How do We Pray for Ukraine?
Praying in Times of War
Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine, Russia, and others nations who are involved in this present war. Much of social media is abuzz with posts and stories to pray for Ukraine and Russia as they are at war. Christians and also people of others faiths are voicing their desire to #prayforukraine. As Christians—believers in the living God, who hears and answers prayer—how are we to pray though while a war is raging?
I pray this article will serve as a guide and an inspiration as we fulfill our calling to pray as Christ followers. This is not an article on why this war is happening, nor a political opinion piece. Rather, in light of what the Bible has to say about war and peace, we are bothered with how we should be engaged in prayer now.
Here are a few pointers on those things we can pray for, with a comment on why, where it is applicable, and a prayer that ends each section.
1. Pray for Peace?
Should we pray for peace when the war has just begun? You almost have to pause and wonder about praying for peace when one side in a war has deliberately drawn first blood. I mean, shouldn’t we pray that perpetrators are brought to justice instead? And doesn’t that mean there will be no peace for a while, as justice is sought? We will discuss justice below, but the call to pray for peace is thoroughly biblical and godly.
The Bible has much to say about war. In fact, Jesus guaranteed that towards the time of the End, the frequency and intensity of wars would increase (Matt. 24:6-7&21). But the Bible also has much to say about peace—peace with God, peace from God, and peace among human beings. Our God is the God of peace (2 Thess. 3:16). Yes, He is the also the sovereign Lord of the universe and as such has control over war. He sets up and takes down world powers (Dan. 4:17&25), the process of which often involves war. But He is primarily the God of peace, because He has worked to bring peace between rebellious man and Himself (Eph. 2:14-17), and between men themselves (Luke 2:14). Therefore, we ought to pray for peace, even now. In fact, much more now.
In praying for peace in the midst of war, we are not only praying for the present war to end, but we are anticipating a future time when all war will end (Isa. 2:4). Further, when we pray for peace in the midst of this war, we are praying for the righteous reign of the Prince of Peace on earth, Jesus Christ Himself (Isa. 9:6-7).
Prayer: “Father, in Jesus’ Name, we cry out for peace between the nations of Ukraine and Russia, a peace that only You can give them. Grant the peace of Christ also to every troubled heart at this time.”
2. Pray for protection and provision:
There are many already who are facing a lack of basic supplies such as food and water as a result of the devastation Russia has caused in Ukraine. Let us pray for them to be provided for in these times of dearth—that God might provide those who are alive with food, water, clothing, and shelter. Not only is provision needed, but protection too, for many innocent people who are in the line of fire as Kyiv and other regions in Ukraine are under attack. Many have already died. Many have fled, and still others have run for various kinds of cover. Let us pray for the protection of innocent life—both civilian and military life.
Prayer: “God, our Protector and Defender, would you not come to the aid of those who are defenseless at present? Would you not protect both innocent citizens in Ukraine and Russia, and those on the frontlines? Send your angels, oh Lord, to protect those who need it now. And Lord, please provide for those who have lack of food, clothing and shelter. In Jesus’ Name we ask.”
3. Pray for the helpless and hurting:
Peoples’ lives have been turned upside down and ruined by this war for the foreseeable future. Many are helpless because their regular modes of existence and subsistence have been taken away. I was touched by one picture making online rounds, of Julia, a teacher, who has volunteered to serve in the Ukrainian army. The jobs and monetary assets of regular, everyday people, and of the poor, have been taken from them by war.
Still others have lost loved ones—family and friends who they will never see again. Hearts are broken. Many will be grieving with hope of seeing their lost loved ones again. Others will grieve with no hope of seeing deceased loved ones. The fear of what else might happen as a result of this war also haunts many. There are some Jews living in Ukraine, who survived the Holocaust toward the beginning of their lives, only to be haunted again now by the oppressive specter of war towards the end of their lives. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, to bind up our wounds (Lk. 4:18). Only He can help the helpless, and heal our hurt.
Prayer: “O Lord, would You please send help to those who are helpless at this time? Would You, in your kind compassion heal those with hurting and heavy hearts? Please give hope to those who grieve now with no hope—the hope found in Christ alone. May we as your people be the hands of feet of Christ to the helpless and hurting. For Jesus’ sake.”
4. Pray for the Church to shine brightly:
According to eyewitnesses in Ukraine, a missionary couple to Ukraine, in fact (whose names I cannot mention here), the Church there is thriving and resilient. This missionary couple have chosen to stay in Ukraine and continue to minister to believers there. There are reports that churches continued to gather this past Sunday (02/27/22) in Ukraine.[1]
Let’s pray for the Church in Ukraine to be faithful to our Lord in the midst of persecution and war (Rev. 2:10) May they continue to trust in the Lord, and may their trust be rewarded by Him. Trust in, and faithfulness to God for the Church mean not only gathering regularly when the odds are against us, but also remaining rooted in the Word of God, and in our faith in God. It also means doing what we can in good works to those in need right now in Ukraine and Russia. It also means proclaiming the Gospel during war time. And what we pray for the Church in Ukraine and Russia, we pray for the Church the world over. What an example the Church in Ukraine has been to the world so far.
Prayer: “Father, we pray for the Church in Ukraine and Russia to be faithful to the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ—faithful in word, deed, and doctrine. We pray You would bless, strengthen, and multiply the Church there at this time. And may the Church all over the world be encouraged by the faithfulness and faith of our brothers and sisters there. May people see our good works and glorify You in this hour.”
