deadliest Russian strikes on Kyiv in recent months. At least 31 people, including five children, were killed in a wave of missile and drone attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed willingness to meet with Putin “any time,” while also questioning whether Russia’s overtures reflected a sincere desire for lasting peace or simply a strategy to delay sanctions and prolong the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly expressed “disappointment” in Moscow’s refusal to cease hostilities, threatening additional sanctions if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire. Previous deadlines for ending the war have passed without impact, and Putin appeared unmoved by the latest ultimatum.
Efforts at peace have repeatedly faltered over the past two years. Talks hosted in Istanbul produced prisoner exchanges but no long-term agreement. Meanwhile, the human toll continues to rise, as relentless attacks force families into shelters and leave cities scarred by destruction. Behind the political manoeuvring and shifting ultimatums are millions of civilians longing for safety and a return to normal life.
In the face of ongoing conflict, Scripture reminds us that God is attentive to the suffering of the innocent and sovereign over the nations. While global powers weigh strategies and deadlines, His people are called to lift up both nations in prayer - for mercy, protection, and a peace that endures.
Prayer Pointers
- Pray: for civilians in Ukraine, that God would shield them from violence and provide safety, comfort, and daily provision.
- Pray: for world leaders to seek peace sincerely, acting with courage and discernment to prevent further suffering.
- Pray: and ask God to bring a just resolution to the conflict and soften hearts that are set on war.
Prayer – Prayer for the Church and those in Leadership
Lord, we lift the people of Ukraine before You. Protect the innocent, guide leaders toward true peace, and bring an end to this devastating conflict. Let Your mercy and justice prevail where human solutions fail. Amen
“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.” Psalm 46:9
Russia and China - Tensions at Sea
The waters of the Sea of Japan have become the stage for growing international unease as Russia and China launched joint naval exercises this week. The “Joint Sea-2025” drills, held near Vladivostok, Russia’s largest Pacific port, feature four Chinese vessels, including two guided-missile destroyers, operating alongside Russian ships in three days of mock combat.
The exercises include submarine rescue, anti-submarine and anti-missile operations, air defence, and coordinated maritime patrols. Though both nations claim the drills target no specific country, they unfold against a backdrop of global tension. Japan has voiced concern, citing the deepening military alignment between Moscow and Beijing as a potential threat to regional security.
The timing is striking: the drills began just one day after U.S. nuclear submarines reportedly shifted closer to Russian waters, following comments by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev that stirred fears of possible escalation. While public discussion of nuclear submarine movements is rare, these developments have drawn international attention to the growing risks in the region.
Russia and China have strengthened their strategic partnership over the past decade, holding regular joint exercises and military exchanges. Since signing a “no-limits” agreement in 2022, their cooperation has grown more coordinated, with leaders Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping meeting over 40 times. Their partnership signals a clear intent to project influence across the Pacific.
Beneath the movements of warships and the rhetoric of governments lies a quieter reality - millions of people live in the shadow of these exercises. Each manoeuvre and show of force carries human weight, from families in Japan and Russia to communities throughout the Pacific who long for stability and peace.
Amid the uncertainty, Scripture reminds us that God reigns over the nations and the seas. While the world watches the surface of conflict, believers are called to pray for restraint, for protection, and for peace that only He can bring.
Prayer Pointers
- Pray: for restraint and wisdom among world leaders, that their decisions would pursue peace rather than conflict.
- Pray: and ask God to protect those living in regions shadowed by military tension and grant them His unshakable peace.
- Pray: that God’s sovereignty calms global fears and prevents any escalation that could cost innocent lives.
Prayer – Peace at Sea
Father, in a world of rising tension, guide leaders toward restraint and peace. Protect those living in uncertainty, calm anxious hearts, and let Your peace reign over the seas and the nations. Amen.
“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalm 107:29
More: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/03/russia-and-china-war-games-sea-of-japan-trump-nuclear/
Sudan: Kordofan in Crisis
Sudan’s oil-rich Kordofan region has become a fierce battleground as the national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) vie for control. The conflict, now entering its third year, has already cost around 150,000 lives and forced more than 12 million people from their homes.
Strategically located and vital for the nation’s oil supply, Kordofan is made up of three states and home to nearly eight million people. Whoever secures the region gains not only territory but influence over Sudan’s future. Yet, amid the struggle for power, civilians face the harshest consequences.
