Finding A Response For Ukraine
I’m on the other side of the globe as I read through the latest news about Ukraine and Russia.
It feels so distant and strange, like something out of a Bond movie or a Jack Reacher novel. Invasion, soldiers leaving their families to go and fight, people displaced, and every-day civilians learning how to manoeuvre weaponry.
It’s definitely not something I thought I would be witnessing, albeit from far away, in 2022.
It’s not the time to nod sadly and say “how awful” however, it’s the time to get ourselves acquainted with deep and poignant prayer on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are in dire need.
I’ll be honest, this isn’t my strong point. I pray and I talk with God, but if there’s no guide then I really struggle to make sense of what I’m speaking with Him about how to listen for His voice in that space.
So today, I wanted to help myself with that as much as I wanted to help you.
Here are some verses that you can pray in your quiet time over Ukraine and Russia, and some guidance on what to say when you’re lost for words.
We picture Russia and Ukraine here and we pray for the leaders who are in positions of extreme power and decision making. We pray for God’s Spirit to be evident and at work, moving amongst His people in both Ukraine and Russia at this time.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are [a]crushed in spirit.”-Psalm 34:18 NASB
This verse is simple, and yet so poignant. God does two things when His people are brokenhearted and suffering - first, He moves even closer than He already is and second, he breathes fresh life into the hurting people. It doesn’t say that the pain and circumstances are gone, even though we know that God is more than capable of doing that. It simply states that in our trials and our valleys, God lifts us up so that we are able to carry on. We pray this intently for the people of Ukraine, but also the people of Russia who oppose the decisions of their leaders.
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”-1 John 4:4 NASB
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”-John 16:33 NASB
The second part of 1 John 4:4 brings comfort to those who might not be able to get to loved ones in the middle of these circumstances - God has already announced just how great He is in comparison to just how small the world is, and in John 16:33 we see are encouraged to not fear because His power and sovereignty over the forces of this world have already been triumphant. God has already won the war that His children face here on earth. He is bigger than all of it combined and nothing is outside of His wheelhouse. We pray that His grandeur, His peace and His provision show up in huge and meaningful ways in the lives of His people in Ukraine.
If you are hurting or feeling anxious about the struggles taking place in Ukraine, no matter how far removed you may be from it all, prayer should always be your first port of call.
Take it all to God, on your knees or in your journal, and pour out your requests to the One who hears. Rest assured that He is listening closely and is sovereign over everything we bring to His feet.
Trust that the powers He has instilled in our world are there for a purpose, but that He will also remove them when their time has come - just as He did with Saul and David. Saul was anointed and chosen, but his time on the throne wore thin and he made awful decisions. God removed His Spirit from the king and appointed a new ruler. The same is true today - those who have been given great power and responsibility will never last. God’s plan always eventuates despite the best efforts of man.
Before you give voice to anything that you see going on in our world, always remember that you should do your own research. Just because others are talking about it or posting about it doesn’t mean that it’s necessary for you to do so too. You do not need to speak into every event - you just need to bring it to God.
So the next time you see a piece of news about the unfolding situation in one of God’s created nations, take that information to Him in prayer and remember His command to “take heart” because He has already won.
(If you’re looking for groups that are on the ground assisting in practical ways in difficult situations, you can see some of the posts Yelena has shared or head to sites such as https://abcnews.go.com/International/ukraine-amid-russian-attacks/story?id=83156472 and https://time.com/6151353/how-to-help-ukraine-people/ for reputable organizations)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I'm Hannah - mama to two littles and dipping my toes into my next right thing as I learn to navigate this chapter God has called me to. I generally hover in that space between consciousness and coffee as I try to take each day knowing I need grace to get through it. I'm a lover of good words, strong conversation, a well-worn thrift store and a doughy doughnut.