After Russia’s invasion, we began to hear from Woodland podrishioners in Ukraine, and we have been praying earnestly for them.
When we see the horrors of war, we may wonder: do our prayers make a difference? The answer is yes! As followers of Jesus, we have “say-so” in this world, and our prayers do change things. Because of that, we are sharing a list of prayer requests based on what we have heard from sisters and brothers in Ukraine.
We are also including email excerpts from podrishioner Olga Shcherbakova, who has been sharing her story with us. She has written, “Thank you all for continued prayers. I believe that mountains are being moved because of all the prayers of God’s children.”
Please pray for:
Peace
Pray for the invasion to end. Pray that international pressure and internal protests in Russia will force President Putin to withdraw the Russian army. Pray that low morale among Russian soldiers would cause them to lay down their arms.
Comfort
Pray for the hearts of individuals and communities who are afraid and suffering. Pray that the Prince of Peace and the God of all Comfort will fill Ukrainians with awareness of his presence.
Olga shared, “There is so much pain in my heart, my people’s hearts … Frankly speaking, from time to time I have fear crawl into my heart when I think about how things may unfold in the near future. And then I pray and ask God to fill my heart and mind with His peace. And He does.”
Physical Needs
Pray for those in need of food, water, clothing, medicine, and shelter in freezing weather. Pray that humanitarian organizations will be able to deliver aid. Pray for the volunteers helping internal and external refugees. Pray for ordinary Russians who will be hard hit by sanctions.
Refugees
Over two million people have fled Ukraine as refugees, while hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced. Pray for the people making their way out of the country, who face a difficult journey. Pray that ceasefires hold and the humanitarian corridors opened for refugees to leave will not be bombed. Pray for refugees as they adjust to life in foreign countries. Pray for the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, the sick, and those who do not have the resources to leave.
Olga wrote, “It took us four days, three nights and many wonderful people and miracles and I and my girls are in Poland now. My husband stayed in Ukraine. So did my Mom and sister, brother and many friends. Please, pray for them. Many of them are in very dangerous life threatening situations. My heart hurts because of that. I don’t know if my children will ever see their father again, if I will see my husband, my mom or my friends.”
Leaders
Pray for President Putin’s heart to change. Pray for wisdom for Ukrainian President Zelensky and his government. Pray for the leaders of other countries as they weigh how to respond.
The Church in Ukraine
Pray for the leaders of local churches as they shepherd their congregations. Pray that the Body of Christ would continue to be a source of hope and life.
Defeat of the Enemy
Lastly, we are fully aware that the citizens of a country are not the true enemy. Pray for the defeat of the evil one who loves to pit people against each other.
Olga wrote, “Thank you for supporting us in this battle against the evil one … One thing I am convinced of is that this is not a battle against flesh and blood only. This is spiritual as well. Please, join us as God’s united people to stand against the evil one and his plans. Lord Jesus is the Conqueror!”
These are amazing details to be praying over the Ukrainians right now. Thank you for sharing!!
Beautiful. Thanks for this prayer outline so that we can all be praying for these things. In the Mighty Name of Jesus! Who has won the spiritual war, may all our hearts bow to him now…. Praying that every tongue will confess that HE is LORD through any and all circumstances!
I thought of a couple other things that need prayer in Ukraine.
Please add:
Pray for the animals both companion and in the wild;
those lost and/or homeless; those in zoos or other types of confinement for entertainment;
those farmed animals left to die in CAFOs (factory farms) or in backyard farms or small farms;
those in pet stores;
those in the wild;
those in shelters or in foster care homes;
or any other situation where animals suffer.
Also, for the earth itself, undergoing such tremendous violence and destruction; the water ways being polluted, the sky and the earth polluted;
for the fish affected and oceans / ocean life that eventually is also affected by what man does on the land.
Revelation 11:18 “The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
And I thought of another group needing prayer:
Those who are risking their lives to go into Ukraine to save animals of all kinds;
to bring food and supplies to them.
And please pray for all those people and pets who leave together, that they get what is needed along the way and find shelter and respite together, and are not separated.
Pray for pets that get separated on the trek out of Ukraine, and the grief this will add to those who will now mourn their loss, too.