President Viktor Yushenko of Ukraine recently listed his agenda for Ukraine, in which he took a clear and unprecedented stand against corruption, according to Sunday Adelaja, pastor of the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations, Europe’s largest church in Kiev.

Adelaja has written an encouraging report about recent developments in Ukraine, published by Joel News and obtained by ASSIST News Service (ANS).

Adelaja writes: “For the first time in the history of Ukraine, the President invited the entire country to join him for a second public Inauguration and Oath of Office on Independence Square. Following the Inauguration on Sunday, January 23, he started his first working day with public prayer and blessing. He invited the heads of all Ukrainian Christian denominations to join him.”

“This is a totally new thing for our nation,” says Adelaja. “Remember, Ukraine is a former communist society.”

Yushenko then chose Yulia Timoshenko, a woman, as Prime Minister. “She is not simply the most popular politician in Parliament,” says Adelaja, “she is a born-again, Spirit-filled believer.”

The most interesting event took place when the Prime Minister took her Oath of Office on February 3, 2005 as President Yushenko listed his agenda for the country, Adelaja said.

“What shocked the whole country was the fact that he took a clear and unprecedented stand against corruption.”

Yushenko said: “My government will NOT STEAL! I know it is a fantasy in Ukraine to hear this, but I assure you that this government will not steal anything from the public. I take full responsibility for my government’s actions.

“My government will never give or receive bribes! I demand this standard from every member of this government and I say right now, that if anyone is caught giving or taking a bribe, he will suffer the full penalty of the law. I also would like to say that if you catch any member of this government in bribery or theft, it is your responsibility, as citizens, to please report the situation to me, that I might take immediate action.

“To the Parliament, I want you to know that we will never use money to shift lobby votes! That practice has ended, as of today! I demand that the principle of openness, transparency and uprightness filter throughout every department and cabinet. No decision should be taken in secret. Everything must be done openly and in public view.”

The Prime Minister then came to the stand, and made one simple point: “Our government has come to the conclusion that Ukraine can never rise on her feet until she bows down her knees before the Almighty God.”

Adelaja continues: “This takes us back to the Monday morning when the President started his work. After the prayer and blessing, he took his wife and children a few steps closer to the altar, and they bowed down on their knees, bringing the nation before the Lord. This is an unprecedented act in this part of the world and all the media and priests could do was stand in awe, and shock at what was happening.”

The biggest surprise to the Parliament was when the Prime Minister presented her 6-point program to the people. Everyone expected figures and calculations, but instead received a biblical concept of national transformation.

- Faith (in God, nation and individual citizens) – Justice (to build an upright society) – Harmony (between citizens and leaders) – Security (of individual people, national interests and properties) – Life (abundant life in every sphere through social programs) – World Relations (that Ukraine would integrate itself as a European nation cultivating good relations with other countries including Russia and the European Union)

After Yulia Timoshenko’s program was announced, the Ministers were named, Adelaja reports.

“We as believers couldn’t help but laugh at this point,” says Adelaja, “because of who was placed at the head of the SBU (Ukrainian KGB): Alexander Turshinov,” he said.

“This man, a believer, grew up in a Baptist family during the communist regime. The top assignment of the KGB at that time was to destroy religion and faith, Baptists and Evangelicals in particular. Now, the head of this dreaded organization is a man who believes in the very thing they tried to destroy. Yes, God has a sense of humor! The Bible says in Psalm 2:4,’He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”

Other new ministerial appointments of interest to Christians are the positions held by the Minister of Culture: a born-again Catholic woman, and the Personal Advisor to the President, Leonid Chernovetskiy, a member of Adelaja’s church.

“Everyone can testify that the new governmental appointments are people of high integrity,” says Adelajah.

Some of the very first bills passed by the Cabinet were designed to return stolen properties back to the citizens and the country.

“We know that the changes taking place here in Ukraine are born from above,” says Adelajah, adding: “And they are proving to be both encouraging and highly delightful! May you rejoice with us as we keep believing God for total transformation. Nothing is impossible for the Lord!”

Related Articles:

• SUDAN & BURMA: CHRISTIAN REFUGEES IN PERIL
• Pray for the World 6 February 2012
• PRAYER OF A HUMBLE SERVANT
• Prayers for Help in Times of Trouble
• Pray for the World (January 31, 2012)

This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Australia License.