Please pray for the upcoming Presidential Election in Ukraine

This Sunday, February 7, is election day for the president of Ukraine, a primary location for MDI's work around the world.

The election is a run-off between two candidates. The candidate predicted to win is Viktor Yanukovich, a former prime minister who was disgraced in 2004 by mass protests called the "Orange Revolution" which denied him the presidency after a rigged election (in which he allegedly poisoned his opposing candidate in the months leading up to the election).

Yanukovich represents the Party of Regions, which has brought to the Ukrainian Parliament a draft of a law “about sects” that limits freedom of religion and faith in Ukraine. This draft calls for prohibition of totalitarian sects in Ukraine. Definition of the ‘totalitarian sect’ offered in the law draft in fact puts in a compromised position any evangelical, counseling, or youth activity. Any organization that provides such work can be stopped and their leaders can be punished. This law potentially could renew control by the government of religious organizations.

Yanukovich is opposed by Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, a leader in the "Orange Revolution," who has strong support in the Ukrainian-speaking west and the center. Unfortunately, her ratings have taken a hit as Ukraine has sunk deep into recession and analysts say her fate may depend on a strong voter turnout.

Please pray that the people of Ukraine will turnout to vote to keep Ukraine free and democratic this upcoming Sunday. This day could change the entire face of MDI's work in this nation and beyond.