Christian leaders share insights on Ukraine and how to pray

Christians across the United States are asking how they can pray for the situation in Ukraine. Numerous Christian leaders have shared their thoughts on social media.   Their comments come as hundreds of Christian organizations around the world organize millions to pray as well as physical assistance for millions of Ukrainians suffering on the ground.

“Samaritan’s Purse works with over 3,000 churches across Ukraine, and we are in the process of distributing over 600,000 gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for children through those churches and ministry partners. At Samaritan’s Purse, we have many friends not only in Ukraine but also in Russia as well. There is so much fear and uncertainty. Many Ukrainians are fleeing their homes toward the west. These families need our prayers.”

– Franklin Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse

“Do not imagine for a moment prayer doesn’t matter. Pray for Ukraine. Pray for divine intervention. Miraculous protection. Pray for the presence of Jesus to permeate households & hiding places & be a shield & comfort to them. Pray a Psalm — maybe 27 or 31 — as intercession. Let’s pray.”

– Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries

“Lord, we pray for the people of Ukraine during this difficult time. Protect the innocent and vulnerable. Give wisdom to global leaders. Humble the proud. Lord, we long & pray for peace. #PrayForUkraine.”

– Eugene Cho, Bread for the World

“Germany did not have nukes in 1939. In terms of possible responses, this is very, very different. Never have our leaders needed more wisdom. Pray for them. Pray for Ukraine.”

– Chris Hutchinson, Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Blacksburg, Va.

“Vladimir Putin is a murderer and a tyrant. He is an abuser of evangelical Christians, other religious minorities and even his own country’s orphans. And now he attacks a neighbor, a democracy, a friend of the USA. God save Ukraine.”

“Let’s all be in prayer for the people there. Pray also for our leadership that they make wise and prudent decisions.”

– Greg Laurie, Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, Calif.

Send.org put together a list of 11 ways to pray for the situation in Ukraine:

1. Ask God to redeem this situation by drawing many people to Himself. May Ukrainians and Russians discover that Jesus is the only true source of peace, safety, comfort, truth and freedom.

2. Pray that Ukrainians ultimately would hope not in governments, elections or diplomacy, but in Jesus Christ.

3. Ask God to deliver Ukraine from evil. May He have mercy and heal this land. May He give Ukraine peace and the chance to develop as a nation that values truth, justice and freedom, all rooted in the goodness of God.

4. Pray for a culture in which political disagreements don’t lead to hatred or violence.

5. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia can spill over into personal conflict within families, especially when family members live on opposite sides of the border and are influenced by different sides of the “information war.” Pray for unity and a love for one another that supersedes the problems between the countries.

6. Ask God to bless soldiers’ wives and children with peace and safety while their husbands and fathers are gone.

7. Pray for the various world leaders involved in diplomacy over Ukraine.

8. Pray that the evangelical church will remain united, even as it faces difficult questions, such as how involved believers ought to be in politics or in armed conflict.

9. In the past few years, the Ukrainian evangelical church has become much more passionate about sending its own cross-cultural workers to reach the lost. Pray that this conflict will not dissuade Ukrainians from taking the gospel message to Russia and to other lands.

10. Pray for Christians in the military. This is a challenging time; ask God to guide them as their faith is being tested in new ways.

11. Fears stemming from the conflict come up frequently in conversation. Pray that missionaries and other believers will have many opportunities to explain to their neighbors and friends the reason for the hope within them, even in this time of trial.