8 Resources to Help Pray for Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine | Robert Anasch photo | Unsplash

By Staff

1. 4 Reasons Why Christians Should Care About What’s Happening in Ukraine

“In addition to the senseless loss and destruction of human lives, there are multiple reasons why we should care about what’s happening between Ukraine and Russia,” writes Chelsea Sobolik and Hannah Daniel. “These reasons are grounded in geopolitical perspectives, humanitarian concerns, and biblical realities.” Read more …

2. As Russia Invades Ukraine, Pastors Stay to Serve, Pray … and Resist

Christianity Today reported on what Ukrainian pastors are doing in the midst of the invasion, including ways to pray, like this one from Taras Dyatlik, the regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia with Overseas Council:

Please pray about Russian Christians that they would raise their prayers and voice toward Russian government to stop the aggression; [that they] would not keep silent; please pray for the Western governments, of the US and European Union.

Finally, please pray about Ukrainian Christians, that we will serve and live as the community of hope in a full sense of this term; that during these terrible times we would invite more and more people to the relationships with God and His children, to the relationships of love, hope, encouragement, support; that our minds and characters would continue to transform into the character of Jesus Christ.

3. To Stay and Serve: Why We Didn’t Flee Ukraine

Vasyl Ostryi is pastor at Irpin Bible Church and professor of youth ministry at Kyiv Theological Seminary. Writing at The Gospel Coalition, he says, “I’m convinced that if the church is not relevant at a time of crisis, then it is not relevant in a time of peace.” This is why he has chosen to stay with his wife and children during the invasion:

We have decided to stay, both as a family and as a church. When this is over, the citizens of Kyiv will remember how Christians have responded in their time of need.

And while the church may not fight like the nation, we still believe we have a role to play in this struggle. We will shelter the weak, serve the suffering, and mend the broken. And as we do, we offer the unshakable hope of Christ and his gospel. While we may feel helpless in the face of such a crisis, we can pray like Esther. Ukraine is not God’s covenant people, but like Israel, our hope is that the Lord will remove the danger as he did for his ancient people. And as we stay, we pray the church in Ukraine will faithfully trust the Lord and serve our neighbors.

4. IMB President Visit With Refugees, Relief Workers on Ukraine-Poland Border

The International Mission Board (IMB), is working with local partners through Send Relief, the combined compassion ministry effort of IMB and the North American Mission Board (NAMB), to respond to the crisis.

IMB President Paul Chitwood released the below video from Eastern Europe. You can read the story here.

5. ‘Miracle From God’ Needed, Ukrainian Baptist Leader Says

Yaroslav Pyzh is the president of the Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary in Lviv, Ukraine and a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In a Zoom interview with Baptist Press, Pyzh relayed how Christians can help the seminary assist fellow Ukrainians. Read more …