Churches, Synagogues Attacked in Russia

At least 25 people died and 24 were wounded Sunday in mass shootings at synagogues, churches and police posts in the predominantly Muslim province of Dagestan, Russia. The count includes 15 police officers, a security guard, a priest, several civilians and at least five terrorists.

In the city of Derbent, militants killed Father Nikolai Kotelnikov of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, and shot police and security guards posted outside a Jewish synagogue, which they set on fire.

No worshippers were inside that synagogue or the one terrorists attacked in the city Makhachkala. But 19 people at a Makhachkala cathedral locked themselves inside and were later safely evacuated. A security guard died in the shootout outside.

The Republic of Dagestan is Russia’s southernmost province, bordering the nations of Georgia and mostly Muslim Azerbaijan. The small Jewish population there are a part of the historic Mountain Jews who have lived for centuries in the Caucasus region and parts of Azerbaijan.

The attacks came just three months after more than 140 people died in an ISIS-K assault on Crocus City Hall, Moscow.

Lord, please have mercy on persecuted Christians, Jews and all of Russia’s more than 182 people groups. Comfort those who mourn, heal those who are injured, and touch every heart like only You can. Visit Muslims and terrorists in their dreams. Strike them with fear of the Lord and show them Jesus is the only way to salvation, not violence and war. Awaken every heart in all of Russia to the hope that is only found in You. Give them a hunger for Truth. Remind them of where they have seen a Bible before or heard of Your love, and lead them on a search to find You. Jeremiah 29:13. Bring kind Christians to them to answer their questions and love them into Your kingdom before it’s too late. After so much fear and oppression and war, after so many loved ones have died or been harmed in such senseless ways, point the way to Your gospel so the peoples of Russia won’t miss it. Bring about a Great Awakening in that nation, with thousands turning to faith in You. Heal every heart by Your mighty hand. May the masses rise up in You, not in violence and destruction and fear and anger and oppression, but in love and in worship of the One True King. Increase Your church by the millions. Replace those in leadership who do satan’s bidding with those who will follow Your lead. Stop the war in Ukraine. Stop the war in Gaza. Bring forth Heaven’s resolutions to earthly unrest. Make a way for every one of Russia’s 115 unreached people groups and the world’s thousands of UPGs to have access to Bibles in their own languages. Don’t let even one more person die without hearing Your good news of salvation. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

Don’t miss a day of prayer. Subscribe to the Prayer Wall by entering your email address below, and receive each daily prayer guide in your inbox in time for your morning devotions:

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

For the prayer book 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, and devotionals and Bible studies for all ages on overcoming trials and walking in Christ’s freedom, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com

Any proceeds this author receives from the sale of the deep devotional Bible studies and other MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com books mentioned in this post go to shining Christ’s light in the darkness and seeing the nations come to Him. 

Thank you for your support! If you have any questions or want to help with this ministry, please contact Mikaela.