Our partners in Ukraine are begging us to continue praying with them for the troops remaining at the Azovstal iron and steel works in Mariupol. Reportedly, all civilians have been evacuated, but the soldiers remain.

The Azovstal metallurgical plant has been almost completely destroyed by Russian bombardment, and the nearly constant shelling continues relentlessly.

At the time this writing there were about 600 Ukrainian defenders left in the plant: they are wounded and exhausted, forced to survive in horrendous, completely unsanitary conditions. Many have open wounds that are only partially bandaged (because of the lack of supplies), and, according to our partner who wrote us recently, there is “no medication or food.”

Those defending Azovstal have come to symbolize the heart and indomitable spirit of Ukraine. Our partner shared a brief poem that is apparently becoming a mantra there:

… when you want to give up,

            because everything is cracked like crystal,

                       mention just one thing:

                                    Azovstal!

Let us unite in prayer that God would hold these defenders in the palm of His hand and tenderly care for their many needs, which include: protection, stamina, rest, food, water, medical supplies, and other provisions. Please especially pray as complex negotiations are underway to rescue all the Azovstal defenders. The wounded are in dire need of proper medical treatment and most of the soldiers will most likely need special trauma care services.

Thank you for your continual prayer support which means so much to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.