Christians and others in Belarus were stunned to hear Aleksander Lukashenko had won their last election, despite many voting for the opposition.

In the midst of a social, political and economic crisis, many in Belarus believe the election result was not representative of what the population asked for, Evangelical Focus reports.

Svetlana Tijanovskaya is the partner of the main opposition candidate and remains in prison. Officially, she is reported to have received less than 10 per cent of the vote. This is confusing to the people in Belarus.

Tijanovskaya filed a complaint for electoral fraud but was kept by authorities for hours before being forced to leave the country for Lithuania.

Many demonstrations have taken place since against Lukashenko. Police have reportedly controlled these protests with violence. Hundreds wounded from these demonstrations have received treatment in hospitals.

Around 6,700 are estimated to have been detained.

One Belarussian Christian who now lives abroad says it is important for others to know of the unrest in Belarus to raise awareness.

On Thursday, a joint statement was released on behalf of the Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists in Belarus, the United Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith in Belarus, and the Religious Association of Full Gospel Communities in Belarus.

The statement called for people to "pray for our country in accordance with God's command in Micah 6:8."

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)."

Many Belarussian evangelicals strongly oppose their current government. As a result, several have taken part in these dangerous demonstrations.

Their behaviour is likely to be perceived as rebellious by the government.

"Pray for all people, for those in charge, that they have the fear of God and remember that there is a Supreme Judge over them, whom we will all give an account to," the statement said.

It continued, asking evangelical leaders to "pray for an end to the violence and bloodshed,  and for all those affected and their families. Pray that the Lord will save us from hatred, vengeance and resentment.

"Pray that the people will turn through Jesus Christ to God and love Him with all their heart, with all their souls and with all their minds, and their neighbor as themselves. Only when we love God can we love our neighbor correctly."

According to the statement, Chrisitans are asked to unite in prayer every day at 9:00 and 21:00 and perform prayers at worship services.

This action is hoped to bring Christians in the country together during the time of unrest.

"Earthly hopes are not always fulfilled, but our hope is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the one who believes in Him will never be ashamed. And if there is no bright light in the clouds yet, then the wind will blow and clear them," the statement says.

The statement urges people to not allow indifference during this time

The Religious Association of Full Gospel Communities in Belarus were the first to respond with a statement Wednesday.

They emphasize, "the latest events in our country cannot leave anyone indiffferent. We ... must show our position."

They say the language of wisdom and prudence which creates families and cities is contradictory to the destructive language of military weapons and violence.

They ask for prayers that the leaders of their government will have wisdom and prudence.

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