Pray for Ukraine

We are all shocked and dismayed at President Putin’s decision to invade your Ukraine, and appalled at the innocent loss of life that is taking place. As this crisis continues, our prayers for the people of Ukraine, and for the Russian leadership to see sense, are ever more important.

So we want to encourage you to keep praying most earnestly for an outpouring of the Spirit of God, that the world may once again choose peace, strengthening those international bodies that enable us to work and live together as one humanity inhabiting one world.

We pray for those in Ukraine who suffer grievously, for all who take decisions around the world, and for the people and leaders of Russia too.

Ways to Pray

Here are five ways you might like to pray:

Pray on the Hour

Set your phone to beep every hour, and stop whatever you are doing for 30 seconds to pray.

Carry a Flag

Print out the Ukrainian flag and put it in your purse, wallet or phone case. Every time you see it, let it remind you to lift the situation to God in prayer.

Read the words of Jesus

Jesus, in John chapter 14, promised a “peace that the world cannot give.” Read this passage several times, and meditate on what it might mean for Russia and Ukraine, for Nato, for China.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Pray for Russia, for President Putin, as well as President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.

Use a Written Prayer

Don’t despise the words that others have used in prayer. Often they can unlock our own thoughts, or give voice to our feelings when we can’t find the words. You can find some resources at https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/praying-peace-world

Use your Spiritual Gifts

When we can’t find words, the Spirit can intercede for us with groans too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

If you have the gift of tongues, you can use it. If you don’t, simply asking God to pray with you, and pray through you, is just as effective. Ask him to give you a word, a picture or a feeling of what is on his heart. You might like to write down anything that he says to you, so you can remember it and share it.