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Some suggestions on how to pray for Ukraine

Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and all who are affected by the conflict. At Prayer Central we considered the following ways to pray:

Pray for Peace

As we look at Psalm 2 we see that:

The NATIONS are rebelling against God

1 Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.”

The LORD is laughing as his king is installed

4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.”

The SON is waiting to crush his enemies

7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:
        He said to me, “You are my son;
            today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
        and I will make the nations your inheritance,
        the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron
        you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

The PSALMIST is warning us to serve the LORD

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
      be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
      and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
      and your way will lead to your destruction,
   for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
      Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

And so we can pray…

  • …for God to be glorified in crushing the pride and plans of evil men; and that President Putin will be converted to faith in Jesus Christ, or his plans defeated.
  • …for God to deliver Ukraine from evil and to grant peace, so that Ukraine can grow as a nation that values truth, justice and freedom, all rooted in the goodness of God.
  • …for wisdom and courage among politicians and world leaders as they respond to the unfolding crisis; that they would fear God and not man.
  • …for a culture in which political disagreements don’t lead to hatred or violence and for truth, integrity and justice to prevail amidst lies and propaganda.
  • …that the war will not spill over into personal conflicts, especially where family members live on opposite sides of the border and the “information war.”
  • …that God will redeem this situation by enabling Ukrainians and Russians to discover that Jesus is the only true source of peace, safety, comfort and freedom.
  • … that ultimately, Ukrainians would hope not in governments, elections or diplomacy, but in Jesus Christ.

Pray for the Church in Ukraine

As we look at Psalm 13 we see:

Despair

1 How long, LORD? Will you forget me for ever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Appeal

3 Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

Comfort

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

And so we can pray…

  • …for God’s supernatural protection over believers and for courage and faith as they hold out Jesus Christ, the light of life, amidst the darkness of war.
  • …that the evangelical church will remain united, even as it faces difficult questions, such as how involved believers ought to be in politics or armed conflict.
  • …that believers in Ukraine would be supernaturally strengthened and encouraged by the prayers of their brothers & sisters around the world. Including ours!
  • …for Ukrainian and Russian believers here in the UK, as they follow the crisis and fear for their loved ones, that they would trust the goodness and sovereignty of God.
  • …for strength and wisdom for pastors, missionaries and church leaders on how best to serve people, so that the church would shine brightly in the midst of war.
  • …that missionaries and other believers will have many opportunities to explain to their neighbours and friends the reason for the hope that they have (1 Peter 3:15).
  • …that we would see Gen 50:20 becoming a reality through this crisis: that what Satan intended for harm, God would use for good, in the saving of many lives.