5. Pray for Justice:
There has been and will continue to be grave injustices throughout this war. But who measures justice perfectly and judges altogether accurately, discerning all factors? I can tell you who does not: not NATO, not the UNO, not the Hague, not any other manmade organization, nor any human judge! Only God, who is perfectly holy and omniscient—reading the heart-motives of every man. Our God is a God who delights in justice (Jer. 9:24), but also a God who judges injustice (Deut.32:35-36 & Rom. 2:16).
“All is fair in love and war,” the axiom attributed to John Lyly in the 16th century, is not universally true. There is often injustice in war, not fairness. The Judge of all the earth will do right even in this war—during and after the war. Justice will come—some of it in this world and some of it in the world to come. Yet in our longing for justice, let us pray for mercy as well, for in the cross of Jesus Christ, perfect mercy and perfect justice met. Justice through wrath fell of the head of Christ, but mercy was granted to all who believe on Jesus Christ. So may it be in this situation!
Prayer: “Lord, we plead with you for justice in this war between Ukraine and Russia, on the grounds that you are the Judge of all the earth, the God who is holy and just. None is perfectly just as you are. No one loves and executes justice and mercy as you do. Move in justice, O Lord. Judge injustice. But Lord, in wrath remember mercy. Have mercy on these nations. Save souls. May many people believe in Jesus even as you execute justice and mercy. For your glory we pray.”
6. Pray for the Advance of the Gospel:
As the bad news of war and its effects advance, so also can the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done advance. But we must be wise to the opportunity. Let’s pray that brothers and sisters will be led by the Holy Spirit Himself—enlightened and emboldened—to share the Gospel with those whom the Lord should put across their paths, in creative, caring, and winsome ways.
Prayer: “O Lord, in these trying times of war, when there is so much of bad news spreading, may people see the stark contrast of what the good news of Jesus Christ offers against the backdrop of a war-torn landscape. May the message of Christ have free course in Russia, Ukraine, and all over the world, so people will hear and believe in Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord.”
7. Pray for the Kingdom of God to be Established with Finality:
Times of war, persecution, affliction and distress on earth are always times to think forward to the Kingdom of God which will never be destroyed. It is for this reason that we do not lose hope when earthly nations crumble (Heb. 12:28). In injustice, we cry for the justice that only God’s Kingdom can bring (Rev. 6:10). In times of trials, we long for the coming of Lord to establish His Kingdom (Rev. 22:20). Of course, the Kingdom of God is already inaugurated in part among those who believe in the King (Luke 17:21). But we await the literal, visible, and final fulfillment of the Kingdom of God on earth, when the kingdoms of the world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Rev. 11:15) And so we pray…
Prayer: “…O Lord, let your Kingdom come, and your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Come, Lord Jesus, establish your kingdom on earth. Rule with your power and might in the sight of all, as King of kings and Lord of lords.”
8. Pray for Wisdom and Victory:
The Ukrainians have mounted a great resistance so far. They need continued wisdom to out maneuver Russian tactics and brute force. They need special military strategy, strength, and aid from other nations. The Ukrainian President has led with courage and tact. May God bless him and preserve him to lead his country on the other side of this war. More than anything, Ukraine needs the Lord of hosts Himself to rise and send them angelic aid that will route their enemies whether or not other countries help. Let’s unite in praying for Ukraine to emerge victorious as they defend themselves from the brutal assault on their state sovereignty.
Prayer: “Lord of hosts, of Heaven’s armies, we beg You on behalf of Ukraine and its leaders: grant them continued wisdom, tact, strength and aid. Do send your army of angels to protect Ukraine. Give them victory in this brutal onslaught from the Russians. Route their enemies and confound them. For the sake of Your great Name.”
9. Pray for the People of God to Pray:
That is to say, may we be more a people of prayer than we already are. The activity, art, and urgency of prayer has fallen on hard times these days. Why? Because other things have taken priority. Sure, we must pray during times of urgent need such as in this war between Ukraine and Russia. However, this does not remove our responsibility to pray in times of peace and prosperity.
As I alluded to earlier, based on the words of Jesus, we should expect more of what we are seeing between Russia and Ukraine to happen between other nations. Wars have always taken place from very close to the beginning of time. But as we near the End of time, the frequency of wars will increase. We ought to be more engaged then in crying out to God in prayer even as battles, wars, and rumors of war unfold before us.
In the Church today, many have converted the Mount of Transfiguration into a mountain of configuration. Planning has eclipsed praying. Controlling parameters for results has overshadowed communion with God and each other for revival. While the war between Ukraine and Russia rages, let us engage in warfare of another sort, in which our weapons are spiritual and unseen, but bring things in the physical and seen world to fruition (2 Cor. 10:3-5). Let’s pray, and not forget to pray for more praying among ourselves.
Prayer: “Father, thank you for hearing our prayers over these various issues. We know you hear us through Jesus Christ our Lord, and will answer in due time as it relates to Ukraine and Russia. As we end, we pray that we, Your people, would pray more: in all things, and at all times—in times of war and peace. Make us more a people of prayer than we already are, and teach us to pray: in total faith, assured that you will hear and answer, for your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Kenny Damara, 2022
[1] https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/february/ukraine-russia-war-kyiv-moscow-churches-pastor-sermons-pray.html
