Pandemic Prayers Lift Hearts And Minds

The pandemic has been a fertile time of growing faith in our Ukrainian sites. When the restrictions began, the parent circle groups quickly shifted their priorities from finances to prayer. Looking to Chalice staff as an example, they figured out their own way to pray together each morning through phones and computers. "We've united to be a family and go through this anxious time of quarantine," the staff wrote. Every morning, when the bells at the nearby church ring out, each family lights a candle in their home and begins their prayer. They read Scripture and pray for the sick and for protection. Over the months, more and more families are asking to join in on the virtual prayer groups. This prayer has been a great consolation to the families. "We thank God for this gift!" writes the site staff. "This is a big privilege for the site!"

In our Ternopil site, families who once gathered in-person quickly set up online chat streams on a messaging app. These streams became dedicated to posting prayer intentions and requests for prayers. Families also offered prayers for their sponsors and Chalice staff.

Unfortunately, there were Chalice site staff members and members of sponsored families who fell ill with the virus. But when news got out to the community, these messaging groups lit up with prayers. This was a major source of comfort and solidarity for the people affected. They felt uplifted and cared for.

As the months wore on, so did the families' trust in God's grace, and He rewarded their faith. In the Berezhany community, two mothers were unemployed and frantic that they would be forced to leave their children with relatives to go in search of work. The online group offered special prayers for them to find local employment - and they did! In another case, a sponsored child desperately needed a glucometer, and the Lord provided it through an unexpected family member.

"Everything is in His power," writes the Pochaiv staff. "We knock to ask if we may enter and ask for help...the strongest prayers are common prayers as dozens, or hundreds of people are knocking on God's door at the same time."

 Follow Chalice on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates from our sponsor sites, impact stories, and more!