Local prayer services set for Ukraine, hot spots around globe

The strife in war-torn Ukraine is prompting a call in Franklin County for people of all faiths and across denominational lines to come together to pray for God’s intervention in this latest international crisis.

Emory May, who pastors McCall Creek Baptist Church, said he felt led on Sunday in seeking to call on believers from across Southwest Mississippi to join in back-to-back weekends of prayer.

“This is a terrible time for Ukrainians and for those who serve or have served as missionaries to this European country,” May said.

“We need to pray for the safety of the people caught in the middle of this war and for a swift end to this situation that greatly impacts our entire world.”

Russian forces crossed the border into Ukraine on Thursday, Feb. 24, an act that drew pretty much universal condemnation from other countries around the globe.

May said the battle between the two nations — one of the first such open engagements on the European continent since the end of World War II — should be of concern to everyone.

“We know that war leads to human suffering and loss of life, and we, as Christians, need to take this situation to God and pray for everyone affected,” May continued.

He said plans were being made for three prayer services locally.

“On Saturday, March 5, we’re asking for area women and girls to join in prayer at McCall Creek Baptist Church beginning at 1 p.m.,” May noted.

“Then, at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 13, a service will be held for men and boys in our county and region to pray about this situation at the church.”

McCall Creek Baptist Church is located off U.S. Highway 84 East in Franklin County.

He said a third prayer service — featuring a long-time missionary to Ukraine — will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 26 at the Bude Community Foundation building on Main Street.

“While much of our attention during these services will be focused on Ukraine, we also want to pray for nations like Taiwan and Israel, which are also under constant threat from other countries and groups,” May added.

“We need to seek God’s power, authority and wisdom through prayer to strengthen and guide His people and help them stay strong in their fight for survival.

“During difficult times like these, we need to join our voices across all lines — denominational, gender and ethic backgrounds — to share a common prayer to God in seeking grace and peace to rule in the hearts and minds of all involved.”

May, who previously served as a missionary to Fiji, is no stranger to seeing unrest first-hand as he witnessed a coup d’etat — an overthrow of the governing body — in that South Pacific nation.

“In times of strife around us, our hearts and minds need to turn to God, who is the architect of love and peace,” he said.

“I hope people will come and join us starting this weekend as we lift every voice to the Lord for understanding.”