Pray for Belarus
A castle begun around 1500 in western Belarus, a World Heritage Site.
Photo: Вадзім Новикаў, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Belarus
The capital is Minsk. People speak Belarusian and Russian. The largest faith is Christianity.
Source: Wikipedia, with the cited sources it lists.
Prayer briefing for Belarus
Last updated October 2026. Facts come from the sources listed below.
Current events
On 16 September 2026, Belarus freed 25 prisoners, who were taken to Lithuania, after talks with a US envoy. In return, the United States lifted sanctions on two Belarusian companies. The envoy said hundreds more could be released. The rights group Viasna says Belarus still holds about 886 political prisoners, while the government rejects that term.
We pray for: Immediate relief, safety and urgent help.
Leadership and politics
Belarus is a presidential republic. Alexander Lukashenko has been President since 1994, and official results gave him 86% in the January 2025 election, which had no independent observers. The Prime Minister is Alexander Turchin. Talks with the United States over prisoners and sanctions continue.
We pray for: Wisdom, integrity and justice for those in authority.
Economic health
Growth is slowing. The IMF expects the economy to grow only about 1% in 2026, with inflation of about 6% and unemployment under 3%. The economy shrank a little in early 2026. The government's own forecast is higher, at about 2.8%.
We pray for: Provision for families and honest stewardship.
Social and cultural issues
About four in five people are Belarusian and about one in ten Russian, with Polish and Ukrainian communities too. After the 2020 election, estimates say 200,000 to 500,000 people left the country, and some estimates are higher. Many families are divided by distance, and families of prisoners carry a heavy burden.
We pray for: Reconciliation, peace and protection of the vulnerable.
Spiritual landscape
Most Belarusians belong to the Orthodox tradition. A 2017 survey found about 83% Orthodox, about 7% Catholic and under 1% Protestant, though other estimates count many more people with no religion. Catholics are found mainly in the west, about a third of people in the Grodno Region. Small Muslim and Jewish communities also remain.
We pray for: Spiritual awakening, hope and the spread of truth.
Religious freedom
A religion law passed in 2023 required every religious community to register again and bars anyone linked to "extremist activity" from leading one. Reports say some parishes and churches lost their legal status. By early 2025, at least three dozen Catholic clergy had faced arrest.
We pray for: Protection for believers and freedom to worship safely.
Historical wounds
Belarus suffered terribly in World War II, and the Holocaust almost wiped out its Jewish communities, which had been over half of the town population. The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 left lasting harm. After the 2020 election, more than 35,000 people were detained in connection with the protests, according to the UN.
We pray for: National healing, breaking old cycles and deep forgiveness.
Let us pray together
Our Father, we come to You together for Belarus. We pray for those in prison and for their families, and for comfort for all who are separated from loved ones. Give wisdom, integrity and justice to those in authority. Provide for every family as the economy slows. Bring peace and reconciliation to this nation, and protect the vulnerable. Let Your truth and hope be made known in every town and village. Keep believers of every church safe and give them freedom to worship. Heal the wounds of war, Chernobyl and division, and lead Belarus in forgiveness and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Sources
- The Star (Reuters): US envoy wins release of 25 Belarus prisoners (Sept 2026)
- ABC News (AP): Belarus frees 25 prisoners as US lifts some sanctions (Sept 2026)
- Yahoo News (AP): Lukashenko appoints new prime minister (2025)
- Reform.news: IMF lowers forecast for Belarus growth (April 2026)
- Britannica: Belarus, people
- Wikipedia: Religion in Belarus
- The Tablet: decline in parishes under religious law (Jan 2025)
- EUAA: Belarus, the 2020 protests (June 2026)
More ways to pray
PrayerCast shares short prayer videos for the nations. Watch its video for Belarus and pray along.
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