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In a rural village north of Moscow, more than 700 Baptist and Pentecostal pastors from across Russia gathered in late September to intercede for their nation.

During a "Heal Our Land" conference, pastors prayed for unity among believers, peace, and divine intervention in December elections. There is widespread concern that Communists and nationalists may gain power in the State Duma (legislature) in next month's election, resulting in a backlash against religious freedom.

"These pastors met to pray for their nation as well as call their nation to prayer," says New Life Eurasia director Dan Peterson, who organized the conference.

Russian church leaders were repeatedly challenged to model prayer and to lead their congregations into effective intercession.

"You are the most important people in Russia if you fast and pray," said Campus Crusade for Christ International founder Bill Bright, the main conference speaker. "You can change this country through prayer."

The idea for a united prayer effort grew out of the Global Consultation on World Evangelization in Seoul in May. Christian leaders recognized that divisions among Russian Protestants had been hindering the effectiveness of Christianity in the country. Church leaders hoped that Baptist and Pentecostal leaders praying together would lead to reconciliation and ultimately to revival.

While remaining together through most of the sessions, the two groups opted to meet separately during times of corporate prayer. But getting the two groups together was in itself a breakthrough.

About 500 intercessors will reconvene in Moscow November 16-18 to fast and pray for the nation.

Copyright © 1995 Christianity Today, Inc./Christianity Today Magazine

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November 13 1995, Vol. 39, No. 13