War has broken out, and our prayers are needed as much as ever before. Read the concerns this month…
Robert Tšerenkov
District Superintendent, EMK
Dear friends,
As you all know, on February 24, when Estonia was celebrating Independence Day, Russia invaded Ukraine, unleashing a war on the European continent and sparking a refugee surge to the Eastern European countries. More than a million people have left their homeland to find safety. The situation in Estonia is calm and we are not in any immediate danger, however, the tension between Russia and the NATO countries is high and we pray that it would not escalate. That is why we ask you to pray for the war to stop and that a peaceful solution could be found. Also, please pray for all of the refugees, their safety, and their adjustment to new places.
The Methodist Church in Estonia has made preparations to receive refugees and the first ones are already arriving to our congregations. Also, we are supporting the Methodist church in Ukraine as they care for refugees in their homeland. We have started a 24-hour prayer chain and invite you to join it as well (the time slots are Estonian time zone).
Though we are in very concerning times, as the church we also continue the regular work that God has called us to do of preaching the Gospel, gathering for worship, and caring for people. In March there are also some extra events that you can lift up in prayer:
Thank you for your prayers and may God bring peace to this troubled time!
Link to the 24-hour prayer chain: CLICK HERE
This is a fast-moving situation. We are sick to the bottom of our heart by what we see unfolding in Europe. Thankfully, Estonia is not in immediate military danger today. The country is preparing for a crises and we are experiencing uptick in cyberattacks. So please pray for the security of the region. Pray for the Russian war machine to be stopped. Pray for the unity of allies and support to reach people who need it most in a timely manner. Estonia is helping Ukraine in every possible way.
Pray for the students, faculty, and staff who are directly affected by the invasion of Ukraine. We currently have 7 Ukrainian students, 9 Russian students, and 2 Belorussian students. Many have difficulty prioritizing their studies due to stress, economic hardship and war distracting them. Pray for their safety.
Pray for students, faculty and staff to prioritize what is important in light of all going on in the world and that they may be able to focus appropriate time and energy on their studies. And for the work for the kingdom through the seminary continue in whatever form it takes in the days ahead.
Thank God for providing us with new faculty member from Ukraine to help us at this time, Tetyana Radomska who can mentor our Russian and Ukrainian students.
We are grateful that our faculty Karmen Maikalu received presidential honor for her work as school psychologist leading efforts to deal with the youth mental health crises during Covid.
Pray for the school as we are expecting to hear back about accreditation of the school in the coming few weeks.
It is with heavy hearts but not without hope that we enter the Lent season.
Thank you for praying for us!
We feel how this terrific time has brought us together over the world. In Gods peace Ele
Our prayer requests:
We are still carrying the vision in our hearts together with Marko to see revival in ourselves, in our churches, and in Estonia. We have had five united prayer meetings in different churches here in Järva county. Next is gonna be on the 13th of March and we go to Järva-Madise Lutheran church. Pray for the unity between churches.
There has been some excitement in our church as Marko joined Paide Methodist Church and there is one family who has started to attend our Sunday services. May God give us a heart for the broken ones and the willingness to go and find them in our city to share the hope!
Üllas Tankler
General Board of Global Ministries
I am sure that for most of us number one priority prayer right now is peace in Ukraine and stop of war. I join with everyone in this prayer. Especially we pray for our United Methodist sisters and brothers in Ukraine.
Also, please pray for me as I am in the midst of many difficult communications between different partners and Ukraine leaders. I need wisdom and insight to create as much support as possible.
Thank you for your prayers!
Dear friends! Thank you so much for your prayers! Yes, these are critical hours, we feel that especially today is critical, pray protection for Ukrainian president and that the Russian president will reach to court.
Estonian independence day was more meaningful and we believe that after some time people prayed and sang prayer/songs from their hearts. The streams of help have raised and the better side in most has come up. Please pray that the hatred between nations will not arise and we will not see Russian people as enemies.
Praise, our youth alpha is doing well and there is a group of great young people gathering. Please pray also for our middle son that he will recommit himself to Jesus / there are good signs for that.
On Saturday we plan to celebrate 10 years from the very first Aldersgate seminars organized from Aldersgate Estonia, that it will happen, of course, it is wrapped in prayer for the current situation.
Pray that Estonian people and government leaders turn to the Lord!
We love you!
Vilja Ventsel
Tallinn Lay Person
Thank you for your prayer-support!
The most important thing is to pray for peace, both in Ukraine and in Estonia also!
Pray for people who are searching for refuge in European countries, Estonia included.
We shall celebrate our congregation’s 100th anniversary in March. Praise the Lord for it! Pray for our congregation, all different activities and that our church will be a blessing for many people!
Thank God, we’re having a teenage camp right now. Support in prayer for his safe passage.
Also, we want to dedicate several Saturdays in March to missionary trips to the city of Kunda, where we can minister to teenagers and youth.
Pray for a spirit of peace for the children and for the recognition of Jesus Christ as a personal Savior.
March 12 worship evening, pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit, Who is the Comforter. A lot of people need some relief right now.
God bless you.
Pray for the Seminary’s Ukrainian students, especially the considerable number that are in their final year, trying to complete a thesis when they are understandably worried for friends, family, and their homeland. Pray that God would comfort them and help them to focus.
The Seminary has a guest teacher scheduled to come from Russia to teach an elective in March. Pray that she will be able to come despite the situation.
Livia and Mark both have a considerable amount to get through in March. Pray that God would bring us through with His strength and peace.
Thanks for praying. It is the most that we can do.