25th January, 2011

As Moscow's Domodedovo airport was today rocked by a bomb blast, with at least 35 killed and 100 injured, Russian Ministries is urging Christians around the world to pray for God's peace in Russia following this tragedy.

"Please pray for the entire country and for the Moscovites who have lost their loved ones and those trying to find out what has happened to their relatives," said Paul Tokarchouk, Russian Ministries’ in-country affiliate in Moscow.

He added: "Pray for stability in the country, that it won't create any waves, that peace from God would remain."

Russia's chief investigator said terrorists were behind the attack. President Dmitry Medvedev vowed they would be tracked down. The airport is 40km (25 miles) south-east of the city centre.

In the aftermath of the blasts, Mr Medvedev ordered increased security across Russia's capital, its airports and other transport hubs, and called an emergency meeting with top officials.

He also postponed his planned departure for this week's World Economic Forum at Davos.

Reports suggest Monday's blast at Domodedovo - the busiest airport serving Russia's capital - hit the baggage reclaim area of the international arrivals hall.

Paul Tokarchouk says he's in shock as he was at Domodedovo aiport just a week ago: "We'd been visiting many ministry sites where our School Without Walls leaders were carrying out our Project Hope Christmas outreach to more than 50,000 needy kids. Pray that we can continue our work, training Next Generation leaders that they would be peacemakers in these difficult times. We hope there will be no more victims and no more tragedies."

~ www.russian-ministries.org

- PETER WOODING, Assist News Service