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How to pray for Ukraine?
The needs seem so great and urgent that I feel inadequate to fully present the requests! I’m sure there are others who are much more qualified than I to present the needs. My desire is to burden you to pray for them, and to share how you can specifically pray for them.
My husband and I were called to Ukraine in 2005, and we moved to Kharkiv in 2007. The Lord blessed us with five children while we were in Ukraine. Our ministry started in the city, then we moved to a village just outside of Kharkiv. OUR plan was to spend the rest of our lives there, but God had other plans. He called us back to the States in 2014, where my husband was pastoring…until the Lord once again called us to the mission field, this time to Malawi, Africa.
My heart will forever stay tied to Ukraine. I love the people there and I am thankful modern technology allows me to keep in contact with a few of the ones I love there.
Many of them are living in high attack areas. I have put this list together from things they are sharing with me and others. This just skims the surface of how great the need for prayer warriors is. My desire is that I can burden you to pray for Ukraine.
How to pray:
- For Protection
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” Psalm 138:7
- In their shelters: In some parts of Ukraine, like where my friends are living, there is almost constant shelling. Some are hiding in shelters. Others are staying in their homes. They can feel the explosions and see homes being destroyed around them. Pray God continues to protect them!
- As they seek provisions: A friend recently stood in line at a humanitarian aid truck. While in line sirens and explosions started to go off. With no transportation running, it took her about 30 minutes to get back to her home. Even with the attacks though, she has to go out and search for food.
- Safety in Russian Occupied Areas: The Russian soldiers are looting, killing people in their basements, and raping women and girls. My heart is so heavy for them! Pray for their safety!
- Safety for Refugees: Ukrainian men are not allowed to leave the country, leaving the women and children vulnerable and reliant on complete strangers for assistance. Traffickers are taking full advantage of the situation. Pray for the Lord’s protection and wisdom as they cross the borders!
- For Provision
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
- Pray for provisions (food, water, & medicine-heart, cancer, asthma…) to be brought into high conflict areas
- Pray people can find food and water; and that they can afford it. What they can find is usually priced high. Without jobs during this time, this will make it hard to buy what they need.
- For Peace
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Not just peace and end to war, but for the peace of God that passeth all understanding to comfort the believers there! May they feel His presence as they walk through this valley of the shadow of death! The stress of living under these constant attacks is causing some to have heart attacks, and even causing children’s hair to turn white/gray. Only God can comfort them right now!
Lastly, and most importantly, pray…
- For People to Be Saved.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
- Pray for Ukrainian believers as they witness. Pray for boldness to share the Gospel!
- Pray for the lost that they would not harden their hearts or look at this situation and say, “How can there be a God?”
- Pray that they would see themselves as sinners in need of a Savior!
- Pray for missionaries who are going into high conflict areas to minister & witness.
There are still many times when I don’t know what to pray. When I do not know exactly what they are going through,I cling to this verse:
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself taketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26
God knows what they have need of!
For my Ukrainian friends, I want to say THANK YOU for praying! They can feel your prayers!
If you would like to help financially, there is a veteran missionary family transporting humanitarian aid to people in bomb shelters, and in basements across the country. Their names must be withheld due to security concerns, but you can donate to help in the link below through All Points Baptist Mission.
Link : https://secure.anedot.com/all-points-baptist-mission/helpukraine?submit.x=231&submit.y=10
My husband and I will continue to pray for the people of Ukraine. Thank you for the more specific ways that prayers are needed. GOD knows and loves everyone of them just as He loves us. He is still in sovereign control.