“Russia, trust in the Lord Jesus, the solid cornerstone and foundation that never fails!”
So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.(Isaiah 28:16,NIV)
》 Country Profile
Continent | Central Asia
Population | 142.02 million
Area | 17,098,242㎢(172 times that of Korea) The world’s largest country in eastern Europe and central and northern Asia.
Capital City | Moscow (12.64 million)
People Groups | Total 185 Groups, Russians 81%, Tatars 3.7%, Ukrainians 1.4%, others 7.2%
People Groups Unreached | 116 (12% of the population)
Offical Language(s) | Russian
Total Languages | 129
Bible translations | Compeleted 56, New Testament 25, Partial 24
Religion | Christianity 57.6% (Protestant 1%, Orthodox 54%), Non-religious 30.4%, Islam 10%, Ethnic religions 1.7% Evangelicals 1.5% (2.13 million)
》 About Russia 2
Although 54% of Russians identify with the Orthodox Church, most do not attend church services regularly. A significant number of people in Russia claim no religion, a legacy of atheism promoted during the Soviet era. Meanwhile, the Muslim population in Russia is growing steadily due to immigration from Central Asia. In particular, the Chechen Republic within Russia retains a strong Islamic cultural tradition. In 2016, the Russian government passed an anti-evangelism law, prohibiting the sharing of faith, even online or at home, with violations resulting in fines or deportation.
Over the past 20 years, nationalism and racial prejudice have intensified. While Russia’s population had been declining since the Soviet Union’s collapse, the recent decade has seen a slight increase due to immigrant inflows. However, continued population decline is largely caused by worsening living standards and widespread alcoholism. Russian men have an average life expectancy of 63 years, compared to 75 years for women. For every 10 women, there are only about 8.3 men. Alcohol addiction among men contributes to severe societal problems such as domestic violence and divorce. Additionally, the war in Ukraine has led to a decline in the young male population.
Drug use among teenagers in Russia remains alarming, with 8% of the teenage population reportedly using drugs daily. Over 100,000 people die each year from drug-related causes. Since the 2000s, a low-cost, highly addictive drug known as “Krokodil” (dubbed the “zombie drug”) has become widespread. This drug is ten times more addictive than heroin, with users often surviving only 2–3 years after becoming addicted. Furthermore, over 50% of drug users are HIV-positive. In the 15–49 age group, 1.4% are infected with HIV, with approximately 1.1 million out of a cumulative 1.5 million cases still alive today.
》 Scripture Focus
| Isaiah 28:5-9, 15-16(NIV) 5 In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. 6 He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. 7 And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions. 8 All the tables are covered with vomit and there is not a spot without filth. 9 “Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? 15 You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.” 16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. |
》 Prayer Points
1. President Putin dreams of reviving the Russian Empire. After the Soviet Union collapsed and the economy worsened, Putin, acting as interim president, called for restoring Russia’s former glory. In 2014, he annexed Crimea to dominate the Mediterranean region. Known as the “Tsar of the 21st century,” Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a war marked by forced conscription, violence in occupied regions, and civilian massacres, drawing global condemnation. Let us pray for the Lord of Hosts to rebuke the Putin regime’s arrogance, which clings to deceitful imperialism and believes it can escape divine judgment. Pray that war and violence will cease and that Putin abandons his selfish ambitions, instead turning to the merciful Judge with humility and repentance.
2. Over the past 20 years, nationalism and racism in Russia have intensified. Extreme nationalists express hatred toward Western nations, former Soviet republics, and non-Slavic diaspora groups. Acts of violence, including assaults and murders of anti-racism activists and immigrants, occur frequently. Far-right extremists target people of non-Slavic heritage, regardless of nationality. Putin, who champions a “strong Russia,” enjoys significant support from nationalists.
Pray for the church, the body of Christ, to hold onto the hope that God will be a crown of glory for His people on that day. Pray for believers to respond to discrimination with enduring love for their enemies, overcoming evil with good. May extreme nationalists abandon their acts of hatred, embrace the covenant of the gospel, and be united in Christ.
3. Russia has one of the highest alcoholism rates in the world. Alcohol is the cause of 25% of Russian men to die before the age of 55, leading to a severe gender imbalance. One in four children under 15 grow up without a father, and domestic violence due to alcoholism is uncontrolled. Half of all divorces in Russia are caused by Alcoholism.
Drug addiction is another critical social issue. Eight percent of teenagers use drugs daily, and over 100,000 people die from drugs annually. A highly addictive drug called “Krokodil,” which emerged in the 2000s, shortens the lives of users to just 2–3 years after its first use. Over 50% of drug users are HIV-positive, and the AIDS epidemic is devastating young people, robbing Russia of its future.
Pray that God would reveal to these souls, trapped by sins like alcoholism and fleshly desires, the truth of their sinful being. May their lives be built on Christ, the firm foundation, shedding their old ways and rising as a holy church.
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