Anchored in Christ

When we don’t know what to pray in a certain situation, I recommend praying through the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. Here’s how you might pray the Lord’s Prayer for the Ukrainian church as they grapple with the conflict with Russia.

Hallowed Be Your Name

Father, You are to be praised now and forevermore. Even when the nations rage and foolish leaders flex, You remain sovereign on Your throne. You remain good. You laugh at the pride of earthly rulers who think they have power. Exalt Your name even through the great evil and destruction of war.

Your Kingdom Come

Would Your kingdom come in and through our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. I can’t imagine the hardship and fear they face, so we ask that You would strengthen them for kingdom work and open many doors for the spread of the gospel. Shatter the idols that tempt the church and cause idolaters to turn to You in faith and repentance. Would many who fear Putin be transformed by the gospel to only fear He who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Build up Your church and use these challenging days to bring salvation to many.

We also pray for Your kingdom to come by humbling the Russian leaders bent on death and destruction. Would they repent before You and trust in Christ; and if they don’t, force them to bow the knee in judgment.

Your Will Be Done

Father, we don’t know what’s coming next. Talk of World War III and atomic weapons have gripped the world with fear. But we know You reign supreme and nothing that happens is outside of Your control. We pray that You would stop senseless war and bring peace. But ultimately we know Your plans for the world often involve hardship and using evil for greater purposes. We remember this in the cross of the Lord Jesus. And so we plead, stop this war and bring peace.

Help our Ukrainian brothers live in freedom so the gospel can spread. And still we pray with the Lord Jesus for Your will to be done. We know You are good and Your steadfast love endures forever and that whatever You decide will be right when judged from eternity. So we praise You our King, Lord, and judge of all the earth. You will do what is right.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Lord, we cry out for the Ukrainian church to have great wisdom; wisdom to those deciding whether to stay, go, or to pick up arms; wisdom for the parents speaking to their children about the evils of war and the hope of Jesus; wisdom for government leaders in every step they take.

Strengthen pastors and missionaries to lead with faithfulness, courage, wisdom, and grace. Help Your church care for the poor, widows, and orphans who may be left behind or abused by others. Would Your Word be treasured more than ever in this country, and would we look back on this crisis as an outpouring of Your saving grace during dark times.

Forgive Us Our Debts as We Forgive Others

Father, we praise You for offering us total forgiveness in Christ. Cause these days to humble the prideful and make them desperate for Your forgiveness. Would the Ukrainian church as a whole cry out to You in repentant faith, and a faith ready to love their enemies and offer forgiveness.

Please grant the Ukrainian people an outpouring of love for the Russian people; even the troops who terrorize their country. Would the power of the gospel run through the Russian army as they also grapple with life and death and consider their sin before a holy God. Make Jesus real to Russian soldiers and citizens through the love of the Ukrainian church.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation, Deliver Us from Evil

Father, please keep our Ukrainian brothers and sisters free from the sins of anger, hatred, violence, and taking vengeance when that’s Your business. Would love for You and neighbor characterize the Ukrainian church. Keep them from both despair and prayerlessness, and cause their hearts to overflow with the living hope of Christ.

Deliver the Ukrainian church from all danger, from wicked men, from bombs and bullets, and from the evil one who wants to destroy Your good work in them. Cause the plans of wicked men to crumble.

Father, we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You. We trust in Your gracious and powerful hand to work in amazing ways.

In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.