On Thursday, Christian leaders from diverse backgrounds urged believers to pray for Ukraine, calling Russia's invasion of the country a dangerous situation that could have a major worldwide impact.
Russia on early Thursday morning invaded Ukraine, a sovereign nation on its southern border that declared its independence in 1991, shortly after the breakup of the former Soviet Union.
Below is a sample of what Christian leaders are saying about the attack on social media:
Franklin Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse
"This morning, we were awakened to the news that Russia has launched a military campaign against Ukraine. Pray for the people of Ukraine and for this conflict to end quickly. I have preached in both Kiev as well as Lviv, and large crowds came to hear the Gospel. Samaritan's Purse works with over 3,000 churches across Ukraine, and we are in the process of distributing over 600,000 gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for children through those churches and ministry partners. At Samaritan's Purse, we have many friends not only in Ukraine, but also in Russia as well," Graham wrote on Facebook.
"There is so much fear and uncertainty. Many Ukrainians are fleeing their homes toward the west. These families need our prayers," he added.
Eugene Cho, Bread for the World
"Lord, we pray for the people of Ukraine during this difficult time. Protect the innocent and vulnerable. Give wisdom to global leaders. Humble the proud. Lord, we long & pray for peace. #PrayForUkraine," Cho wrote on Twitter.
I’m moved by this recent picture of Ukrainian Christians kneeling in prayer.
— Eugene Cho (@EugeneCho) February 24, 2022
Lord, we pray for the people of Ukraine during this difficult time. Protect the innocent and vulnerable. Give wisdom to global leaders. Humble the proud. Lord, we long & pray for peace. #PrayForUkraine pic.twitter.com/upfK5qD9cr
Chris Hutchinson, senior pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Blacksburg, Va.
"Germany did not have nukes in 1939," Hutchinson wrote. "In terms of possible responses, this is very, very different. Never have our leaders needed more wisdom. Pray for them. Pray for Ukraine."
Germany did not have nukes in 1939. In terms of possible responses, this is very, very different. Never have our leaders needed more wisdom.
— Chris Hutchinson 🇺🇦 🕊️ (@CAHutch1990) February 24, 2022
Pray for them.
Pray for Ukraine.
Russell Moore, public theologian, Christianity Today
"Vladimir Putin is a murderer and a tyrant," Moore said. "He is an abuser of evangelical Christians, other religious minorities, and even his own country's orphans. And now he attacks a neighbor, a democracy, a friend of the USA. God save Ukraine."
Vladimir Putin is a murderer and a tyrant. He is an abuser of evangelical Christians, other religious minorities, and even his own country’s orphans. And now he attacks a neighbor, a democracy, a friend of the USA.
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) February 24, 2022
God save Ukraine 🇺🇦
H.B. Charles Jr., pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla.
"Pray for Ukraine," Charles wrote while linking to a prayer guide composed by the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board. Among the guide's prayer requests: "Safe passages out of conflict zones for displaced populations" and "Ukrainian believers as they seek to be a light in the darkness."
Pray for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/ChCMZpkTia
— hbcharlesjr (@hbcharlesjr) February 24, 2022
Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California
"Russia has attacked Ukraine," Laurie tweeted. "Let's all be in prayer for the people there. Pray also for our leadership that they make wise and prudent decisions in the next few critical hours."
As you know, Russia has attacked Ukraine. Let’s all be in prayer for the people there. Pray also for our leadership that they make wise and prudent decisions in the next few critical hours. pic.twitter.com/UvCnvkXloa
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) February 24, 2022
Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries
"Do not imagine for a moment prayer doesn't matter," Moore said. "Pray for Ukraine. Pray for divine intervention. Miraculous protection. Pray for the presence of Jesus to permeate households & hiding places & be a shield & comfort to them. Pray a psalm – maybe 27 or 31 – as intercession. Let's pray."
Do not imagine for a moment prayer doesn’t matter. Pray for Ukraine. Pray for divine intervention. Miraculous protection. Pray for the presence of Jesus to permeate households & hiding places & be a shield & comfort to them. Pray a psalm—maybe 27 or 31—as intercession.Let’s pray.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) February 24, 2022
Related:
4 Things Christians Should Know about the Situation in Ukraine
Ukrainians Kneel in Prayer Outdoors as Russia Invades: 'Lord Please Intervene'
Photo courtesy: ©Eugene/Unsplash
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