Earlier this month, airstrikes hit West Kordofan’s capital, el-Fula, and the town of Abu Zabad, killing more than 20 people, including families sheltering in a school. The RSF has been accused of brutal attacks in North Kordofan, where more than 450 civilians, including children and pregnant women, reportedly lost their lives. Satellite images suggest some villages were deliberately burned, and many victims were trapped in their homes.
Fighting has intensified around el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, as the RSF seeks to advance and the army attempts to secure supply lines. Towns such as Umm Sumaima have changed hands repeatedly, leaving residents uncertain and fearful of what comes next. Aid groups warn that each day of combat increases the toll on ordinary families who have already endured displacement, loss, and trauma.
As the battle for Kordofan stretches on, the human cost is staggering. Communities grieve, homes lie in ashes, and many live with the constant fear of violence. Yet, stories of neighbours helping one another and families clinging to hope remind us that even in the darkest valleys, light can endure.
Prayer Pointers
- Pray: for protection over Kordofan’s civilians that God would shield families from violence and deliver the oppressed.
- Pray: and ask the Lord to bring peace to Sudan for God to soften hardened hearts, ending cycles of revenge and hatred.
- Pray: for the Church in Sudan for the to remain steadfast, bringing hope and comfort to those in despair.
Prayer – for the innocent and defenceless
Lord, we lift up the people of Kordofan. Protect the innocent, comfort the grieving, and bring an end to bloodshed. Raise Your Church to shine as a beacon of hope, and let Your peace touch this broken land. Amen
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9
India: Faith Under Fire
Twenty pastors and local Christians were brutally attacked in Kotamateru village, Odisha, while holding a Christian seed-blessing ceremony. The tradition in the region calls for a ritual chicken sacrifice to bless crops, but the eleven Christian families chose a Christ-centered approach instead. Pastors from neighbouring villages were invited to bless the seeds and share fellowship.
The group received verbal assurance from police that their gathering would be safe. After completing worship, prayer, and fellowship, the pastors departed together. As they travelled past a large neem tree, villagers ambushed them with sticks, axes, spades, and knives. Ten Christians were hospitalized with serious injuries, including deep head wounds. One elderly victim, Sukra Madi, was so severely beaten that he collapsed, bleeding heavily, and now requires surgery he cannot afford.
Despite repeated calls to local authorities during the assault, the attackers ignored orders to disperse, demonstrating the Christians’ vulnerability in a remote area. The pastors did not retaliate with violence, trusting in God’s call to love and endure. This reflects the teaching of Christ, who instructed His followers to turn the other cheek and leave vengeance to Him.
After the attack, police pressured the victims into a “compromise” settlement, a tactic repeated in previous assaults on Christians in this village since 2014. The settlement has left the victims discouraged and seeking God’s intervention. Local Christian groups organized peaceful protests, drawing thousands, yet legal justice remains delayed.
The attack highlights the ongoing spiritual and physical challenges faced by believers in regions where the gospel meets opposition. Amid fear, suffering, and uncertainty, these Christians remain steadfast, praying for healing, protection, and courage to continue serving God in their communities. Their faith demonstrates the enduring power of Christ to comfort and strengthen even in the face of persecution.
This story reminds believers worldwide that following Jesus may involve suffering, but God’s presence offers peace, healing, and hope beyond immediate circumstances. Christians are called to intercede for those in danger, support fellow believers, and trust in God’s justice and providence.
Prayer Pointers
- Pray: for healing and restoration for the injured pastors that God would restore their health and strengthen their faith.
- Pray: for protection and courage for Christians facing hostility for them to trust God to shield them from harm and fear.
- Pray: for God’s justice and peace that authorities will act rightly and victims find hope in His timing.
Prayer – For the church in Odisha
Lord, protect and heal Your children who suffer for Your name. Strengthen their hearts, grant peace, and bring justice according to Your will. May Your presence comfort them and renew hope amidst trials. Amen.
"The Lord is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2
More: https://christiannews.net/2025/07/29/pastors-and-other-christians-brutalized-in-odisha-state-india/
Olimpia Iacono, a young Italian physician, described how her vocation deepened beyond her medical calling. A mission trip to Argentina and her care for a terminally ill patient revealed the universal Christian call to love. In the patient’s hospital room, she witnessed suffering transformed into grace, demonstrating how simple acts of compassion reflect God’s love.
